Oss Oss Wee Oss (1953)

Oss Oss Wee Oss (1953) poster

Padstow, a fishing village on the coast of Cornwall, celebrates May Day with an ancient custom: two osses (hobby-horses) dance through the town streets accompanied by drums and accordions. All Padstownians participate in the event, which has now become a tourist attraction drawing over tens of thousands of annual visitors. Folklorists Alan Lomax and Peter Kennedy and filmmaker George Pickow collected footage at the festival in 1951, producing a pioneering work in the use of sound, low-light photography, and conversational presentation of narrative. A favorite of Margaret Mead, who used it in her classes, the film circulated widely and continues to have influence today, especially in the neo-Pagan community.

Director: Alan Lomax
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 12 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Production: Folk Films, English Folk Dance and Song Society
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en

Keywords

short film

More Films by Director: Alan Lomax
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oss Oss Wee Oss about?
Padstow, a fishing village on the coast of Cornwall, celebrates May Day with an ancient custom: two osses (hobby-horses) dance through the town streets accompanied by drums and accordions. All Padstownians participate in the event, which has now become a tourist attraction drawing over tens of thousands of annual visitors. Folklorists Alan Lomax and Peter Kennedy and filmmaker George Pickow collected footage at the festival in 1951, producing a pioneering work in the use of sound, low-light photography, and conversational presentation of narrative. A favorite of Margaret Mead, who used it in her classes, the film circulated widely and continues to have influence today, especially in the neo-Pagan community.
Who directed Oss Oss Wee Oss?
Oss Oss Wee Oss was directed by Alan Lomax.
Who stars in Oss Oss Wee Oss?
Oss Oss Wee Oss stars Charlie Chilton, Charlie Bate.
How long is Oss Oss Wee Oss?
Oss Oss Wee Oss has a runtime of 12m (12 minutes).
What genre is Oss Oss Wee Oss?
Oss Oss Wee Oss is a Documentary film.
Where was Oss Oss Wee Oss produced?
Oss Oss Wee Oss was produced in United Kingdom.