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 currently unavailable
Sudden Heat Wave
Diving from the high board, skipping at poolside and general horseplay – Chiswick’s 1920s bathers cool off in Chiswick’s outdoor pool.
From the collection of:
Overview
Lovely film of Londoners enjoying respite from a heatwave at the outdoor pool at Edensor Road, Chiswick, which had been built by unemployed labourers in 1910. A flapper-type puffs away on a cigarette, while men perform some impressive – and others less so – dives from the high board. Three women skip on one rope poolside, while others climb on friends’ shoulders. No modern rules goes unbroken. The outdoor pool closed in 1980.
Related
Automatic Fare Collection on London Buses Automatic Fare Collection on London Buses
Industry sponsored film 1971 2 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
A motley group of London Transport office staff line up to test the efficiency of two bus driver-operated ticket machines.
A Bit of Fun at the Chequered Flag A Bit of Fun at the Chequered Flag
Amateur film 1957 1 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
A mock standing start marks the beginning of an amusing classic car race that ends before it even gets going
1960 Wedding at Methodist Church Chiswick High Road 1960 Wedding at Methodist Church Chiswick High Road
Amateur film 1960 4 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
Glimpses of Chiswick High Road form the backdrop to the wedding guests arriving for a colourful 1960s wedding
Hold Tight/Hideaway Hold Tight/Hideaway
Music video 1966 5 mins Location: Chiswick
Take a very groovy road trip with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich in this early pop promo.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.