News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 16th Year

Issue

Issue No.

7

Date Released

Mar 1963

Length of issue (in feet)

946

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. MORE POWER
• 2. SELF RESCUERS
• 3. BRETBY MAGIC
• 4. SIGN OF THE TIMES

Story

Story No. within this Issue

3 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: 20 year-old Alan Bottril, an NCB welder and plater is also a magician.
NCB Commentary - At the Coal Board’s Area Workshops at Swadlincote, near Burton-on-Trent, 20-year old Alan Bottrill is a welder and plater. Alan is also a magician.
He is the holder of the Sir Julian Cahn Cup for 1962-63, the highest award of the Leicester Magic Circle - when you get that high, you’ve practically disappeared yourself.
Alan and his assistant, Ann Prime, recently entertained at Swadlincote Central Workshops Dinner Dance and Cabaret, which was held in the Concert Hall at the Coal Board’s Central Engineering Establishment.
Alan and Ann hope to marry this summer - other engagements permitting.
While we were at the Central Conjuring Establishment - I beg your pardon - Engineering Establishment, we asked Alan to produce something which might be useful underground.
And, heigh presto - he came up with a model of the Mark II Ripping Machine, for driving underground roadways.
Yet another example of Bretby magic.

Keywords

Mining; Performing arts

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
The British National Film Catalogue   Vol.1 1963, p.55
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Camera

John Reid

Commentator

John Slater

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit

Cutter

Rhonda Small