This film is part of Free
Modern Day Nightingales
Gripping glimpses of modern nursing - on the frontline at Guy’s Hospital.
Overview
Trebly fascinating, this film gives us gripping real-life hospital scenes, a palpable sense of the shifting focus of modern nursing – and a rare glimpse of how Britain and its health services were extolled abroad. Shot at Guys Hospital, it would not have been seen by British viewers at the time: it was made as part of long-running magazine series London Line, commissioned by the British government for distribution to TV stations in various countries, particularly former British colonies in Africa. Innovations in Britain’s NHS were one among the many aspects of British life that it covered.
The on-screen reporter is Nigerian-born Jumoke Debayo, a frequent presenter on London Line and a regular character actress in British TV (including Grange Hill and Plays for Today) – and the politically satirical feature film The National Health (1973). Though not working on a high budget, the London Line filmmakers here make fine use of a highly mobile 16mm camera, often capturing live sound, to give the programme a real immediacy and viewers the sense of being on the clinical front line.
Related
Your Very Good Health Your Very Good Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 9 mins
Long before the ‘Charley Says’ campaign of the 1970s and ‘80s, another cartoon Charley was used to demystify the newly created NHS.
The Dentist The Dentist
1993 15 mins
This 1993 profile of local dentist, Brian Harvey, shows how he splits his time between a local practice and an advisory role - while leaving ample time to socialise at the local rotary club.
Life in Her Hands Life in Her Hands
Instructional film/TV programme 1951 55 mins
Kathleen Byron - of Black Narcissus fame - stars in one of the most ambitious recruitment films ever made.
Natural Born Smoker Natural Born Smoker
Public Information Filler 1985 1 mins
A sense of 1980s stylistic sheen filters through this sci-fi-tinged anti-smoking advert.
The Strange Case of Penny Allison The Strange Case of Penny Allison
Training film/TV programme 2002 18 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Polio - Diagnosis and Management Polio - Diagnosis and Management
Government sponsored film 1948 59 mins
Britain’s first Polio epidemic in 1947 demanded a coordinated response, and this film was a key part of readying postwar doctors for a new fight
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.