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
Video Player is loading.
Motorists Make Merry
Marvel at the daring stunts performed by motorcyclists at their grand gymkhana in Egham in 1929.
From the collection of:
Overview
A record of the ‘grand gymkhana’ held by the London Motor Club in Egham, showing a series of stunts performed by members. The first riders are genuinely impressive, a man and woman who perform a series of stunts. First, they ride with no hands, then standing, then with her on his shoulders and finally back-to-back. They’re followed by waterskiing on wheels: men perch precariously on wooden boards dragged at some speed by motorbikes. There are many spills.
Gymkhanas have been described as ‘light-hearted events designed to test members riding and other physical skills’ and were commonly held by motorcycling clubs, of which there were more than 50 in the south-east region in 1932. Motorcyclists drive under an arch, using a stick to tip a bucket of water that sits above their heads – the idea is they go so fast they don’t get wet. Most fail, especially the final group of eight men crammed aboard a single bike and sidecar, who are drenched by onlookers to general hilarity.
Related
Watch for free
Return to Action Return to Action
Documentary 1947 19 mins Location: Egham
Bricklayers, lawyers, teachers – disabled men and women are encouraged to retrain for new jobs
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.