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.
Wimbledon Election
A wonderful newsreel showing scenes at the 1916 by-election in Wimbledon, featuring charismatic challenger Kennedy Jones.
From the collection of:
Overview
Kennedy Jones was a journalist who entered politics at the 1916 Wimbledon election. This film opens with him speechifying to camera, to the bemusement of two tough-looking youths. It’s followed by terrific scenes from outside his campaign HQ, where there’s a busy crowd of men, boys, dogs and bikes, plus one policeman in a poncho. Then to the polling station – his car is decorated by a banner featuring his face between two union flags – where five soldiers accompany him inside.
Kennedy was known as KJ and had pioneered tabloid-style populist journalism. In Wimbledon, he ran an insurgent campaign against Conservative Stuart Coats. Kennedy opposed the wartime political truce and stood as an independent, in favour of “a more vigorous prosecution of the war, the equality of sacrifice for all and the destruction of German trade in home markets”. He lost by 1800 votes but entered Parliament later that year after winning an election in Hornsey. Jones died in 1921 of pneumonia.
Related
Watch for free
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Watch for free
Airship No. 9 Airship No. 9
Non-Fiction 1916 14 mins Silent Location: Walney Island
The maiden flight of Britain's first successful rigid airship – just don’t call it a zeppelin…
Watch for free
The Scarecrow The Scarecrow
Comedy 1916 12 mins Silent
A tramp steals the clothes from a scarecrow, but when he realises two couples are using its pockets to pass messages, he sees an opportunity.
Watch for free
Tubby's Typewriter Tubby's Typewriter
Comedy 1916 11 mins Silent
Newlywed Tubby fancies another man's typewriter and ends up in hot water with his new wife
Watch for free
Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale
1916 8 mins Silent
Preston North End play Liverpool (probably) in a regional football competition during WWI.
Watch for free
Industrial Sidelights Industrial Sidelights
Interest film 1916 7 mins Silent
Goat farming, salmon farming and copper mining all feature in this enlightening oddity.
Watch for free
Surrey Symphony Surrey Symphony
Amateur film 1949 11 mins Location: Kew
A picturesque look at the attractions in Surrey, including Kew Gardens, Wimbledon and Guildford
Watch for free
Centred on Wimbledon Centred on Wimbledon
Sport 1947 23 mins Location: Wimbledon
An account of the 1947 Wimbledon tennis championship
Watch for free
Colourful Wimbledon Colourful Wimbledon
Sport 1954 47 mins Location: Hampton
Wimbledon 1954, from the meticulous preparation of the 16 tennis courts to the finals and the glory on Centre Court.
Watch for free
Wimbledon, 1973 Wimbledon, 1973
Amateur film 1973 5 mins Silent Location: Wimbledon
Wimbledon Centre Court action follows a summer wedding filled with flowers, flares and floppy hats in Geoffrey Woodward's film from 1973.
Watch for free
Wimbledon, 1934 Wimbledon, 1934
Amateur film 1934 4 mins Silent Location: Wimbledon
There's plenty of Wimbledon action in this short film from 1934 - the year when both singles titles were won by British champions.
Watch for free
Teddy Tinling Fashions for Wimbledon Teddy Tinling Fashions for Wimbledon
News 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Wimbledon
Fashion designer Teddy Tinling and a line-up of Wimbledon women tennis pros showcase the latest stylish custom-made sports wear.
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.