This film is part of Free
The Lambeth Housing Film
An appeal for funds to improve the lot of slum-dwellers in the south London borough of Lambeth
Overview
Lambeth in the 1930s: home of palaces and slums. Starting with the former we see Lambeth Palace and the (less palatial, but still impressive) W.H. Smith factory abutting the River Thames. But the real focus of this film is the Lambeth slums, the need for improvement, and an appeal for funds. Exquisitely-lit shots of hovel interiors do little to mask the extreme poverty and unsanitary conditions.
Perhaps as an incentive to donate, the film shows a glamorous ceremony in which Lilian Baylis, manager of the Old Vic and Sadler’s Wells theatres, is seen laying the foundation stone of a new housing development. Despite the film’s hopeful tone, it's hard not to watch it and think of the Blitz looming over the new buildings.
Related
London Ambulance Service Launch at County Hall London Ambulance Service Launch at County Hall
Amateur film 1965 5 mins Silent Location: Lambeth
A showcase of emergency response vehicles through the ages, featuring a donkey, an injured redcoat soldier and mock car accidents
Opening of the New Lambeth Bridge Opening of the New Lambeth Bridge
Non-Fiction 1932 3 mins Silent Location: Lambeth
A newsreel record of the opening of the second Lambeth Bridge by King George V in July 1932.
Sidewalk Surfing Sidewalk Surfing
Cinemagazine 1978 5 mins Silent Location: Lambeth
Skate City on the banks of the Thames
Squatparty Squatparty
Amateur film 1981 17 mins Location: Putney
Female punks have fun boozing, smoking and talking in this fascinating film by London lifestyle chronicler Captain Zip.
Lambeth Links Lambeth Links
Documentary 1962 10 mins Silent Location: Lambeth
A colourful round up of the 1962 Lambeth Festival with fun for all, from a carnival parade to a beauty contest judged by radio’s Alan Freeman.
London from the Air 2 (Fun Palace outtakes) London from the Air 2 (Fun Palace outtakes)
Amateur film 1963 3 mins Silent Location: Westminster
Excellent if somewhat jerky aerial shots of London taken from a helicopter and featuring close-ups of Waterloo, the docks and Tower Bridge.
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.