This film is part of Free
Covent Garden Porters
An incredibly entertaining short film in which Covent Garden porters perform near-impossible balancing feats with stacks of baskets.
Overview
An astonishing short film in which porters perform near-impossible balancing feats with stacks of baskets around the Covent Garden Market Hall. The photographer was also extremely dextrous judging by the incredible dolly shot from above a stack of baskets - just how did he do that? Such a performance would no doubt go down a treat with spectacle-hungry Covent Garden tourists today.
The star of the show is one Jim Sainsbury, whose party-piece was rather legendary among the porters, attracting film crews on more than one occasion.
Related
Playing the Environment Game Playing the Environment Game
Documentary 1973 29 mins Location: Euston Sta
In Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Tolmers Square in London, campaigners challenge property developers' plans
New Covent Garden - Europe's Super Market New Covent Garden - Europe's Super Market
Documentary 1976 19 mins Location: Covent Garden
The historic backbone of London's five-a-day is moved from Central London to its new home in Nine Elms
This England - London: City and Covent Garden This England - London: City and Covent Garden
Amateur film 1934 15 mins Silent Location: Holborn
A man with a dozen baskets on his head and Big Ben shrouded in scaffolding feature in this amateur movie exploring various London sites in 1934.
The Story of Our Food Supply The Story of Our Food Supply
Public Information Filler 1928 20 mins Silent Location: Bermondsey
The original foodie city: from bustling Bermondsey Wharves through Smithfield and Billingsgate to London's street markets and general stores.
London River London River
Travelogue 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Tower Br
Follow the Thames from Westminster to Limehouse, Covent Garden to Tower Bridge.
Old Drury Custom Dating from 1796 Old Drury Custom Dating from 1796
Non-Fiction 1928 2 mins Silent Location: Covent Garden
Theatrical shenanigans in London's West End as thespians celebrate a Twelfth Night tradition.
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.