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
Princess Mary and the Babies
An Indian nurse and newborn babies greet Princess Mary at the British Hospital For Mothers And Babies in Woolwich.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film of Princess Mary, King George V’s third child and only daughter, visiting a maternity hospital in Woolwich is notable for three reasons: the crowd made up entirely of new mothers that greets her arrival; the Indian nurse (or midwife) dressed in a sari who converses with the princess in the ward; and the extremely awkward photocall on the steps of the hospital that ends the footage.
Related
Watch for free
Another Name for Power Another Name for Power
Documentary 1959 23 mins Location: Castle Donington
Light bulbs, television tubes and nuclear power stations: electrifying the world with AEI.
Watch for free
People with a Purpose People with a Purpose
Documentary 1939 16 mins Location: Woolwich
Documentary on the history of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society’s and its education programme inspired by the Rochdale Pioneers.
Watch for free
Leisure Time Groups Leisure Time Groups
Amateur film 1962 16 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
The good folks of Woolwich & Plumstead appear busiest at their leisure, even finding time to put this film together
Watch for free
Gunners Put up a Good Show Gunners Put up a Good Show
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
Charging horses and blazing guns at the Woolwich Garrison tattoo, leading to a toy soldier massacre.
Watch for free
Woolwich - The Prince Mobbed! Woolwich - The Prince Mobbed!
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
Hat-waving, barely controlled crowds surge around the Prince of Wales as he pops into Beresford Square market in Woolwich.
Watch for free
With the Queen at Woolwich With the Queen at Woolwich
Non-Fiction 1917 1 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
Women workers receive a visit from Queen Mary, as she inspects their work at the munitions factory in Woolwich.
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.