This film is part of Free
Drill of the Kansas City Fire Department
Incredible scenes at Crystal Palace highlight cutting edge firefighting 1900 style
Overview
The boys of the Kansas City Fire Department demonstrate their rapid harnessing techniques in an impressive dash along the Italian Terrace at Crystal Palace, in this superior example of an early film staple. In record time, the horses are uncoupled from the engine and the boys follow up with a dramatic display of releasing the hoses. If only the boys had been there in 1936 when the Palace burned to the ground...
The 'fire brigade turn out' was a popular spectacle in the Victorian example, and survives in numerous films, with no doubt many more lost.
Related
RT Buses in SE London RT Buses in SE London
Industry sponsored film 1978 4 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Take a trip down memory lane to a time when a fleet of the popular RT buses serves the capital and congestion is still a thing of the future.
Opening of Crystal Palace Track inc. 100 yards & Long Jump Opening of Crystal Palace Track inc. 100 yards & Long Jump
Amateur film 1968 2 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
On your marks, get set, go! Athletes grace the new running track at Crystal Palace with a series of thrilling athletics events and races.
Tartan Laying at Crystal Palace Tartan Laying at Crystal Palace
Amateur film 1967 4 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Detailed recording of the many process involved in laying the Tartan track at the Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium ahead of the 1968 Olympics.
Racing at Brooklands Racing at Brooklands
Amateur film 1930 7 mins Silent Location: Brooklands
The Kings of Speed - 30s style - thrill the crowds at Brooklands - the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit
Greatest Football Game of 1911 Greatest Football Game of 1911
Sport 1911 0 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Itβs the 40th FA Cup final and Bradford City face Newcastle United.
Tall Ships at Erith Tall Ships at Erith
Amateur film 1975 5 mins Silent Location: Erith
Lose all sense of time as Tall ships, dinosaurs and Spitfires make for a temporally confusing trip through South London.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
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.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.
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.