Welcome to my second newsletter which has a film theme to it.
1942
Emily Munro, the estimable heid film buff at the National Library of Scotland, has raised an interesting question about digitally enhancing archive film.
It’s all about a documentary The Western Isles (14 m) released in war-time. despite Government attempts to ban it.
One scene which shows women waulking Harris Tweed and singing in Gaelic has been digitally enhanced.
Emily prefers the original version (comes in at 8m 50s). It was shot by the legendary cinematographer Jack Cardiff and that shines through.
But judge for yourself.
1918
Glamour Daze has used the same AI technology to digitise other films – in this case adding sound and colour to a women’s football match. I think it is very good and this is an with lots more archive material.
1949
Paul Robeson sings to miners at Woolmet Colliery and later at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. Lots more on him in a brilliant resource from the splendid Rare Tunes
2021
This is Me as a Gerbil*. Not a pretty sight. I was among the supporters interviewed by Phyllis Stephen, editor of the Edinburgh Reporter about our campaign for a safe path. It was great that Phyllis got on her bike to make the journey. A few days later some ba…rd stole her bike.
*Geriatric Bloke In Lycra
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Categories: history on the web
The History Company 
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