A Year to Remember: The 1950's (1959)
9h 50min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Using rare news footage and interviews from the incredible British Pathé archive, this extra-ordinary series provides a unique year by year look at what made the news of yesteryear. With a comprehensive hour long programme on each year of the 1950s, this 3 disc - set package provides the definitive insight into the decade that took us from post-war austerity to consumer boom. The morale-boosting Festival of Britain in 1951 was held to encourage commerce in challenging times - rationing was still in effect and the post-war baby boom come to fruition in the birth of 'teenage' culture. This sizeable younger population was making its new found spending power felt with the rise of 'Rock n Roll' and the emergence of coffee shops on street corners. Although the decade began with a Labour government with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister, the Conservatives would dominate the decade with Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden and Howard Macmillan all taking residence at 10 Downing Street. It was a challenging time for the politicians as they dealt with the Suez Canal Crisis, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, further H-Bomb testing and, closer to home, the horrific Harrow and Wealdstone train disaster. The whole country was also united in grief with the passing of King George VI, and then with pride as the masses witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was also a period marked by scientific and technological progress; the first Sputnik Satellite, the last ride on the London Tram, the Polio vaccination and, much to the dislike of motorists everywhere, the introduction of the parking meter. This collection also features some of the more light hearted events of the decade such as Bing Crosby playing golf in Scotland, Bolton Wanderers beating Manchester United to lift the FA Cup and the 100th Varsity Boat Race. Relive all these events and many, many more with "A Year To Remember: The 1950s" - Studio:
- Cherry Red
- Genres:
- Documentary