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
Scoring The Epic of Everest Scoring The Epic of Everest
Documentary 2013 8 mins
Composer Simon Fisher Turner discusses his acclaimed soundscapes for the glorious The Epic of Everest
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 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'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 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.
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.
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.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
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.