HERE ARE some strange goings-on in a still from a fragment of early cinematographic film, as homely characters amuse bystanders in an ordinary street. Just possibly make could lie with local entrepreneur Fred Simpson.

Fred Simpson’s two Keighley drapery and furniture emporiums burned down under similar circumstances in 19 eight and 1908 and 1910, respectively, both being fully insured, with some inflammable dresses conveniently taking the blame. In 1911. Mr Simpson opened his “spacious” Oxford Hall Picture House up Oakworth Road.

Here he made his own short comedy films, using local people and locations. Obviously, these were not subtle, some featuring a character called Dr Killem. Decades later, an eyewitness described filming as “folk running round the back streets with dustbin-lids”.

Sadly Fred Simpson did not prosper. By 1927, a solicitor was informing a rueful Oxford Hall shareholder that he had not “been able to hear where Mr Simpson is and further wherever he is I do not think you will stand any chance of getting any money out of him”.