This film is part of Free
Smog
With Cold-War style chemical kits at the ready, valiant volunteers sample a deadly London 'peasouper' in this fascinating 1950s research film.
Overview
Civil Defence volunteers, kitted out with Cold-War style test tubes and vapour pumps, investigate air pollution during one of London's infamous and deadly winter 'smogs'. The findings from such testing led to the banning of dirty coal fires and the introduction of smokeless zones. Among the surprise appearances through the murk is the newly painted pub sign on SE11's celebrated 'Lambeth Walk'.
Related
Hints and Hobbies No.11 Hints and Hobbies No.11
Cinemagazine 1926 14 mins Silent
Jiu-jitsu for ladies, how to get ink off a white apron and other life essentials courtesy of the 'Hints and Hobbies' team.
Lobsters Lobsters
Documentary 1936 15 mins
Follow the life cycle of the king of crustaceans in this quirky documentary by Bauhaus artist László Moholy-Nagy.
Audrey Hepburn Test Audrey Hepburn Test
1952 6 mins Silent
The future Holly Golightly exudes a certain grace even for a modest screen test, in the earliest known colour footage of the timeless star.
Facts and Fancies Facts and Fancies
Documentary 1951 24 mins
Joan Collins gets to grips with the by-products of coal in her first screen appearance
Cabtrack The Direct Auto-control Personal Taxi Service Cabtrack The Direct Auto-control Personal Taxi Service
Government sponsored film 1972 16 mins Location: London
Could computer-controlled taxis solve the traffic crisis? Maybe not, but this film's a must for technology buffs (and fans of early electronic music).
Is This Your Life? Is This Your Life?
Amateur film 1957 9 mins Silent
An unusual and visually sophisticated commentary on the routine drabness and drudgery of everyday suburban existence.
Opening of the New Lambeth Bridge Opening of the New Lambeth Bridge
Non-Fiction 1932 3 mins Silent Location: Lambeth
A newsreel record of the opening of the second Lambeth Bridge by King George V in July 1932.
Festival in London Festival in London
Documentary 1951 10 mins Location: Lambeth Br
Experience the futuristic delights on offer at London's South Bank during the Festival of Britain
Drills at Southwark and New H.Q. Drills at Southwark and New H.Q.
Amateur film 1936 7 mins Silent Location: Southwark
Ladders, fire engines and ropes are inspected, before we get a long look at the Fire Brigade’s new Lambeth HQ from the river.
Free Time Free Time
Documentary 1972 9 mins Location: Lambeth
A colourful look at how residents of Lambeth spent their evenings in the early 1970s.
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.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
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.