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
Loading Trains, Tenting Circus at Nottingham, Animals Coming from Station, Ascot
The circus hits town with fine shots of animals and performers parading through town, as well as scenes from the winter quarters at Ascot.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film captures some behind-the-scene activity for Bertram Mills Circus, one of the most popular of the era. It shows the circus train being loaded, a big top being erect in Nottingham and animals and performers – including men on stilts riding bicycles – parading through town. Contains scenes from Ascot, where the circus was quartered every year during winter.
Bertram Mills Circus were famed for their Christmas shows at Olympia, which are credited with reviving the circus in the UK. That was partly down to the patronage of the Prince of Wales, who would visit the circus at their winter quarters at Ascot, near Windsor Castle. According to circus mythology, a private box was installed for these visits as the Prince’s companion was often his lover, Wallis Simpson.
Related
The Turn of the Tide The Turn of the Tide
Documentary 1934 12 mins Silent Location: London
Hunger marchers demonstrate and the London season opens: the contrast between rich and poor in 1930s Britain
Fifty Years of Ascot Fashions Fifty Years of Ascot Fashions
Amateur film 1986 23 mins Silent Location: Ascot
Fascinating panorama of a half-century of sartorial choices at Royal Ascot...some better judged than others
'Gold Cup' Race at Ascot 'Gold Cup' Race at Ascot
Sport 1912 2 mins Location: Ascot
The fashions, the royalty, the parades - and the hats... It's a wonder there's any time for racing at Royal Ascot.
Horses at Ascot, Winter Quarters, Ascot Horses at Ascot, Winter Quarters, Ascot
Amateur film 1939 12 mins Silent Location: Ascot
Colour footage from the Bertram Mills Circus’ winter base in Ascot showing training for the Christmas show at Olympia.
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.
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.
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.