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This film is part of Free
A beautiful and evocative survey of cycling's golden years.
Documentary 1959 16 mins
Once upon a time, there was a man in a hurry... This charming assessment of Britain's bicycle industry illustrates the popularity of cycling both as transport (for business or pleasure) and for sport in the 1950s. Produced for the Foreign and Colonial Office at a time when one fifth of the population cycled, it showcases the forerunners of the modern bicycle and the very latest models.
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Government sponsored film 1945 4 mins
Cycling stunts and sight gags in a music hall curio.
Advert 1938 2 mins Silent
A fun selection of vintage animated adverts promoting some of Britain's leading bicycle brands.
Documentary 1980 26 mins
Alan Oakley is the man that gave Britain the iconic Raleigh Chopper bike. This 1980 profile finds him moving from drawing board to boardroom.
Documentary 1980 26 mins Location: Nottingham
Industrial relations and management's 'pound of flesh', on the shop floor of a large engineering firm in Nottingham.
Advert 1902 1 mins Silent
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.
School programme and Educational film 1972 21 mins Silent
Innovation on two wheels - presenting the latest model of the design classic that reinvented British commuting.
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
Amateur film 1949 3 mins Silent Location: London
An amazing film from 1949 that shows the colour returning to London's cheeks after six years of war - with Grenadier Guards, London Buses and the inevitable bombsites
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: London
Enjoy this atmospheric look at London in the 1930s - with a bustling river scene, busy streets, a boating lady and a Royal occasion
Amateur film 1947 12 mins Silent Location: London
Join these City workers as they return to work amid the ruins of post-war London - with views of St Paul’s and a rooftop distribution of parcels
Documentary 1951 28 mins Location: Trumpington
Parades of the finest farm animals and machinery: 10 miles of displays on a 150 acre site at the Royal Show in 1951, enjoyed by thousands of visitors including The Queen.
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Cambridge
Cambridge college and boating scenes captured by a 1930s visitor.
Documentary 1974 25 mins Location: Cambridge
Accompanied by specially composed songs, take a tour around Cambridge and hear the views of local residents, students and their teachers.
Amateur film 1945 2 mins Location: Stratford
Crowds carry a mock coffin of Adolf Hitler through the streets of Stratford while the Union Flag and bunting hang defiant above the WW2 rubble.
Amateur film 1953 2 mins Location: Green Park
Bunting-clad streets and regal decorations highlight the intricate artistry that went into decorating the iconic Coronation route.
Documentary 1937 17 mins Location: Oxford
Focusing on each town’s university colleges, main streets, gardens, statues and memorials with a narration of the history of the buildings, notable scholars, and traditions.
