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
Launches And Family Scenes, Epsom, Wimbledon, Croydon (1933)
Ships are launched and ropes are skipped in this wildly mixed selection of amateur films shot in the 1920s and 1930s by Gilbert Szlumper of Southern Railway.
From the collection of:
Overview
Wonderfully, this film mixes family scenes – skipping on a beach, snowball fights – with shots of military parades, boats being launched and the King inaugurating the King George Dock V Dock in Southampton. It was shot by Gilbert Szlumper, assistant general manager at Southern Railway, and includes scenes at London train stations and the company’s sports ground in Raynes Park. Szlumper was a Major-General during WWII, and the film is in the Imperial War Museum collection.
The film includes a Norwegian cruise on SS Acardia and the launch of two ships – SS Worthing and PS Southsea - at Glasgow. There are also shots of the King and Queen at Southampton inaugurating a new dock. But the most enjoyable scenes are of Szlumper’s family playing in the snow, on the beach, and on the golf course and generally having a whale of a time before the camera. Szlumper had an important role managing the railways during the Second World War, and the film was subsequently acquired by the Imperial War Museum.
Related
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.