The Parish Film ("Cassock and Chuckles") is  a "home movie" about church life at St Mary Magdalene that takes a light-hearted look at regular events such as choir practice, services, a fete in the vicarage garden, and a trip to the seaside. It was made between 1956 and 1959 by members of the congregation of the church. It mainly centres around the activities of the choirboys. They are shown singing, playing games, making a bonfire and socialising with each other, as well as with other members of the church. The Reverend Ronald Cooling – the vicar at the time the film was made – was a keen railwayman. The film shows him giving rides to children on his steam train around the old vicarage garden. Other events include the annual church fete and a trip to Lowestoft.

It is not known who was involved in filming the scenes. The whole film is about 35 minutes long, and can be seen in three parts on Steve Thompson’s You Tube channel. Each part is in colour without any sound. 

The film is of historical interest, for it reveals the original layout of the church, and the vicarage 20 years before the new hall was built and most of the vicarage land was sold off for development. The interior of the church has altered since those days – for instance the organ has been moved, many of the pews have been removed, the altar table replaced, and the old vestry converted into this meeting room.

The film was digitalised in 2018, and that year it was shown once again to the church congregation (a few of whom appear in the film).