This film is part of Free
Theatrical Garden Party in Regents Park
Stage stars 'do their bit' at a charity fundraising fete.
Overview
There's a glitter of stardust about this high-profile fundraising event in aid of the Actors' Orphanage Fund; a charity which housed children of deceased actors and actresses. An annual event since 1906, the garden party lured generous donors with the chance to meet and greet theatrical stars, who peddled autographs and raffle tickets, and performed comedy sketches in honour of a worthy cause.
This type of occasion was ideal fodder for early newsreels like Topical Budget, which made several visits to the annual event. The unwieldy nature of camera equipment meant that Topical's schedule was planned around predictable events, while celebrity 'do-gooding' antics were a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Related
Lt Pimple and the Stolen Submarine Lt Pimple and the Stolen Submarine
Comedy 1914 14 mins Silent Location: Twickenham
The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.
From Antwerp to Ostend From Antwerp to Ostend
Travelogue 1914 5 mins Silent
On the brink of invasion, holidaymakers promenade while refugees shelter in beach huts on the Belgian coastline in 1914.
German Spy Peril German Spy Peril
War 1914 7 mins Silent
Inventive WWI propaganda in which a rejected volunteer foils a German plot to blow up Parliament.
A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol
Fantasy 1914 23 mins Silent
A well-acted early version of Charles Dickens' much loved Christmas story, featuring some impressive ghost sequences.
Egypt and Her Defenders Egypt and Her Defenders
Travelogue 1914 10 mins Silent
Cairo street scenes, the pyramids, the majestic Nile and a visiting Lord Kitchener in a gorgeous tinted travelogue.
Gloves of Ptames Gloves of Ptames
Fantasy 1914 9 mins Silent
A mysterious pair of gloves from an ancient Egyptian tomb cause chaos in this silent 'trick' comedy.
New Architecture at the London Zoo New Architecture at the London Zoo
Documentary 1937 16 mins Silent Location: Whipsnade
Penguins get the VIP treatment in this artistic look at the Zoo's visionary 1930s revamp.
Jane at the Zoo Jane at the Zoo
School programme and Educational film 1959 8 mins Location: Regent's Park
Jane is taken to London Zoo by her Daddy and learns that she should use her eyes and ears just like the animals – always on the watch for danger.
Work at St. Dunstan's Work at St. Dunstan's
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Regent's Park
Activities at St. Dunstan’s hostel for blind soldiers in Regent’s Park.
The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London
Amateur film 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Richmond
Join the Torrens family as they cram in as many sights as possible in their short trip to London - taking in Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens, the Tower of London and polar bears
London Symphony London Symphony
Documentary 1955 18 mins Location: Regent's Park
Impressionistic glimpses of London life from early morning to rush hour
Tragedy of Sam Tragedy of Sam
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Silent Location: Regent's Park
A eulogy to Sam, the London Zoo polar bear, who is due to be put down due to ill health
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.