Biography of 'NAIRN, James S.'

Cinema manager, exhibitor and film-maker

Born: 1900, Glasgow
Died: 1982, Inverness

Nairn began his life in the cinema as a part-time projectionist in Pollokshields, Glasgow in 1915 and within a year was promoted to Chief Operator at a nearby cinema. His first managerial appointment was to the Savoy Cinema, Edinburgh in 1925, followed by the Regal, Stirling in 1934 and the Playhouse, Inverness in 1941 where he remained until retirement in 1972. He was appointed Northern Controller of Caledonian Associated Cinemas Ltd, and was one of the founders of the Edinburgh Film Society.

Nairn was known to many for his great showmanship and exhibiting skills, winning the Kinematograph Weekly certificate of Showmanship in 1933 and the Silver Lion from MGM for his publicity efforts. His hobby was cinematography. He claimed to be the first amateur to make a talkie in 1931. His work in filmmaking led him to be commissioned to film the King and Queen at Balmoral Castle in 1941 and advise Disney on a film about Nessie.

Nairn’s travelogue films were used by the Scottish Tourist Board and the Caledonian Society. He produced over forty local topical films for screening in the cinemas he managed and for other halls in the CAC circuit, including the record of construction of the Ritz cinema Edinburgh in 1929, the UK’s first purpose built talkie cinema. He was the inventor of the Walturdaw Cine Spot.

