This film is part of Free
Options
Slicing ham by day, gliding across a dance floor by night - introducing Mr and Mrs Rainbird, proud owners of a grocery shop on Romford Rd, Newham.
Overview
Slicing ham by day, gliding across a dance floor by night, Mr J.W Rainbird and his wife have found happiness and fulfilment in both their marriage and jointly-run business - a grocery shop on Romford Road, Newham. Long days spent serving locals and stocktaking are rewarded with a glass of beer and a skirt around the ballroom dance-floor in the evening.
This was one of a pair of documentaries shown in the ATV slot 'Options'. Alongside The Life and Times of J.W. Rainbird, was Neighbours - a profile of two men who decide to make their permanent home in a wood in Surrey. The idea was to contrast two approaches to life: conventional and unconventional. No prizes for guessing which attitude the Rainbirds were chosen to exemplify.
Related
Docklands Light Railway Comes to Stratford Docklands Light Railway Comes to Stratford
Amateur film 1987 4 mins Location: Stratford
All aboard! Take a peek at the historic moment of the Docklands Light Railway launch, as seen through the eyes of a Newham filmmaker.
East End Bids Farewell to the Fuhrer East End Bids Farewell to the Fuhrer
Amateur film 1945 2 mins Silent Location: Stratford
Crowds carry a mock coffin of Adolf Hitler through the streets of Stratford while the Union Flag and bunting hang defiant above the WW2 rubble.
West Ham Town Hall & Newham Youth Orchestra West Ham Town Hall & Newham Youth Orchestra
Amateur film 1986 5 mins Location: Stratford
Reopened by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the borough's Centenary celebrations, the West Ham Town Hall hosts a Newham Youth Orchestra Concert.
East End's Royal Visitors East End's Royal Visitors
Non-Fiction 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Stratford
Flowers, flag-waving and royal handshakes as Queen Mary and the Duke Of Gloucester, the Queen’s third son, visit a hospital in Stratford.
Mission of Mercy Mission of Mercy
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Stratford
Huge crowds greet Queen Mary as she opens the Dr Nicoll Memorial Wing at Queen Mary’s in Stratford.
Boulter Family Films: Bridesmaids In Pink, Stratford (1963) Boulter Family Films: Bridesmaids In Pink, Stratford (1963)
Amateur film 1963 2 mins Silent Location: Stratford
Shocking pink outfits, impressive cake and a gargantuan veil feature in this brief home move shot at this wedding somewhere in East London
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.