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
Canal Cameo
What happens when you combine high food prices with female resourcefulness? Fishing!
From the collection of:
Overview
Created by ‘the ladies’ of the Pinner Cine Society, this short amateur film playfully mocks gender roles with a story about a group of housewives who take up the ‘male’ sport of angling after being confronted with high prices at the fishmonger’s. Shot largely on location in Harrow, the film documents the old town centre, local shops and a visit to Gayton Library.
The film is testament to the skill of the amateurs. It is thoughtfully narrated in rhyming couplets and features some beautifully shot and well edited canal-side scenes. The gentle voiceover matches the subtle humour as the women arrive at the canal with all but the kitchen sink and fishermen look on dumbfounded as the ladies indulge in more female occupations, such as polishing their nails and crocheting, whilst waiting for the fish to bite. This comedy was made by the Pinner Cine Society; set up in 1951 it is now the Harrow Film Makers.
Related
Watch for free
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Amateur film 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Watch for free
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Watch for free
Amelia and the Angel Amelia and the Angel
Amateur film 1958 26 mins Location: South Kensington
A young angel scours London for her wings in this tender short by the young Ken Russell.
Watch for free
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Watch for free
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Watch for free
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Watch for free
Protest March to Ruislip via Harrow Protest March to Ruislip via Harrow
Amateur film 1964 1 mins Location: Harrow
A spirited march and large, bombastic banners mark this political protest against the positioning of nuclear arms in Ruislip's USAF base.
Watch for free
Schools in Harrow Schools in Harrow
School programme and Educational film 1947 20 mins Silent Location: Harrow
State schools in the London borough
Watch for free
Newsreel 1966 Newsreel 1966
Amateur film 1966 14 mins Location: Harrow
Steam trains large and small and summer time fetes and fairs feature in this amateur newsreel from 1966.
Watch for free
Jubilee Newsreel Jubilee Newsreel
Amateur film 1977 6 mins Location: Harrow
Pomp and pageantry reign and St George is resurrected for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in this colourful newsreel from 1977
Watch for free
Newsreel 1971 Newsreel 1971
Amateur film 1971 16 mins Location: Harrow
There's stardust in the air in Harrow and not all is at it seems at a house fire in Northwood – watch to find out why.
Watch for free
Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow Princess Di Wedding and Winter Snow
Amateur film 1982 4 mins Location: Harrow
Everyone's home in Harrow to witness Lady Di's debut as a Royal and a record-breaking winter causes chaos in 1981.
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.