Researcher: Julie McCrone

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

50 hits

Asc Desc
	AROUND INVERNESS [0931] Add to my films Views of Inverness and surrounding countryside, including Culloden Moor, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness.		1946 silent bw
	BEE KEEPING IN THE NORTH [1454] Add to my films A demonstration of how to keep bees for heather honey.		1946 silent bw
	CONSTRUCTION OF THE RITZ CINEMA, EDINBURGH 1929 [0774] Add to my films The construction of the Ritz Cinema, from virgin site to opening day. The new projection facilities are shown and the cinema staff introduce themselves.	Onsite only	1929 silent bw
	CORONATION DAY PARADE, INVERNESS [1516] Add to my films On Sunday 31st of May 1953, a parade of Youth Organisations headed by pipebands marched through the streets of Inverness to celebrate Coronation Day.		1953 mute bw
	DEDICATION OF QUEEN'S PARK [0627] Add to my films The ceremony and parade to mark the Dedication of Queen's Park, Inverness. Provost J.M.Grigor takes the salute. Film includes shots of Inverness youth organisations and pipe bands entering Queen's Park.		1953 silent bw
	DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE TOWN HALL, ELGIN [1633] Add to my films Shots of the fire and the firemen fighting the blaze which destroyed Elgin Town Hall.	Onsite only	1939 silent bw
	DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK AND ROYAL ACADEMY SPORTS [0648] Add to my films The Duke and Duchess of York leaving Inverness railway station for Skye, 1934 and the Royal Academy Sports Day, 1950. [1934 item believed commissioned by Malcolm "Pop' Roberts, cinema manager, 1950 item made by Nairn, cinema manager]		1950 silent bw
	DUNFERMLINE CHILDREN'S GALA 1950 [1364] Add to my films General views of Dunfermline Children's Gala, including shots of the regal cinema, the parade and children playing.		1950 silent bw
	DUNFERMLINE CHILDREN'S GALA 1951 [1365] Add to my films Crowds line the streets as the children's procession passes on its way to the public park. Shots of people relaxing in the park, children playing games and picnicking.		1951 silent bw
	DUNFERMLINE CHILDREN'S GALA 1953 [1646] Add to my films Film of Dunfermline Week 1953 showing people celebrating Elizabeth II's coronation through the 50th Dunfermline Children's Gala. Representatives of schools and bands playing along the march route, then enjoying races and games in Pittencrieff Park.	Onsite only	1953 silent bw
	DUNFERMLINE CHILDREN'S GALA 1954 [1367] Add to my films The children's procession through the crowd lined streets of Dunfermline with a brass band playing. Shots of local schoolchildren outside school waving flags.	Onsite only	1954 silent bw
	DUNFERMLINE CHILDREN'S GALA DAY 1952 [1366] Add to my films Crowds line the main street of Dunfermline and in front of the Regal Cinema as the children's procession passes. Shots of people in the public park with children playing games and eating ice cream.	Onsite only	1952 silent bw
	ELGIN CITY AND BOYS' BRIGADE [2806] Add to my films A football match between Elgin City and an unidentified team, and the Inspection and Presentation of Colours of the Boys' Brigade (Inverness Battalion).		1935 silent bw
	ELGIN CITY v CLACHNACUDDEN [1463] Add to my films The North of Scotland cup, semi-final replay between Elgin City and Clachnacudden.		1935 silent bw
	ELGIN GALA WEEK 1950 [1468] Add to my films Coverage of Elgin Gala Week, including the children's fancy dress competition, parade and crowning of the Gala Queen.		1950 silent bw
	FALKIRK [1997] Add to my films Made as a promotional film for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow, it documents the history and industries of the town of Falkirk.		1938 silent bw
	FORTROSE CELEBRATES ITS 500th ANNIVERSARY [1515] Add to my films Coverage of the celebrations surrounding the 500th anniversary of Fortrose. Provost John Anderson receives the Burgh's new chain of office and the Countess of Middleton gains the Freedom of the Burgh.	Onsite only	1955 mute bw
	FUNERAL OF THE LATE MAJOR GENERAL LORD LOVAT [0640] Add to my films Coverage of Lord Lovat's funeral, Inverness-shire. February 1933.		1933 silent bw
	GLENFINNAN AND THE '45 [0638] Add to my films The Gathering at Glenfinnan in the Highlands to mark the 200th anniversary of raising the standard of James VIII of Scotland and III of England.	Onsite only	1945 sound bw
	GORDONSTOUN SCHOOL GARDEN FETE [0808] Add to my films Footage of Gordonstoun School garden fete. An obstacle race and various stalls are enjoyed by the boys. HRH Duke of Edinburgh attends the fete.	Onsite only	1949 silent bw
	HIGHLAND CASTLES [1784] Add to my films Inverness Castle, Castle Stuart, Castle Leys, Eilean Donan, Dunvegan, Achnacarry and Aldourie Castle are all seen together with their surrounding countryside.		1949 silent col
	HOMES FOR A HIGHLAND TOWN [4145] Add to my films Records the changes made to housing conditions in Inverness, showing the move away from old, crowded tenement conditions to the newly constructed housing estates with gardens and leisure amenities nearby. Also shows Inverness town centre.		1950 mute col
	HUNTLY GALA DAY [1373] Add to my films The last day of the week-long Huntly Gala Day Festival, with shots of the Gala queen and sports competitions, a bonfire and fireworks display. [The Gala was opened by singer Robert Wilson and Provost J Barron].		1951 silent bw
	INTER SCHOOL SPORTS DAY, INVERNESS [1553] Add to my films An inter-school sports day, Inverness.		1951 mute bw
