The Pear Tree

The Pear Tree Pub and the entertainment it provides for its patrons.

The first film, in black and white, begins with exterior shots of the Pear Tree lit up at night. Interior shots of the public house show shots of people, including women, drinking. There are shots of a women's darts match and further pub shots before shots of a men's darts match. A man plays the piano and a group stand around and sing. This scene becomes a little rowdy. The second film, in colour, begins with a shot of the Greene King plaque and the pub sign on the side of the Pear Tree public house. Cars are parked outside. A jump cut is used to achieve the appearance of a group of men suddenly appearing outside the pub. All carry drinks. The camera zooms in a little and pans along the line. There are close up shots of faces, including one man pulling faces at the camera through a window. 'Trick' camerawork makes a man's pint of beer disappear. The third film, also shot in colour, shows scenes from a little girl's sixth birthday party. There are interior shots of the function room. There are shots of the food on the table and then of the birthday cake. A woman lights the candles and burns her fingers. A girl blows out the candles. There is a shot of the children, all girls, sitting around the table. A woman holds a baby. A group of women hand around food. There are shots of a grandmother with the baby before further shots of the party. The women blow up balloons. The children play outside. The final shot is of a family group.

Featured Buildings

The Pear Tree Public House

Background Information

Cyril Clements ran the Pear Tree pub in West Row, Suffolk. It was a popular village pub and also a favourite watering hole for the nearby US Air Force personnel stationed at Mildenhall. One regular, called 'Tex' was a keen cinematographer and Cyril was delighted when he offered to film his daughter Sandra's 6th Birthday Party. This film, shot in what, at the time, was rare colour footage, is a wonderful record and treasured momento of a little girl's special day. Sandra's mother Dorothy organised this special party for her daughter and school chums and made not only the delicious spread of sandwiches and fancies but also Sandra's beautiful party frock. Colour film was at a premium during and after the war years but USAAF had access to supplies which accounts for many war time films held in the archives. The american, Tex, was clearly a talented filmmaker using 'trick' shots for the party food and extra lighting to film inside in the pub's Club Room where the party took place.