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
Davis Family Films: Clacton-On-Sea, Trafalgar Square and Manor House (1963)
Ice cream on a London estate, Westminster landmarks and a seaside holiday feature in this great home movie from the 1963.
From the collection of:
Overview
Shot in 1963, this home movie starts on a local authority estate somewhere in North London with children playing and a family eating ice cream on the balcony. There are then lovely scenes from a park, probably Finsbury and shots of central London showing several London landmarks – Trafalgar Square, Big Ben – and streets unspoilt by traffic and extended glimpses of a family holiday in Clacton.
This film from the Davis Family Films archive was, like others, found in their old family home of Stanhope Gardens off Green Lanes by the new inhabitant. It seems this film predates the move to Stanhope Gardens, when the family were living on a London estate. There are great scenes from the balcony of children playing below – this is what idealistic planners imagine high-rise living to be like – and also some lovely shots from the park, where the youngest daughter is playing. The final scenes are from Clacton, a popular holiday destination for East Londoners, and show the family on the beach and outside their mobile home. Bruce Castle Museum
Related
Watch for free
Gay Rights Gay Rights
Current affairs 1986 7 mins Location: Coventry
Two councils with two different approaches to LGBT rights.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Second Film Of Stanhope Gardens; Lord Mayor’s Show, Haringey and City (1966) Davis Family Films: Second Film Of Stanhope Gardens; Lord Mayor’s Show, Haringey and City (1966)
Amateur film 1966 6 mins Silent Location: Harringay
James Bond, Graham Hill, Winston Churchill and St Paul’s Cathedral all feature in this brilliant home movie from the Davis Family Film collection.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Dympna & Richard, First Film of Stanhope Gardens, Haringey (1965) Davis Family Films: Dympna & Richard, First Film of Stanhope Gardens, Haringey (1965)
Amateur film 1965 4 mins Silent Location: Harringay
Cracking costumes, including a Chinese dragon, a mermaid and a giant milk bottle that looks like a space rocket, feature in this home movie of a 1965 Tottenham street parade.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Mum's Funeral, Haringey and Porthcawl (1964) Davis Family Films: Mum's Funeral, Haringey and Porthcawl (1964)
Amateur film 1964 5 mins Silent Location: Harringay
Despite the sad subject matter, this is a sweet film with great shots of south Wales scenery and opening with a family sun-worshipping session in London.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Maisie's Funeral, Beckenham, Haringey, London (1965) Davis Family Films: Maisie's Funeral, Beckenham, Haringey, London (1965)
Amateur film 1965 5 mins Silent Location: Harringay
Following film of a funeral at Beckenham crematorium, this home movie shows Christmas in London.
Watch for free
Tony Buys a Bike Tony Buys a Bike
Promotional 1942 17 mins Silent Location: Harringay
A lucky schoolboy gets a brand new bike for Christmas in this charming wartime promotional film.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.