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
Easter in the park, Ilford (1939)
This film offers a rare chance to see a toddler trying to start a car, before he trots through a London park with pipe-smoking father.
From the collection of:
Overview
Short, rich home movie in the Ronald Bond collection, showing a family trip in 1939. A toddler runs towards the camera before returning to the car – a Ford V8 Pilot – to give the starter a crank, before taking his seat behind the steering wheel. The child is then seen strolling through the park, holding hands with his suited, pipe-smoking father, and then sitting with his family, clutching the leather case for the cine-camera. Great glimpse of pre-war social life
High Beech, Epping Forest. 2 year old Ronald is seen here with his godparent Mr Bill Loader who had been a steward on the ship SS Beltana along with Ronald’s father. Ronald is seen here with his godmother’s scarf tied around his head as he had earache. Despite being poorly, he’s cheerful and even tries turning the starting handle on Mr Loader’s Austin V8.
Related
Watch for free
East End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping Forest East End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping Forest
Non-Fiction 1911 2 mins Silent Location: Epping Forest
Disabled East End ‘ragged’ children go on a trip to the country - but not everyone seems happy
Watch for free
Kench Family Films: 1968, Redbridge, Woolwich, Southend and Colchester (1968) Kench Family Films: 1968, Redbridge, Woolwich, Southend and Colchester (1968)
Home movie 1968 17 mins Silent Location: Ilford
Windy beaches, wendy houses and Woolwich ferry all feature in this home movie covering a family in the East London suburbs in 1968.
Watch for free
Fred James Collection: Local Colour, Woodford Wells and Epping Forest Fred James Collection: Local Colour, Woodford Wells and Epping Forest
Amateur film 1971 28 mins Silent Location: Woodford Wells
A staggering drunk, cavorting squirrel and bicycling children paint a picture of the London-Essex borders in 1971 in this home movie by Fred James.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.