This film is part of Free
Tragedy of Sam
A eulogy to Sam, the London Zoo polar bear, who is due to be put down due to ill health
Overview
Sam the polar bear had been a fixture at London Zoo for 24 years. Two years earlier before this item a Topical Budget newsreel hinted that all was not well. Now, the newsreel reports he has been put down - or, as a title card more bluntly puts it, "shot at dawn to end his infirmities".
The item doesn't show anything so indelicate as the actual shooting, preferring to create the impression that the rest of the animals are in mourning. According to the alliterating titles, Mr Brown Bear is broken-hearted, while Mr Grizzly grieves, though the group of distraught children shown later on do a rather more convincing impression of misery.
Related
New Architecture at the London Zoo New Architecture at the London Zoo
Documentary 1937 16 mins Silent Location: Whipsnade
Penguins get the VIP treatment in this artistic look at the Zoo's visionary 1930s revamp.
Jane at the Zoo Jane at the Zoo
School programme and Educational film 1959 8 mins Location: Regent's Park
Jane is taken to London Zoo by her Daddy and learns that she should use her eyes and ears just like the animals – always on the watch for danger.
Work at St. Dunstan's Work at St. Dunstan's
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Regent's Park
Activities at St. Dunstan’s hostel for blind soldiers in Regent’s Park.
The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London
Amateur film 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Richmond
Join the Torrens family as they cram in as many sights as possible in their short trip to London - taking in Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens, the Tower of London and polar bears
London Symphony London Symphony
Documentary 1955 18 mins Location: Regent's Park
Impressionistic glimpses of London life from early morning to rush hour
Sally the Sparrow Sally the Sparrow
Documentary 1945 9 mins Location: Camden Town
Explore London Zoo with one of its greediest residents, Sally the sparrow.
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.
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.
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.
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.