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.
This film is part of Free
Watts Family Films: Karen’s Christening, Epsom (1973)
Much champagne is spilled as the Watts family celebrate the christening of baby Karen with a large family gathering.
From the collection of:
Overview
Lovely film of a family party in 1973, celebrating the christening of baby Karen. The christening takes place at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Epsom, but then cuts to the Watts family home nearby in Hookfield. There is lots of bottle opening – one has a thin neck several feet long - and snacks include vine leaves, reflecting a multicultural gathering. Wonderful also to compare the older people in suits with the younger generation’s bright clothes and long hair.
The family party is a delightful watch, featuring lots of laughter, cake, champagne and gesticulating. Many of the guests were born in Egypt of Maltese heritage – Daisy Watts, the baby’s mother, was born in Alexandria – and this would have been a multicultural occasion, with conversations in Italian but peppered with French, Arabic, Greek and occasionally English if the vocabulary was desired. The film was shot by Salvo Camenzuli, Daisy’s father.
Related
The Derby: Coaches, Etc, Through Epsom Town The Derby: Coaches, Etc, Through Epsom Town
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent Location: Epsom
Red letter day for the Victorian horseracing fraternity and the Surrey town.
Suffragette Derby of 1913 Suffragette Derby of 1913
Non-Fiction 1913 5 mins Silent Location: Epsom
A momentous act of self sacrifice is caught on camera - Emily Davison is trampled by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby.
Watts Family Films: Karen’s Fourth Birthday, Epsom (1977) Watts Family Films: Karen’s Fourth Birthday, Epsom (1977)
Home movie 1977 3 mins Silent Location: Epsom
A fourth birthday party begins with a polite tea and ends in balloon-hitting flag-waving anarchy as the kids enjoy their sugar rush.
Watts Family Films: Peter’s Christening And Summer 1976, Epsom (1976) Watts Family Films: Peter’s Christening And Summer 1976, Epsom (1976)
Home movie 1976 10 mins Silent Location: Epsom
A baby’s christening is followed by a garden party, and then excitable splashing during the heatwave that hit London in 1976.
Watts Family Films: Christmas 1974/Summer 1975/Christmas 1975, Epsom (1974/75) Watts Family Films: Christmas 1974/Summer 1975/Christmas 1975, Epsom (1974/75)
Home movie 1976 13 mins Silent Location: Epsom
A giant dolls house, new baby and paddling pool all feature in this film covering a calendar year in the London suburbs.
Watts Family Films: Christmas 1977, Epsom (1978) Watts Family Films: Christmas 1977, Epsom (1978)
Home movie 1978 3 mins Silent Location: Epsom
One elderly relative falls asleep, but the kids still have a ball opening their Christmas presents in the Epsom suburbs.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.