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
Horse Riding (and Sports) on Wimbledon Common
Wonderful colour shots of Wimbledon Common, 1940s fashions and pet kittens feature in this short home movie
From the collection of:
Overview
Youthful innocence personified, three girls in colourful frocks are shown spending a leisurely day in the back garden. From relaxing on the swing and trotting around barefoot to taking turns in showing off their less-than-efficient lawn-mowing skills, there is never a dull moment. We then venture out to Wimbledon Common for a spot of horse-riding and a quick game of catch.
This film is from the collection of Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre
Related
Watch for free
Skating on Wimbledon Common Skating on Wimbledon Common
Amateur film 1950 2 mins Silent Location: Wimbledon Common
Crowds descend on this temporary skating rink and prove there's plenty of icy fun to be had even if you don't own a pair of fancy skates
Watch for free
Watch for free
Know Your Borough: Merton Know Your Borough: Merton
Non-Fiction 1951 12 mins Location: Wimbledon
Civic pride in Merton, as this film celebrates the borough’s parks, playgrounds and, er, sewage works, while also showing the “ancient ceremony of mayor-making”.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.