This film is part of Free
Cosmopolitan London
An extraordinary tour of Soho's French cafés, Clerkenwell's Little Italy and the lesser-trodden streets of Limehouse in the 1920s.
Overview
Despite the insensitive (at times even hostile) intertitles, this is an extraordinary tour of a multicultural London rarely acknowledged by early filmmakers. Venturing off the beaten track, from the hodgepodge of Soho café culture to the "dim and mysterious" district of Limehouse - home to Chinese, Asian and African seamen - it's an eye-opening look at the melting-pot metropolis of the 1920s.
This remarkable film is part of the Wonderful London series of travelogues, directed by Harry B. Parkinson and Frank Miller. The series contrasted different aspects of city life - East End and West End, poor and rich, natives and immigrants - looking beyond the stereotypes to deliver surprising views of the city. Unfortunately, the commentary of Cosmopolitan London doesn't keep up: prejudiced references to opium-smoking in Chinatown reveal suspicions about the new Londoners, and reflect the overwhelmingly white nature of cinema audiences at the time.
Related
Scoring The Epic of Everest Scoring The Epic of Everest
Documentary 2013 8 mins
Composer Simon Fisher Turner discusses his acclaimed soundscapes for the glorious The Epic of Everest
Dickens' London Dickens' London
1924 12 mins Location: Strand
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
Flowers of London Flowers of London
1924 10 mins Location: Charing Cross Sta
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London off the Track London off the Track
1924 10 mins Location: Belgravia
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London's Sunday London's Sunday
1924 8 mins Location: London Br
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London Old and New London Old and New
1924 10 mins Location: Strand
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
Discover Your City: Soho Discover Your City: Soho
1962 12 mins Location: Soho
A children’s guide to bustling Soho, with a glimpse of its music industry, architecture and thriving restaurant scene.
Year of the Ox Year of the Ox
Documentary 1997 6 mins Location: Soho
Impressions of London's Chinatown during the Chinese new year celebrations for the Year of the Ox.
Cabaret Girl Cabaret Girl
Documentary 1956 26 mins Silent Location: Soho
This ultra-kitsch documentary goes behind the scenes at Murray's Cabaret Club, where Christine Keeler was later a showgirl.
21st Century Nuns 21st Century Nuns
Documentary 1994 10 mins Location: Soho
Derek Jarman features in this touching documentary about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Superette Story Superette Story
Promotional 1962 5 mins Silent Location: Soho
The sales practices employed at the LPE Superette run by John Beasley at Berwick Street market.
Burlesque Queen Burlesque Queen
Documentary 1961 6 mins Silent Location: Soho
Tassel-spinning showgirl Tina stars in this rare 60s British burlesque stage show reel.
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.