Widdicombe Fair

About the film

A rendition of the traditional English folksong 'Widdicombe Fair', accompanied by animated drawings.

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Details

• Release year - 1947
• Production company - W.M. Larkins Studio, G.B. Instructional
• Composer - Hubert Clifford
• Drawings by - W.M. Larkins Studio
• Music Sung by - Dale Smith, male voice quartet
• Running time (minutes) - 05 mins 32 secs

Original description

'Two* song films in cartoon form. These films have been made as an experiment, in response to requests for films of a lighter nature.'

(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1946-47)

*Refers also to a companion piece, Lincolnshire Poacher.

Did you know?

• Also known by the title 'Tam Pierce', 'Widdicombe Fair' is a traditional English folk song (Roud #137) dating back to the 19th century.
• Widdicombe Fair was made in 1947, but was withdrawn from distribution no later than 1950 - suggesting that the experimental piece was deemed a failure, and that the film may never have actually been distributed abroad.
• Historians local to Widecombe have attempted to trace the Tom Cobley who served as inspiration for the song, with some success.

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