Men of Rochdale (1944)

Drama-documentary celebrating 100 years of Co-operative shops

Director:

Compton Bennett

Writers:

Reg Groves, George Jacob Holyoake (book)

Stars:

Brefni O'Rorke, Julian Somers, Margaret Withers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brefni O'Rorke	...	Miles Ashworth
Julian Somers	...	Charles Howarth
Margaret Withers	...	Mrs. Howarth
Scott Harold	...	James Smithies
Mollie Munks	...	Mrs. Smithies (as Molly Monks)
John Boxer	...	William Cooper
Patric Curwen	...	James Standring
Beatrice Varley	...	Mrs Taylor
Janet Burnell	...	Mrs. Tweedale
Cecil Brock	...	Sam
Jill Evans	...	Sally
Maxwell Foster	...	Old Ben
Frank Crawshaw	...	James Leach
Bryan Herbert	...	Mr. Butterworth (as Brian Herbert)
John Laurie	...	Mr. Ferguson

Storyline

Drama-documentary celebrating 100 years of Co-operative shops

---

Genres:

Short | Drama | History

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1944 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Co-Operative Wholesale Society (CWS), Verity Films Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

42 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

Good explanation of the origins of the cooperative movement

This film, made at a healthy £15000 budget, uses the voice of George Jacob Holyoake to explain in detail the origins and progress of the cooperative movement and the ghosts of the Rochdale pioneers to call the public to complete their work. The film considers the industrial conditions in Lancashire in the 1840s and the response of working class people to those conditions. Opposition to the movement by private traders is shown. There are moments of panic where there is a threatened run on the Pioneer's share capital which is solved by innovation. The film shows and lists the names of the pioneers and shows their (long suffering?) wives. It also pays tribute to Annie, the movement's 'unknown soldier'.

Worth a look for its historical and documentary value.