This striking monochrome image, captured on 23 October 1937, outside Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, is a fascinating glimpse into the city’s long history with filmmaking. The photograph, preserved as a glass plate negative in the Herald collection, shows a scene featuring a horse-drawn carriage, indicative of early 20th-century transportation, against the backdrop of the museum’s distinctive Indo-Saracenic architectural style—part of the Royal Pavilion estate.
The Carriage and the 1930s Context
The carriage in the foreground appears to be a hansom cab, a common mode of transport in British cities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These two-wheeled vehicles, designed for urban travel, were typically used as taxis, driven by a cabman seated behind the passenger compartment. By the late 1930s, such carriages were already being phased out in favour of motor taxis, making this image a nostalgic link to an era on the cusp of modernisation.
The driver’s top hat and formal attire also suggest an effort to recreate an earlier time period, possibly for a historical film production, as the city was already a known hub for the film industry. Several onlookers, visible to the right, add to the sense of an event taking place—potentially a film shoot or staged scene.
Brighton’s Longstanding Role in Filmmaking
Brighton has been at the heart of British film history since the 1890s, when pioneering filmmakers such as George Albert Smith and James Williamson—known as part of the Brighton School of Filmmaking—developed some of the earliest narrative and editing techniques in cinema. These innovators experimented with close-ups, continuity editing, and special effects, contributing to the global evolution of film language.
By the 1930s, Brighton remained an important location for British film productions, drawing filmmakers who utilised its seaside setting, historic buildings, and grand architecture. The museum itself, along with the Royal Pavilion estate, has been featured in multiple productions over the decades.
Filmmaking in Brighton: 1890s to Today
From its pioneering roots in early silent cinema, Brighton has continued to be a key location for filmmakers. Productions shot in Brighton range from classic British films to contemporary television dramas and independent productions. The city’s vibrant arts scene, historical settings, and connection to British cinema history make it a timeless choice for directors and cinematographers.
This photograph not only captures a moment in Brighton’s filmmaking history but also serves as a testament to its rich cultural heritage, where past and present continue to intersect through the lens of the camera.
Images courtesy of Brighton & Hove Museums.
