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
Field End Telephone Exchange Goes Automatic
This amateur informational piece fervently laments the necessary shift from old-fashioned telephone operation to the automatic system.
From the collection of:
Overview
A sharp swell of music coupled with a title card introduce this short film like a news story, complete with a formal and well-spoken narration. The narration announces the shift from the old telephone operators towards the new and efficient automatic service. A sequence of the busy manual exchange yields to a now empty room, and the narrator bemoans the bygone age. The piece ends with a brief tour of the new but impersonal technology but time marches on.
This film is from the collection of Headstone Manor Museum, a member of the London's Screen Archives Network.
Related
A Good Show A Good Show
Amateur film 1950 10 mins Silent Location: Pinner
Hijinks ensue when a couple attempt to operate their television set, illustrating the frustrations of (what would have been) new technology.
Present Day Pinner Present Day Pinner
Amateur film 1960 2 mins Location: Pinner
The small town of Pinner in Harrow is brought to life through a short, reflective biography of novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
Pinner - 1926 - Osborne Personal Film Pinner - 1926 - Osborne Personal Film
Amateur film 1926 13 mins Silent Location: Pinner
Evocative film capturing the suburb of Pinner succumbing to modernity, as we watch roads being constructed and the countryside retreating.
The Wedding of Peter and Judith Elliott The Wedding of Peter and Judith Elliott
Amateur film 1956 14 mins Silent Location: Pinner
Hats, stumbles and happy faces at this wedding film from 1956, taken at the service and reception of Judith and Peter Elliott in Pinner.
Harrow Marathon and Shrove Tuesday in Pinner Harrow Marathon and Shrove Tuesday in Pinner
Amateur film 1984 4 mins Location: Pinner
Amateur newsreel covering the Harrow Marathon and a packed Shrove Tuesday event on Pinner High Street attended by Ronny Barker.
Pinner Week Pinner Week
Amateur film 1970 21 mins Location: Pinner
A tour of Pinner Village during its celebratory Pinner Week highlights local landmarks, fun, fancy dress and festivities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.