This film is part of Free
Foundling Hospital Sports Day
A sports day gives the young residents of the Foundling Hospital a chance to let off steam
1899 2 mins Silent
Overview
Sack races, three-legged races, a tug of war, barrel swings and lots of gleeful running about. In this early multiple-shot film, the Victorian children at Thomas Coram's pioneering Foundling Hospital in London are making the most of their sports day, under the watchful eye of the suited and top-hatted gentlemen who are acting as officials. The Foundling Hospital opened in 1741 for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children". It closed in 1954
This film was made by Charles Goodwin Norton, a stationer from Surrey, who started out in moving images by staging spectacular magic lantern shows. In 1896 Norton purchased a camera and became one of the country's first filmmakers.
Subjects
Related
Topicals
Factory Chimney Fire Factory Chimney Fire
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
A veritable Victorian Towering Inferno.
Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
Jolly boating weather as the hordes descend on Henley for the Regatta.
Bumping Race (Cambridge May Races) Bumping Race (Cambridge May Races)
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Cambridge
University teams navigate a bend on the river Cam in no ordinary rowing race.
Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898 Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
A little piece of football history from the people's game: possibly the earliest surviving game on film
Launch of H.M.S. Albion Launch of H.M.S. Albion
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Blackwall
The launch of H.M.S Albion, which was marred by the collapse of a gangway which resulted in many spectators drowning.
Solar Eclipse Solar Eclipse
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins
The magic of a real solar eclipse filmed by a famous magician
London
Pall Mall and Hyde Park Corner Pall Mall and Hyde Park Corner
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Capital scenes thanks to Victorian filmmakers
London Street Scene London Street Scene
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Location: London
Vivid images of Victorian London - but where?
Sir George White Leaving the London Hippodrome Sir George White Leaving the London Hippodrome
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: London
Londoners turn out in their thousands to greet the returning Boer War hero after his famous defence of Ladysmith
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent Location: London
The Band of the First Life Guards approaches Westminster Bridge during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
London Street Scenes London Street Scenes
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Horse-drawn traffic on one of London's busiest thoroughfares
Lord Roberts' Arrival in London Lord Roberts' Arrival in London
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Location: London
A conquering Boer War hero enjoys a rapturous homecoming parade
New
Marli Siu introduces Sweet Bean Marli Siu introduces Sweet Bean
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Actor Marli Siu (Anna and the Apocalypse, Run) introduces Naomi Kawase’s calming culinary drama.
Hannah Strong introduces Red Road Hannah Strong introduces Red Road
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Associate Editor for Little White Lies Magazine Hannah Strong introduces Andrea Arnold’s stunning debut feature.
Lydia West introduces Second Coming Lydia West introduces Second Coming
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Lydia West (It’s A Sin) introduces debbie tucker green’s ethereal, warm and human debut feature.
In Separation In Separation
Drama 1965 5 mins
The powerful, multifaceted spirt and energies of the revolutionary 1960s are channelled in dynamic, monochrome microcosm.
Susan Wokoma introduces Prevenge Susan Wokoma introduces Prevenge
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Susan Wokoma introduces Alice Lowe’s slasher comedy Prevenge, reflecting on Lowe’s journey making and starring in the film while pregnant, and her rich palette of classic influences.
Enverounen Enverounen
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 15 mins
An elderly man takes a hypnotic journey through his memories in the moments before his death.