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The London Topographical Society
Films digitised with the support of The London Topographical Society, the charity which charts our capitalβs history, growth and topography.
Founded in 1880 the London Topographical Society is a registered charity (No 271590). It concentrates on publishing books and sheet material illustrating the history, growth and topography of London of all periods. The Society remains true to the vision of its founders by making available maps, plans and views, as well as publishing research, to assist the study and appreciation of London.
London Street Scenes - Trafalgar SquareLondon Street Scenes - Trafalgar Square
Non-Fiction 1910 1 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
Spot the changes and continuities in this majestic Edwardian panorama of Trafalgar Square.
Animated PoliticsAnimated Politics
Non-Fiction 1910 0 minsSilent Location: Woolwich
Woolwich candidates face the voters in the first of 1910's two general elections.
Miss Davison's FuneralMiss Davison's Funeral
Non-Fiction 1913 2 minsSilent Location: Bloomsbury
The funeral procession of suffragette Emily Davison - fatally injured at the Epsom Derby - passes through London to her final resting place in Morpeth.
To Defend the East Coast To Defend the East Coast
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Eltham
Magnificent artillery horses and their youthful riders parade the streets of Eltham as rapt locals look on.
Looping the Loop at HendonLooping the Loop at Hendon
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Hendon
Spectacular feats of early aviation at Hendon Aerodrome, North London.
Old LondonOld London
Non-Fiction 1914 6 minsSilent Location: Westminster
A revealing tour of London's notable buildings - some now lost for ever - which uncovers their intriguing histories.
Khaki Bank HolidayKhaki Bank Holiday
Non-Fiction 1915 1 minsSilent Location: Hampstead Heath
The holiday crowds are in the mood to enjoy themselves at Hampstead Fair, and army recruiters seize the opportunity to encourage enlistment.
London under SnowLondon under Snow
Non-Fiction 1916 1 minsSilent Location: London
WWI recruits apply their training - to a friendly snowball fight
Hoxton....Saturday July 3rd, Britannia TheatreHoxton....Saturday July 3rd, Britannia Theatre
Non-Fiction 1920 6 minsSilent Location: Hoxton
Fantastically lively images from around East London's greatest music hall.
Central London Street ScenesCentral London Street Scenes
Travelogue 1923 13 minsSilent Location: Westminster
These atmospheric scenes of the Thames and central London (including some spoiled by fog) were shot for the Sherlock Holmes feature The Sign of Four.
London as the 'City of Dreadful Night'London as the 'City of Dreadful Night'
Non-Fiction 1924 0 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
Experience the dinge and gloom of the smog shrouding London's Trafalgar Square in the 1920s.
Everybody Happy!Everybody Happy!
Non-Fiction 1926 2 minsSilent Location: London
Splendid scenes of Londoners letting off steam around the capital - but where, exactly?
The Official Opening of Gunnersbury Park by the Rt. Hon. Neville Chamberlain, M. P.The Official Opening of Gunnersbury Park by the Rt. Hon. Neville Chamberlain, M. P.
Non-Fiction 1926 8 minsSilent Location: Gunnersbury Park
Ealing locals delight in their new park's manicured lawns, splendid mansion, and sports facilities.
Greenwich Clock and ObservatoryGreenwich Clock and Observatory
Non-Fiction 1928 1 minsSilent Location: Greenwich
Tick-tock, tick-tock...the home of British time-keeping at Greenwich.
In the Sizzling SunshineIn the Sizzling Sunshine
Non-Fiction 1929 1 minsSilent Location: London
Hot and bothered Londoners find ways to cool off in the summer heatwave of 1929.
Gunners Put up a Good ShowGunners Put up a Good Show
Non-Fiction 1929 1 minsSilent Location: Woolwich
Charging horses and blazing guns at the Woolwich Garrison tattoo, leading to a toy soldier massacre.
The Opening of Barking Swimming PoolThe Opening of Barking Swimming Pool
Non-Fiction 1931 0 minsSilent Location: Barking
Much excitement for the opening of Barking's new swimming pool - better known as the East End's Lido.
Soup KitchenSoup Kitchen
Amateur film 1934 4 minsSilent Location: Spitalfields
A rare glimpse inside the Soup Kitchen for the Jewish Poor in the East End during the early 1930s.
Grand Union CanalGrand Union Canal
Documentary 1937 34 minsSilent Location: Houses of Parliament
Follow working narrow boats as they make their 60-hour trip from London to Birmingham along Britain's longest industrial waterway.
Cabtrack The Direct Auto-control Personal Taxi ServiceCabtrack The Direct Auto-control Personal Taxi Service
Government sponsored film 1972 16 mins Location: London
Could computer-controlled taxis solve the traffic crisis? Maybe not, but this film's a must for technology buffs (and fans of early electronic music).
Challenge War on SlumsChallenge War on Slums
Campaigning film 1941 17 minsSilent Location: Somers Town
"Plague spots in the richest city in the world" - slums are demolished to make way for new homes in Somers Town, London.
Carry On Lombard StreetCarry On Lombard Street
Amateur film 1941 21 minsSilent Location: City of London
Barclays Bank's London HQ adapts to wartime banking, as a keen amateur filmmaker records staff at work, rest and play.
Official Opening of the Classic Hammersmith including Hammersmith Regatta News ReelOfficial Opening of the Classic Hammersmith including Hammersmith Regatta News Reel
Non-Fiction 1951 5 mins Location: Hammersmith
Who needs the Boat Race? Not Hammersmith, with its own regatta - complete with greasy pole competition. Nearby, the Classic Cinema reopens to fanfare.
Ten BridgesTen Bridges
Documentary 1957 15 mins Location: London
A beautifully evocative three-mile glide along the Thames from bustling docks to bohemian Chelsea.
The SquareThe Square
Drama 1957 16 mins Location: Westminster
An old man looks back wistfully over his years spent living in a King's Cross square, and enjoys a surprise skiffle party organised by neighbours.
Sport U SchuleSport U Schule
Amateur film 1958 7 minsSilent Location: Hackney
Hackney Downs School Cadets in athletics training and competition, filmed by teacher Joe Brearley.
Yoko Tani in LondonYoko Tani in London
Travelogue 1959 8 mins Location: London
A fun tour of 1950s West End with international film star Yoko Tani
Barbican RegainedBarbican Regained
Documentary 1963 17 mins Location: City of London
Fascinating look at the Barbican β before it became the brutalist icon we know today.
London from the Air 1 (Fun Palace outtakes)London from the Air 1 (Fun Palace outtakes)
1963 3 minsSilent
London in 1963 was a city in flux, as this spectacular aerial footage shows.
London from the Air 2 (Fun Palace outtakes)London from the Air 2 (Fun Palace outtakes)
Amateur film 1963 3 minsSilent Location: Westminster
Excellent if somewhat jerky aerial shots of London taken from a helicopter and featuring close-ups of Waterloo, the docks and Tower Bridge.
Fourteen Acres of GreenFourteen Acres of Green
1977 13 mins Location: Hammersmith
Environmentalists wage war on the Greater London Council in this eye-opening account of a battle to save Hammersmith's open spaces.
Inter-action in CroydonInter-action in Croydon
Documentary 1971 12 mins Location: Croydon
Do you remember when the moon men came to Croydon? You can bet these kids never forgot the day Dogg's Troupe landed
London Me BharatLondon Me Bharat
Drama 1972 20 mins Location: London
Stylishly-shot document of multicultural 1970s London among Southall's Asian community.