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
Davis Family Films: Clacton-On-Sea, Trafalgar Square and Manor House (1963)
Ice cream on a London estate, Westminster landmarks and a seaside holiday feature in this great home movie from the 1963.
From the collection of:
Overview
Shot in 1963, this home movie starts on a local authority estate somewhere in North London with children playing and a family eating ice cream on the balcony. There are then lovely scenes from a park, probably Finsbury and shots of central London showing several London landmarks – Trafalgar Square, Big Ben – and streets unspoilt by traffic and extended glimpses of a family holiday in Clacton.
This film from the Davis Family Films archive was, like others, found in their old family home of Stanhope Gardens off Green Lanes by the new inhabitant. It seems this film predates the move to Stanhope Gardens, when the family were living on a London estate. There are great scenes from the balcony of children playing below – this is what idealistic planners imagine high-rise living to be like – and also some lovely shots from the park, where the youngest daughter is playing. The final scenes are from Clacton, a popular holiday destination for East Londoners, and show the family on the beach and outside their mobile home. Bruce Castle Museum
Related
Watch for free
Gay Rights Gay Rights
Current affairs 1986 7 mins Location: Coventry
Two councils with two different approaches to LGBT rights.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Second Film Of Stanhope Gardens; Lord Mayor’s Show, Haringey and City (1966) Davis Family Films: Second Film Of Stanhope Gardens; Lord Mayor’s Show, Haringey and City (1966)
Amateur film 1966 6 mins Silent Location: Harringay
James Bond, Graham Hill, Winston Churchill and St Paul’s Cathedral all feature in this brilliant home movie from the Davis Family Film collection.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Dympna & Richard, First Film of Stanhope Gardens, Haringey (1965) Davis Family Films: Dympna & Richard, First Film of Stanhope Gardens, Haringey (1965)
Amateur film 1965 4 mins Silent Location: Harringay
Cracking costumes, including a Chinese dragon, a mermaid and a giant milk bottle that looks like a space rocket, feature in this home movie of a 1965 Tottenham street parade.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Mum's Funeral, Haringey and Porthcawl (1964) Davis Family Films: Mum's Funeral, Haringey and Porthcawl (1964)
Amateur film 1964 5 mins Silent Location: Harringay
Despite the sad subject matter, this is a sweet film with great shots of south Wales scenery and opening with a family sun-worshipping session in London.
Watch for free
Davis Family Films: Maisie's Funeral, Beckenham, Haringey, London (1965) Davis Family Films: Maisie's Funeral, Beckenham, Haringey, London (1965)
Amateur film 1965 5 mins Silent Location: Harringay
Following film of a funeral at Beckenham crematorium, this home movie shows Christmas in London.
Watch for free
Tony Buys a Bike Tony Buys a Bike
Promotional 1942 17 mins Silent Location: Harringay
A lucky schoolboy gets a brand new bike for Christmas in this charming wartime promotional film.
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.