The British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians held their first magic convention in Cheltenham in 1931. The Davenport family were there in force, complete with not one, but two, cine cameras. One used 9.5mm film and the other 16mm. This film was shot with the 16mm cine camera. Good light was needed for filming, which explains why all the shots are out of doors. Many well-known magicians were captured on this film. Mr and Miss Tree can be seen mind reading, as well as John Ramsay with manipulations. There is also footage of the young American magician Roberta Byron who visited the UK in 1931 with her sister and parents. She proved to be very popular. For a good description of what went on at the convention, see Roy Field’s article The first of 80 British Ring conventions, Cheltenham 1931. Click on N2321.
For the 9.5mm film of this convention, go to N3506.