	INVERNESS FESTIVAL YEAR 1951 [1474] Add to my films The two reels cover Inverness Festival Year and highlight open air gatherings, pipeband parades, and highland games.		1951 silent bw
	INVERNESS GALA QUEEN 1950 [1555] Add to my films The Inverness Gala Queen parade, 1950.		1950 mute bw
	INVERNESS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY [0807] Add to my films Memorial service and procession to commemorate Remembrance Sunday in Inverness.		1949 silent bw
	INVERNESS SWIMMING CLUB [1469] Add to my films Film illustrates various activities that are on offer at the Inverness Swimming Club, including the Ladies Formation Team, diving and the amateur swimming club.		1949 silent bw
	LOSSIEMOUTH CORONATION TREE PLANTING [1443] Add to my films The Tree Planting ceremony by Lossiemouth local dignitaries, including the Laird of Pitgavney and Provost Dean.		1953 mute bw
	MAIRI: The Romance of a Highland Maiden [1331] Add to my films Dramatised account of Mairi, a young girl in love with a Revenue Officer and caught up in a fight to catch smugglers		1912 silent bw
	MORAY SEA SCHOOL [1470] Add to my films Some of the activities enjoyed by boys at the Sea School including rowing, sailing, fishing and climbing. [Made as part of an appeal on behalf of the Sea School].		1950 sound bw
	MOVIEMAN: James Nairn's 60 Years of Cinema [4267] Add to my films MOVIEMAN follows the career of James S. Nairn who, for almost all his working life, aspired to the highest standards in cinema presentation.		1979 sound bwcol
	OPENING OF THE NEW QUEEN'S BRIDGE, PERTH [2609] Add to my films The opening ceremony of the new Queen's Bridge, Perth, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 10th October, 1960.		1960 mute bw
	PAGEANT OF INVERNESS [6761] Add to my films A dramatised pageant depicting the history of the burgh of Inverness, held at the Ness Islands pavilion in 1951.	Onsite only	1951 silent bw
	PLUSCARDEN PRIORY RESTORATION FETE [1442] Add to my films The Pluscarden Priory Restoration Fete at Cooper Park, Elgin with amusement stalls, pony rides and a tea tent. [see also ref. 2877].		1955 mute bw
	PRESENTATION OF FREEDOM OF BURGH OF DINGWALL [0596] Add to my films Provost Grigor presents the Freedom of the Burgh of Dingwall to Rt Hon Thomas Johnston PC and to Major John Stirling, MBE, of Fairburn.		1951 silent bw
	QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS, the [1513] Add to my films The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders' new recruits take part in a passing - out parade, Inverness, before going to join their Battalion at Dover.		1958 mute bw
	REMEMBRANCE DAY 1956 [0600] Add to my films Boys' Brigade march and address by the Lord Provost to commemorate Remembrance Day in Inverness. A wreath is laid at the War Memorial.		1956 silent bw
	ROYAL ACADEMY SPORTS [0626] Add to my films The Royal Academy's sports day, with the sack race, three legged race and high jump.		1951 silent bw
	SCOTTISH WEDDING, a [1704] Add to my films Wedding ceremony between the Hon. Flora Marjory Fraser (daughter of Lord Saltoun) to Captain Alexander Ramsay at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Fraserburgh.		1956 mute bw
	SHINTY IN THE HIGHLANDS [1972] Add to my films A shinty match in the Highlands between Kingussie v Newtonmore on 3rd February, 1934 which was abandoned nine minutes from the end, due to spectators rushing onto field after a dispute with the linesman after a Kingussie player was sent off. Footage of the replay match on 17th February. The games were for the Camanachd Cup.		1934 silent bw
	STIRLING CHARITIES DAY [0521] Add to my films Floats at the Charities Day held on 13th May, 1939, on behalf of Stirling Royal Infirmary. Fancy dress procession and charity queen.		1939 silent bw
	STIRLING: GATEWAY TO THE HIGHLANDS [0512] Add to my films Historical Stirling and its environs, including Stirling Bridge and Castle, Bannockburn, Beaton's Mill and the Trossachs.		1938 silent bw
	TAIN CARNIVAL 1937 [0883] Add to my films The procession and festivities of the Tain Carnival; the Carnival Queen is crowned, and awards prizes for fancy dress.		1937 silent bw
	TAIN CARNIVAL 1949 [0884] Add to my films The crowning of the carnival queen and procession of floats at the Tain Festival, 1949.		1949 silent bw
	TAIN CARNIVAL AND ELGIN GALA WEEK [0825] Add to my films Carnival Queens are chosen. Parade of pipe bands and floats.	Onsite only	1950 silent bw
	THURSO GALA WEEK 1953 [3721] Add to my films Thurso Gala Week, 1953. This locally produced film starts with some beautiful scenics of Thurso. It records the excitement of the Gala Procession, floats and banners, the crowning of the Queen and plenty of crowd shots. This year also coincided with the Royal Coronation of Elizabeth II.		1953 silent bw
	THURSO HIGH SCHOOL OPENING [1514] Add to my films Coverage of official opening of Thurso High School including footage of pupils at work in their classrooms.		1958 mute bw
	WINSTON CHURCHILL VISITS ABERDEEN [2797] Add to my films Winston Churchill, accompanied by his wife and daughter plant a tree in the home of Sir Thomas and Lady Jaffrey and the University of Aberdeen confers on him the Honorary Degree of LLD. [See also refs. 4025 and 4563].		1946 silent bw
	YOUTH SERVICES PARADE [0598] Add to my films Parade of youth services including Boy Scouts, Boys' Brigade, a girls' pipe band, Girl Guides and the Salvation Army. Provost Wotherspoon takes the salute at the Town House, Inverness.		1958 silent bw