Non-intrusive flow visualization using photochromic dye activation is applied to study the near-wall region around individual and coalescing pairs of Taylor bubbles rising in stagnant kerosene in a vertical 25.6 mm ID tube. Instantaneous velocity profile measurements have been performed in the liquid film flowing past the rising Taylor bubble. A simple predictive procedure for estimating film velocity is successfully implemented. New and interesting phenomena are observed primarily in the wake region that are of significance to slug flow modeling.