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.
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The Circus Is Back, Olympia
Swoon at the costumes, laugh at the clowns and wonder at the elephants as the cast of the Bertram Mills Circus enter the ring for another stellar performance.
Promotional 1959 5 mins Silent
From the collection of:

Overview
Filmed by Associated Rediffusion for ITV, this film shows the huge cast of the Bertram Mills Circus entering the ring at Olympia during their big Christmas season. It’s a vast enterprise and some of the costumes are spectacular. Highlights include the clown with a kangaroo and the stiltwalkers, as well as several dazzling outfits and slightly sinister fancy dress.
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