London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
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Bertram Mills Circus, Olympia
Elephants, acrobats, clowns and cowboys all feature in this highlights reel from the annual Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia.
From the collection of:
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Overview
Shot on Kodak, this film captures scenes from the big annual Christmas show by the Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia. Beginning with the bright lights outside, it also features marching elephants, stilt-walkers (including a Mickey Mouse), tumblers and acrobats, trick cyclists and stunt horsemen. Interestingly, while some of the acts are strange or cruel to today’s eyes – particularly the horse carrying numerous riders – many would not look out of place in a modern circus.
Context: London Screen Archives
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