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Bollywood-on-Thames: East meets West in a tale of two loves in 70s London
Comedy 1969 112 mins
This is modern romance, East-meets-West, Britain-meets-Bollywood style! Rajesh is torn between Rita, his cosmopolitan London girlfriend, and Sita, the Indian bride his mother has arranged for him. When his mother falls ill, Rajesh reluctantly agrees to marry Sita to please her. But their marriage struggles as Sita's traditional, homely ways are at odds with Rajesh's Western inclinations. If only Sita was more like Rita! (Hint: both Rita and Sita are played by the same actress, Simi Garewal.) Who wins in East versus West?
This surprisingly early British-Bollywood fusion is a real discovery from the archives, tackling the age-old conflict between Eastern traditions and Western temptations for those torn between two cultures in London. It's set in the leafy suburbs of West London, with vibrant song and dance numbers unfolding in parks reminiscent of the rolling fields of the Punjab and accompanied by the romantic drone of planes flying in and out of Heathrow. Packed with epic Bollywood twists and turns, some proto-disco dancing, culture clashes by the bucketload and a few painful party moments, Pasand Apni Apni is an energising treat. The 1983 film of the same name is entirely unrelated, though ironically, it was inspired by a British film, Happy Go Lovely! (1951).
Science Fiction 1929 68 mins
Extravagantly-mounted futuristic sci-fi, now with added sound, although still with the world's two power blocs at loggerheads.
Comedy 1948 71 mins
AWOL for more than half a century, but now back on parade, this cheery army comedy is a showcase for variety star Hal Monty and a young Max Bygraves.
War 1927 109 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
Dramatic reconstruction of the Somme
War 1921 13 mins Silent
Dramatisation of the popular conspiracy theory surrounding the mid-WWI death of Lord Kitchener.
Crime 1936 72 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Kidnapping, mobsters and moonshine! Is this a story is set in a country, which exists only in the minds of those who have never been to Ireland?
Drama 1986 83 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
The bar flies prepare for the big day with betting, boozing and banter. But will best man Billy break more than his ma’s heart before the wedding?
Advert 1934 16 mins Location: London
Romance blossoms over a discussion of fluid flywheels in this cinema ad for BSA cars directed by Zoltan Korda.
Amateur film 1964 4 mins Silent Location: Havant
Watch as the countryside around Havant disappears under the tarmac of the future M27 - with nostaligic shots of Langstone Harbour and a very leafy Pook Lane
Amateur film 1985 3 mins Location: London
Relive the 1980s in this nostalgic film from Alan Stingemore - featuring a variety of flagship cinemas, the relocation of Eros as well as a few cinemas that have since disappeared
Amateur film 1977 11 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Tony Mitchell captures a variety of events during Jubilee year - including day trips to Brighton and a bunting covered London as well as an accident at an airshow
Amateur film 1936 20 mins Silent Location: Brentford
Enjoy a nostalgic trip down river with members of the St Faith community - with tea at Kew, feeding penguins at London Zoo and lots of chatter - all in sign language!
Amateur film 1965 12 mins Location: London
Join the Clague family as they zoom up an empty M1 to Stratford upon Avon, Long Itchington and Coventry - a city reborn after its 1940 destruction
Current affairs 1980 5 mins Location: Thurlestone
Gerald Haycock embarks on a torture and pleasure weekend and goes from reward-based hard exercise to eating and drinking.
Current affairs 1968 4 mins Location: Nettlecombe
Estate once owned by the father of King Harold, Godwin has never been bought or sold.
Current affairs 1965 6 mins Location: Exeter
Women are put through their deportment paces and all in the name of etiquette.
Current affairs 1969 3 mins Location: Perranporth
Andy Price checks out how to make your own surfboard.
Home movie 1960 8 mins Silent Location: Nantyglo
The sun shines on the school sports, ensuring good trade for the ice-cream vendor; in winter it makes the snow that halts train and car sparkle.
Current affairs 1962 3 mins Location: St Mawgan
RAF 22 Squadron provides air-sea rescue for the South West with new HAR 10 Whirlwind helicopters.
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