Watts Family Films: Christmas 1974/Summer 1975/Christmas 1975, Epsom (1974/75)

A giant dolls house, new baby and paddling pool all feature in this film covering a calendar year in the London suburbs.

There’s a year of life in this nine-minute reel, starting with young child Karen exploring a snowy garden before an abrupt shift to a summer day. The summer of 1975 was a scorcher, and she cools off her doll in a paddling pool – her pregnant mother also soaks her feet. Next it’s Christmas 1975 and while the new-born baby is soothed by grandma, Karen sets to work on the presents, first distributing to grandparents, each time with a kiss, and then opening her own stash.

Lovely shots from suburban Epsom in 1975, capturing a hot summer in the garden and then Christmas day, with a new baby playing second fiddle to some serious present opening. As well as a toy piano, musical Santa and various soft toys, the older child also receives a huge dolls house, hand-made by father Graham who can be seen applying finishing touches to the electrics while the child fills the rooms with furniture. Finishes with some close-up shots of the carpeted and wallpapered interior of the doll’s house. Also includes shots of the toddler painting, perhaps preparing the nursery for the new baby.