Wimpy / Zoo (Fun Palace outtakes)

Young people eat burgers and drink coffee at a Wimpy; kids look at the animals at London Zoo

Young people eat burgers and drink coffee at a Wimpy, spearhead of London's fast food revolution. Meanwhile, kids look at the animals at London Zoo . This footage was one of dozens of rolls of film shot as background for Joan Littlewoods unfinished Fun Palace project.

The footage was shot for a film to support Joan Littlewood's idea for a 'Fun Palace' - a huge movable construction that would house education and entertainment attractions. In 1963 Littlewood shot 60 reels of 16mm rushes around London to show what people currently did for leisure and to demonstrate that something else was needed. This is one of several reels available to watch on BFI Player. The film was finished but is now lost, and sadly Joan's Fun Palace never got built. However, the rushes paint a fantastic picture of the period, with many expertly filmed by cameraman Walter Lassally, who also shot We are the Lambeth Boys and A Taste of Honey.