The Mundesley Sanatorium

The film was made by Dr. Day to accompany his talks and shows various aspects of the Sanatorium.

The opening shots are in colour, initially faded and these show the countryside surrounding the sanatorium, the golf course and aspects of the sanatorium itself. Film taken of the orchard and the grounds shows tulips planted in rows, possibly being grown commercially. The film shows the woods and the wooden convalescent chalets in the grounds.The next sequence is in black and white and shows a patient undergoing chest x-rays. The results of the x-rays are shown. The next sequence shows the kitchens where a large number of chefs prepare food. This is distributed by nurses and waitresses to the private rooms and to the patient and staff dining rooms. Some of the food is carried in a heated trolly to out lying pats of the Sanatorium. There are distant views of the Sanatorium and some scenes of Gimmingham village, showing the duck pond. A man takes a walk through the woods. The recreational facilities of the Sanatorium feature. These include darts, a good library and a putting match between patients and staff. Some of the patients are wearing coats. There is some trick camera work showing the ball to take a roundabout route into the hole. A sequence follows a patient as he goes skating on the frozen Westwick Pond. He is shown falling over and then skating competently. He is brought back to the Sanatorium by car. There are shots of a mock steeplechase with bookies, the tote and commentators. There are scenes from the terraces, showing the patients' faces in close up. There are also scenes from an open air performance of `The Taming Of The Shrew'.The final sequence is also in colour. It shows snow scenes around the Sanatorium and the surrounding countryside.

Featured Buildings

The Mundesley Sanatorium

Intertitles

Putting match. 'Patients V Staff.' Anticipation.Realisation.

Other Places

Gimmingham; Westwick

Background Information

The Mundesley Sanatorium, for the treatment of tuberculosis, was founded by Dr Burton-Fanning in 1898. In the early 20th Century, Dr. Sidney Vere Pearson was employed as the resident physician. By 1935, when Dr. Day joined the staff, the Sanatorium could accommodate 80 patients. During World War II the Sanatorium moved to Cheshire, returning when hostilities ceased. The Sanatorium cost five guineas a week; six or seven for the good rooms.In the 1950s, with convalescent treatment for Tuberculosis unnecessary, the Sanatorium was bought by the National Health Service as a convalescent home and rehabilitation unit. Dr. Day became the director of the unit.The intertitles Anticipation and Realisation may be a reference to an advertisement for Fry's Five Boys Chocolate.