This film is part of Free
Cosmopolitan London
An extraordinary tour of Soho's French cafés, Clerkenwell's Little Italy and the lesser-trodden streets of Limehouse in the 1920s.
Overview
Despite the insensitive (at times even hostile) intertitles, this is an extraordinary tour of a multicultural London rarely acknowledged by early filmmakers. Venturing off the beaten track, from the hodgepodge of Soho café culture to the "dim and mysterious" district of Limehouse - home to Chinese, Asian and African seamen - it's an eye-opening look at the melting-pot metropolis of the 1920s.
This remarkable film is part of the Wonderful London series of travelogues, directed by Harry B. Parkinson and Frank Miller. The series contrasted different aspects of city life - East End and West End, poor and rich, natives and immigrants - looking beyond the stereotypes to deliver surprising views of the city. Unfortunately, the commentary of Cosmopolitan London doesn't keep up: prejudiced references to opium-smoking in Chinatown reveal suspicions about the new Londoners, and reflect the overwhelmingly white nature of cinema audiences at the time.
Related
Dickens' London Dickens' London
1924 12 mins Location: Strand
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
Flowers of London Flowers of London
1924 10 mins Location: Charing Cross Sta
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London's Sunday London's Sunday
1924 8 mins Location: London Br
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London off the Track London off the Track
1924 10 mins Location: Belgravia
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London Old and New London Old and New
1924 10 mins Location: Strand
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London's Contrasts London's Contrasts
1924 12 mins Location: Hyde Park
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
Discover Your City: Soho Discover Your City: Soho
1962 12 mins Location: Soho
A children’s guide to bustling Soho, with a glimpse of its music industry, architecture and thriving restaurant scene.
Year of the Ox Year of the Ox
Documentary 1997 6 mins Location: Soho
Impressions of London's Chinatown during the Chinese new year celebrations for the Year of the Ox.
Cabaret Girl Cabaret Girl
Documentary 1956 26 mins Silent Location: Soho
This ultra-kitsch documentary goes behind the scenes at Murray's Cabaret Club, where Christine Keeler was later a showgirl.
21st Century Nuns 21st Century Nuns
Documentary 1994 10 mins Location: Soho
Derek Jarman features in this touching documentary about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Superette Story Superette Story
Promotional 1962 5 mins Silent Location: Soho
The sales practices employed at the LPE Superette run by John Beasley at Berwick Street market.
Burlesque Queen Burlesque Queen
Documentary 1961 6 mins Silent Location: Soho
Tassel-spinning showgirl Tina stars in this rare 60s British burlesque stage show reel.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
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.