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
Kench Family Films: 1966, Redbridge and West End (1966)
Ilford parades, Post Office Tower views as well as weddings, birthdays and Christmas all feature on this fantastic home movie from Redbridge in 1966.
From the collection of:
Overview
There’s a wonderful selection of clips in this home movie, including some marvellous shots of London taken from the top of the recently opened Post Office Tower and also of a parade through the centre of Ilford featuring splendid decorated floats. Also captured are several family occasions, including a 21st birthday, a wedding and Christmas.
There’s a lot to enjoy on this 16-minute film. The Ilford parade is one highlight, showing what seems to be Scouts and Guides in well-decorated floats passing Ilford’s rare regional branch of Selfridges. But the undoubted highlights are the shots from the Post Office Tower – first filmed from a distance on Tottenham Court Road – which show landmarks such as Regent’s Park, Euston Station, Senate House and Centre Point from the top of the tower. There’s also a nice shot of the viewing platform interior, showing people taking photographs of the view.
Related
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive
Public Information Filler 1963 1 mins
Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party
Santa Claus Santa Claus
Trick film 1898 1 mins Silent
These Victorian children's Christmas wishes come true in a very special early British film
Ilford Ilford
Amateur film 1957 46 mins Location: Ilford
Ilford's past, present and a 'Kodachromed' future are all here in this epic amateur portrait of the town, made in the mid-50s.
Relay round Ilford Relay round Ilford
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Extraordinary shorts and exhausted runners feature in this short newsreel showing highlights of a 40-mile relay race round Ilford.
Sons of the Soil Sons of the Soil
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Ilford's Fairlop Plain provides the battlefield for ploughing matches between local hands and Essex outsiders.
Village life in wartime Cobham Village life in wartime Cobham
Amateur film 1944 15 mins Silent Location: Cobham
You'd never know there was a war on in sleepy Cobham until you see the soldiers - otherwise life goes on at a slow pace in this beautifully bucolic corner of Kent.
Auxiliary Fire Service Practice, Ilford (1942) Auxiliary Fire Service Practice, Ilford (1942)
Amateur film 1942 6 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Short amateur film showing the men of the Auxiliary Fire Service in Ilford in training in Ilford during the Second World War.
Kench Family Films: 1965 Part 2, Redbridge and West End (1965) Kench Family Films: 1965 Part 2, Redbridge and West End (1965)
Home movie 1965 14 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Beatles puppets, West End windows and an Ilford family Christmas all feature in this eclectic home move from Redbridge in 1965.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.