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
Summerstown Works – Sports Day, Summerstown (1937)
There’s long jump, skipping, tug-of-war and a sack race in this charming film from a factory sports day, which starts with some impressive drinking.
From the collection of:
Overview
Workers from a Wimbledon cardboard box factory – Hugh Stevenson’s in Summerstown – gather at a sports ground for a very good-natured and alcohol-fuelled sports day. After copious drinking, the workers compete in numerous sports, and take some spectacular falls in the sack race particularly. Also shows shots of the factory and lots of footage of the workers’ families at the event, including children and well-dressed wives.
Related
Summerstown Works – Football Match – Hugh Stevenson v Upper Tooting, Summerstown (1930s) Summerstown Works – Football Match – Hugh Stevenson v Upper Tooting, Summerstown (1930s)
Amateur film 1930 8 mins Silent Location: Wandsworth
Workers from a south London cardboard box factory take on local rivals Upper Tooting in this film from the 1930s.
Street Scenes III: Raining cats and dogs Street Scenes III: Raining cats and dogs
School programme and Educational film 1975 16 mins Location: Wandsworth
Horses pulling beer and a police dog feature in this children’s TV series that show children what they can see in the streets around them.
Street Scenes IV: Down the drain Street Scenes IV: Down the drain
School programme and Educational film 1975 16 mins Location: Wandsworth
Sewers, pipes and cables are explored in this children’s TV show that shows children what can be seen in – and under – the streets of the city.
Street Scenes I: My street, your street Street Scenes I: My street, your street
School programme and Educational film 1975 16 mins Location: Wandsworth
Children’s TV show encouraging London children to look at the life in the streets around them.
Street Scenes II: Men at work Street Scenes II: Men at work
School programme and Educational film 1975 15 mins Location: Wandsworth
Film for young children introducing them to the different workers they can meet in public towns, from traffic wardens to milkmen.
Watts Family Films: Christmas, Epsom and Tooting (1972) Watts Family Films: Christmas, Epsom and Tooting (1972)
Home movie 1972 8 mins Silent Location: Epsom
Gifts of pocket watches and laundry baskets in this Christmas film, featuring much present-opening, cracker-pulling and general festive gaiety.
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.