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
Video Player is loading.
Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park
Fundraising film showing the inner workings of the Royal Masonic Hospital, from the gardeners to the consultants.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film celebrates the Royal Masonic Hospital in West London, which was founded in 1911 in Chelsea and moved to Ravenscourt Park in 1933. It thoroughly explores every aspect of the hospital from the gardeners growing 30,000 plants a year, the chefs filling vol-au-vent cases with prawn sauce, the student nurses (“usually daughters of Freemasons”) and the doctors and consultants. Ends with a plea for funds from patients: “It’s a lot of money, but it is up to us to find it.”
Made to raise funds for the Royal Masonic Hospital, this film consistently looks for support from the brotherhood. “The craft is proud of it,” the narrator insists, while a patient claims, “The fact we are all Masons makes a big difference to your spirits. It gives you a feeling of belonging, not like a lost soul in a hospital.” Towards the end, when the request for donations is made, a patient says they have been “looked after, just as a brother should be.” After protracted financial problems, the Masons sold the hospital in the 1990s.
Related
Watch for free
Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park
Non-Governmental Organisations sponsored film 1966 28 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Silent colour footage of the Royal Masonic Hospital in Ravenscourt Park.
Watch for free
Your Hospital, Ravenscourt Park Your Hospital, Ravenscourt Park
Campaigning film 1977 19 mins Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Professional publicity film for West London’s Royal Masonic Hospital emphasising its history, modern facilities and concern for patient care.
Watch for free
Cheers Echo Round the Land! Cheers Echo Round the Land!
Non-Fiction 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Hats off to the huge crowds that turn out for the opening day of the football season at Arsenal and Chelsea.
Watch for free
Dogs of High Degree Dogs of High Degree
Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Pekingese and daschunds – as well as a tiny puppy – are shown cavorting happily at this dog show in West London.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.