This film is part of Free
Petticoat Lane
A patchwork of East End colours and characters on Middlesex Street, better-known as Petticoat Lane.
Overview
Petticoat Lane - more properly known as Middlesex Street - was for centuries the hub of London's garment trade. This vivid snapshot of the Sunday market is a patchwork of East End colours and characters: among the beads and buttons, artificial flowers and embroidered tablecloths, spot the Pearly King, the jellied-eel vendor and some exotic birdlife. Meanwhile, a placard held above the hubbub proclaims ominously that "The End is at Hand".
The film was made by visiting Canadian Eileen D. Smith, who shot several home movies of her holidays in Britain in the 50s. Her films of Portobello Road market and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally are also available to view on BFI Player.
Related
A Trip to Petticoat Lane Market A Trip to Petticoat Lane Market
Amateur film 1980 3 mins Silent Location: Whitechapel
Watch bargain hunters at the world famous and colourful Petticoat Lane Market in this nostalgic film from Alan Stingemore which also includes a train ride and a tennis tournament
Petticoat Lane on Sunday Petticoat Lane on Sunday
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent Location: Whitechapel
Lively panorama of the East London market
Tunde's Film Tunde's Film
Documentary drama 1974 40 mins Location: Stepney
Tired of being hassled by the police and with no job opportunities, a group of teenage East End lads plan to rob a bank.
Your Police and You Your Police and You
Documentary 1973 25 mins Location: Whitechapel
No more Dixon of Dock Green: the Met faces changing times.
Barging through London Barging through London
1924 11 mins Location: Limehouse
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
London's Contrasts London's Contrasts
1924 12 mins Location: Hyde Park
Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean 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
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.