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
Harold Defries Bar Mitzvah
Some serious moves can be seen by guests of all ages in his lovely film showing the Bar Mitzah celebrations of Harold Defries in London in 1960.
From the collection of:
Overview
1960 was the year of the twist and that is one of many moves on display at this Bar Mitzvah celebration in London. It starts so politely, with guests in evening dress formally welcomed by a doorman in red tailed jacket. Things get busier when the guest of honour arrives and he’s dragged round the dance floor by an older relative. Soon, everybody’s dancing – young and old – with many showing off the recently introduced twist and others jiving, waltzing or just generally boogieing.
Related
Simcha Simcha
Documentary 2000 12 mins
Extremely rare insight in the role of a Hasidic woman, featuring a mother-daughter team who live in North London.
Some of My Best Friends Some of My Best Friends
Documentary 1969 30 mins Location: Westminster
Jewish people - and a few Gentiles - muse on what it means to be Jewish in 1960s Britain
Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council
1947 19 mins Silent
Poignant postwar appeal for Britain’s Jewry to support orphaned Jewish children rescued from Europe
Jewish Pensioners' Controversial Pools Win Jewish Pensioners' Controversial Pools Win
News 1975 5 mins Location: Southend-on-Sea
All good pals and jolly good company! A syndicate of Jewish pensioners from Southend celebrate their big win on the football pools.
Just One Kid Just One Kid
Factual TV 1974 54 mins Silent
A Jewish Eastender recalls growing up in poverty in the 1930s and being part of a community now long gone
Mr. Emmanuel Mr. Emmanuel
Drama 1944 97 mins
An elderly Jewish man journeys to Nazi Germany to track down a refugee’s mother in this extraordinary drama
Trev's 21st 1963 Trev's 21st 1963
Amateur film 1963 2 mins Silent Location: Redbridge
It's twistin' time! Wander in and celebrate Trev's 21st birthday in this fly-on-the-wall film.
Fire! October '63 Fire! October '63
Amateur film 1962 2 mins Silent Location: Redbridge
Local emergency services spring into action to put out blaze and protect rubbernecking residents in Redbridge, north-east London
Ilford Carnival Ilford Carnival
Amateur film 1978 4 mins Silent Location: Redbridge
Pearly Queens meet Carnival Queens at the annual carnival day extravaganza in Ilford
Hetty and Willy Defries Silver Wedding Hetty and Willy Defries Silver Wedding
Amateur film 1959 5 mins Silent Location: Redbridge
Happy faces dominate this home film, showing guests greeting Hetty and Willy Defries, who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.
Stephen and Marcus Stephen and Marcus
Amateur film 1960 11 mins Silent Location: Redbridge
Playtime in the garden for two young London children, including a large element of slapstick fun.
Wanstead and Woodford Cine Club Dance Wanstead and Woodford Cine Club Dance
Amateur film 1955 2 mins Silent Location: Woodford
Couples shake their moves in this short home movie recorded at the annual dance held by a group of East London amateur cinema enthusiasts.
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.