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.
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Davis Family Films: Canvey – 20th Wedding Anniversary, Central London and Canvey Island (1963)
A lovely shot of Berwick Street market in Soho is among the highlights of this sweet family film, which also captures a 20th anniversary holiday in Canvey Island.
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Overview
Filmed by the Davis family – and found in their old family home after they moved – this home movie starts with footage from an athletics stadium and a very impressive 100m sprint to camera. Next comes film from the balcony of a London estate, followed by great shots of central London, including a teeming Berwick Street market. The film concludes with holiday footage from Canvey.
A label on the film case said this film captured a 20th anniversary, and the Davis adults are seen clinking glasses – presumably in celebration of this occasion – from the fold-out table inside their holiday caravan in Canvey. The Canvey footage also includes an impressive lollipop, two muddy boys, a funfair and local houses and churches. The London footage is also great, particularly the characterful shot of a Soho street market. Bruce Castle Museum
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