Furry Dance Aka Furry Dancer (1955)

Helston, Cornwall. M/S of clock on a building reading 12 o’clock (noon). Camera tilts down to show brass band passing though the crowd. The band is followed by the dancers in costumes. High angle long shot of the dancers dancing through the crowd. This is traditional annual Furry Dance believed to have been descended from a pagan ritual - “a triumph of life, Spring after Winter... the passing from Darkness into Light.“ L/S of a crowded street decorated with flags. Band and dancers are seen dancing and playing through the masses. L/S of the great Cornish street with stone houses. Band is leading and dancers are seen further up the street. M/S of the band passing the people while playing. L/S of the dancers, now youngsters in white. Voiceover talks about the outfits of the dancers and who the participants are. This is the Children’s Dance. The principal dance starts at midday (seen earlier) and for this occasion men wear top hats and morning suits and women wear their prettiest dresses and hats. Suc