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
Visit to Margate 1950
Holidaymakers flock to the beach to enjoy traditional coastal entertainments in this dazzling, colourful snapshot of Margate in its heyday.
From the collection of:
Overview
Glorious colour scenes capture a refulgent Margate in its prime with packed hotels and beaches and a busy promenade. Elated children play with the sand and splash around in the gentle waves while adults snooze on the deck chairs. A cheeky impostor briefly interrupts the beauty queen contest, in which young ladies parade the latest swimwear fashions. The graceful winner is all smiles as she poses for the camera in this saccharine portrayal of 1950s coastal leisure time.
This film is from the collection of Redbridge Museum, Local Studies and Archives.
Related
Watch for free
Guinness - Plinths Guinness - Plinths
Advert 1976 1 mins
Pete and Dud prove to be stout football fans in this Guinness commercial recalling a great sporting moment - however fleeting.
Watch for free
Lifestyle: Three Peaks Race Lifestyle: Three Peaks Race
Documentary 1976 26 mins Location: Ingleborough
As if running up one mountain isn’t foolhardy enough, these hardened men in shorts do three, displaying amazing endurance, as well as weary legs and wasted expressions.
Watch for free
Folkestone Spacious and Gracious Folkestone Spacious and Gracious
Promotional 1969 10 mins Location: Folkestone
There's something for everyone in Folkestone as this promotional film claims - including lidos, fine dining, cliff railways and the weirdest fitness machines ever seen
Watch for free
Cotmanhay Youth Report Cotmanhay Youth Report
Magazine and Review show 1982 11 mins Location: Cotmanhay
Trapped by disillusionment - Cotmanhay becomes a prison for Anthony.
Watch for free
A Bit of Old Burnley A Bit of Old Burnley
Amateur film 1940 5 mins Silent Location: Burnley
Come for a drive around the streets of a busy Lancashire town.
Watch for free
Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market
Advert 1972 1 mins
In 1972 Britain entered the European common market full of beans. What could go wrong?
Watch for free
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Watch for free
A Buoyancy Test in the Boating Pool at Easter A Buoyancy Test in the Boating Pool at Easter
Amateur film 1946 4 mins Silent Location: Margate
Margate's seafront is the venue for this short film from Bertram Doughty - showing visitors enjoying the attractions of Kent's famous resort.
Watch for free
Margate's Plaza Cinema Margate's Plaza Cinema
Amateur film 1988 2 mins Location: Margate
Margate's former Plaza Cinema looks a bit forlorn as it waits for yet another transformation in this short film from Alan Stingemore
Watch for free
50 Years On 50 Years On
Amateur film 1990 12 mins Location: Hawkinge
Surviving Battle of Britain veterans celebrate half a century since their finest hour at various locations in Kent - Britain's front line county during the Second World War
Watch for free
It All Goes to Show It All Goes to Show
Comedy 1970 27 mins Location: Margate
Arthur Lowe is hilarious as a hen-pecked husband in this cheeky seaside-set comedy, shot in Margate.
Watch for free
A School visit to Margate Beach A School visit to Margate Beach
Amateur film 1938 7 mins Silent Location: Margate
Enjoy a day out on Margate Sands with these maidens in uniform from a nearby school for deaf children - as they play, swim, ride on donkeys and enjoy a bracing outdoor tea
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.