Londonβs 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 Londonβs rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capitalβs many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Visit to Margate 1950
Holidaymakers flock to the beach to enjoy traditional coastal entertainments in this dazzling, colourful snapshot of Margate in its heyday.
From the collection of:
Overview
Glorious colour scenes capture a refulgent Margate in its prime with packed hotels and beaches and a busy promenade. Elated children play with the sand and splash around in the gentle waves while adults snooze on the deck chairs. A cheeky impostor briefly interrupts the beauty queen contest, in which young ladies parade the latest swimwear fashions. The graceful winner is all smiles as she poses for the camera in this saccharine portrayal of 1950s coastal leisure time.
This film is from the collection of Redbridge Museum, Local Studies and Archives.
Related
Watch for free
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone β sunny delights in abundance.
Watch for free
A Buoyancy Test in the Boating Pool at Easter A Buoyancy Test in the Boating Pool at Easter
Amateur film 1946 4 mins Silent Location: Margate
Margate's seafront is the venue for this short film from Bertram Doughty - showing visitors enjoying the attractions of Kent's famous resort.
Watch for free
Margate's Plaza Cinema Margate's Plaza Cinema
Amateur film 1988 2 mins Location: Margate
Margate's former Plaza Cinema looks a bit forlorn as it waits for yet another transformation in this short film from Alan Stingemore
Watch for free
50 Years On 50 Years On
Amateur film 1990 12 mins Location: Hawkinge
Surviving Battle of Britain veterans celebrate half a century since their finest hour at various locations in Kent - Britain's front line county during the Second World War
Watch for free
It All Goes to Show It All Goes to Show
Comedy 1970 27 mins Location: Margate
Arthur Lowe is hilarious as a hen-pecked husband in this cheeky seaside-set comedy, shot in Margate.
Watch for free
A School visit to Margate Beach A School visit to Margate Beach
Amateur film 1938 7 mins Silent Location: Margate
Enjoy a day out on Margate Sands with these maidens in uniform from a nearby school for deaf children - as they play, swim, ride on donkeys and enjoy a bracing outdoor tea
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.