This film is currently unavailable
Housing Makes History
Residents of Barnet and Stockton-on-Tees are the lucky beneficiaries of a government scheme to remedy Britain’s housing problem.
Overview
Mrs Dobson of 44 Alliance Road, Stockton-on-Tees, is the envy of the street when her back-to-back home is selected, along with three neighbouring houses, as a test case for the government's new housing improvement scheme, 'Operation Rescue'. Out with the old tin bath and outside lavatory - in with the shiny enamelled white bathroom suite replete with free-flowing hot water.
With a running time of 18 minutes and lengthy introductory address to camera by Harold MacMillan, the Minister of Housing, this promotional film for the Conservative Party is a far cry from the pithy political party broadcasts of today. Macmillan was MP for Stockton-on-Tees for twenty years and so had a special affinity with the town. New homes in the north London borough of Barnet are also showcased.
Related
Vote for Froglet Vote for Froglet
Children's 1974 7 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.
Sam Small at Westminster Sam Small at Westminster
Promotional 1935 3 mins
It's the 1935 general election and Stanley Holloway recites a comic monologue promoting the policies of the National Government.
Bristol Fashion Bristol Fashion
Party political broadcast 1959 25 mins Location: Bristol
The Labour Party takes a heartfelt look at Bristol council’s social(ist) housing and education agenda, spinning a 'new story from an old city'.
Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates Mr. Jenkins Pays His Rates
Documentary 1957 19 mins Location: Slough
Slough gets a resounding thumbs-up from a reluctant ratepayer in a surprising 1950s government film.
Socialist Car of State Socialist Car of State
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1930 9 mins Silent
Party-political hyperbole meets Wacky Races in this spirited cartoon produced for the Conservative Party.
Children and Politics Children and Politics
News 1964 3 mins
Some remarkably well informed (well, for the most part) children interviewed prior to the 1964 General Election.
A Corner of Barnet Fair A Corner of Barnet Fair
Non-Fiction 1896 2 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Two for the price of one! Two items were joined together on this reel, discovered among a small haul of early films and fragments discovered and donated to the BFI in the 1990s. The first is believed to be Birt Acres' A Corner of Barnet Fair.
Band Marching down a Street Band Marching down a Street
Non-Fiction 1897 0 mins Silent Location: Barnet
A uniformed marching band takes to the street in this early film by pioneer cinematographer Birt Acres
London cinemas and an Open Day at Ealing Studios London cinemas and an Open Day at Ealing Studios
Amateur film 1989 6 mins Location: Barnet
Relive over 70 years of film making as the BBC throws open its doors at Ealing Studios for a nostalgic exhibition which features cameras, actors, jazzy wigs and a Dalek
Change in Friern Barnet Change in Friern Barnet
Amateur film 1970 20 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Tour Friern Barnet and explore the streets, local happenings and developments in an area undergoing rapid change
Brunswick Bridge Brunswick Bridge
Amateur film 1970 11 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Bridge building on the busy streets of London as the construction of Brunswick Bridge in Barnet is captured for posterity
Around Barnet Around Barnet
Amateur film 1984 9 mins Silent Location: Barnet
An amateur recording of social housing developments, local streets and businesses in Friern, Barnet.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.