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
Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park
Fundraising film showing the inner workings of the Royal Masonic Hospital, from the gardeners to the consultants.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film celebrates the Royal Masonic Hospital in West London, which was founded in 1911 in Chelsea and moved to Ravenscourt Park in 1933. It thoroughly explores every aspect of the hospital from the gardeners growing 30,000 plants a year, the chefs filling vol-au-vent cases with prawn sauce, the student nurses (“usually daughters of Freemasons”) and the doctors and consultants. Ends with a plea for funds from patients: “It’s a lot of money, but it is up to us to find it.”
Made to raise funds for the Royal Masonic Hospital, this film consistently looks for support from the brotherhood. “The craft is proud of it,” the narrator insists, while a patient claims, “The fact we are all Masons makes a big difference to your spirits. It gives you a feeling of belonging, not like a lost soul in a hospital.” Towards the end, when the request for donations is made, a patient says they have been “looked after, just as a brother should be.” After protracted financial problems, the Masons sold the hospital in the 1990s.
Related
Watch for free
Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park Royal Masonic Hospital, Ravenscourt Park
Non-Governmental Organisations sponsored film 1966 28 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Silent colour footage of the Royal Masonic Hospital in Ravenscourt Park.
Watch for free
Your Hospital, Ravenscourt Park Your Hospital, Ravenscourt Park
Campaigning film 1977 19 mins Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Professional publicity film for West London’s Royal Masonic Hospital emphasising its history, modern facilities and concern for patient care.
Watch for free
Cheers Echo Round the Land! Cheers Echo Round the Land!
Non-Fiction 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Hats off to the huge crowds that turn out for the opening day of the football season at Arsenal and Chelsea.
Watch for free
Dogs of High Degree Dogs of High Degree
Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Pekingese and daschunds – as well as a tiny puppy – are shown cavorting happily at this dog show in West London.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.