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.
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It’s The Circus Parts 1 & II, Olympia
Bears, tigers and elephants perform for the crowds in this compelling colour footage from the Christmas circus at Olympia.
From the collection of:
Overview
These two films capture entertainment at the circus after the war, with performing animals featuring prominently. It’s rather discomforting watching bears in grass skirts balance on balls, and there are also elephants, chimps and tigers. Human performers feature as well, including clowns, trick cyclists and a little person on a pony. The Bertram Mills Circus was held every Christmas at Olympia for decades either side of the war.
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