[Uncle Mack's Minstrels]

  • A still of 'Uncle Mack’s Minstrels' (1930-1931) showing the Minstrels on stage
  • ID no. 1018
  • Accession no. K 940000 / 1
Date 1930 - 1931
Production Enid S. Briggs
Collection Enid Briggs
Genre/Type
Theme Seaside
Summary A compilation of several different performances, filmed by local amateur film-maker, Enid Briggs. The film has intertitles throughout.
Description Blackfaced entertainers perform songs and tap-dance routines on an open-air stage on the sands. The minstrels are named as Alex, Jack, John, Harry, Barney and Uncle Mack. The stage is decorated with posters advertising other performances - one of which is a 'White Night', a performance without their black 'burnt cork' make-up. Wearing all-in-one clown-style suits and mortarboards, routines are performed by individuals and as a group, accompanied by piano, drum and banjo. The audience are seen watching them, though some of the children are enjoying the performance from under the stage. A ticket-seller makes his way through the audience. Still with their blackened faces but wearing ordinary clothes over their costumes, the troupe act out a sketch - a comedy about a wedding set around an anvil. "The End".

The following scenes were filmed the previous year, 1930. "Bravo! Uncle Mack!" "Winners of a Weekly Dispatch £10 Prize". Wide-shot showing Uncle Mack's Minstrels on stage. The troupe perform a song together; the banjo player at the centre, the others strumming invisible banjos.

A woman leaves her house and walks along the promenade, her dog carrying a wooden sign advertising 'The Minstrels Benefit - Today at 3'. Another performance follows. The minstrels are listed as Harry, Alec, John, Jack, Ally and Uncle Mack.
Keywords Beaches; Entertainment; Performing Arts; Seaside Resorts
Location
Local Broadstairs
Regional Kent
National
Credits
Director Enid S. Briggs
Camera Enid S. Briggs
Participants
  • Alec; Alex; Ally; Barney; Harry; Jack; John; Uncle Mack; (Minstrels)
Format
Duration 10 mins 45 secs
Viewing copy
locations		 Screen Archive South East, University of Brighton;
University of Kent Library
This material is protected by copyright. Contact Screen Archive South East for access details.