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.
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'Gay Old Thames'
Tea, giggles, boats and balloons in this wonderful footage from the Hampton Court and Dittons Regetta on the banks of the Thames.
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Overview
A regatta has been held in Hampton Court since 1887 and this film captures 1921’s day of “strenuous racing” which starts with a group of dashing young women and one man exchanging a joke with the camera over tea and cake. Next comes a splendid panorama of the river, showing the hundreds of boats that have turned out, followed by an energetic punting race. The closing scenes show families enjoying the day, waving and wielding large balloons.
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