Leisure time in the 1960s and 70s,John C Woolston
Standard 8mm film Colour Mute 1969 16:46
Summary: Collection of scenes from a wide range of locations and events throughout London, giving an all-rounded view of the time they were shot, 1960s-70s. Most scenes portray leisure-time activities, such as carnivals and trips to the beach and model villages. We see families visiting all these places on sunny days, possibly during holidays, painting a light and happy atmosphere. The film also includes shots of a trade union march and a military parade.
Title number: 20382
LSA ID: LSA/26882
Description: Opening with an animated sequence that reads “Party Fun”, this film shows a variety of shots from across London, ranging from carnivals, beaches, boats, and marches.
It begins with a lively Carnival with people on floats, such as the London Theatre Float, all in fancy dress and waving to the people below. Shots are quite high, meaning we don’t see much of the audience attending, but more of the colourful and elaborate floats. One of them, “Its Kodak for colour”, with a beach theme, making a point with the colourful parasols. There’s a shot of a group of men wearing helmets, which by the bobbing of heads seems like they’re on horses.
Then the film moves to Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s a busy day as people stroll along the river, filled with swans and boats, with a view of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We see shots of a young boy outside a cottage, grinning at the camera and holding a hammer, working on a birdcage.
The film skips to a very different event, a trade union march, with banners reading “London Trades Council born 1860 and still forging on” and “Bus and Rail workers we’re all in the same boat”. As in the carnival, shots are quite high and we don’t see clearly the number of people attending, but we can still tell it’s a large gathering, including a marching band.
Yet another change in scene, to Southend-on-Sea, where we see yachts sailing over glistening sea, and a submarine with a Union Jack. The film takes us to views of the beach and cliffs above, being a very busy day, with many people walking along the shore.
We’re taken back to a carnival, Bethnal Green Carnival, where people are dancing, a marching band, and a float caring the carnival Queen waving at the large crowd. Children and adults all watch the spectacle. There are a wide variety of themed floats, Roman, Native America, one porting a large butterfly made from flowers, etc. There are also shots of the British Czechoslovak dance group, adding to the diversity of the event.
Then we go back to the sea, with scenes of fishing boats and fishermen. It’s a lovely day on the beach, where families are gathered. Beautiful shot of the pier from the beach, waves crashing on the shore as children play in the water. We then see visitors walking around Hastings Model Village. Families with young children walking around on a lovely sunny day, peering into the little windows of the model houses and windmills, people in short-sleeves and dresses, enjoying time under the sun.
The film’s theme varies widely but seems to have the reoccurring scenes of the sea. We watch a passenger boat, the Royal Sovereign, pulling in, seeing the captain and crew, as well as the families, disembarking. This is followed by shots of everyone having fun on the beach, jumping on trampolines, and smaller boats sailing in the water. Back to Bourton on the water, where the Model Village is located, where we see shots of the countryside, cottages, and the town.
There is large thematic change to a ceremony/parade, possibly the opening session of parliament. Large parades of soldiers, as well as a marching band, walk in front of dignitaries; white horses pull along a golden carriage. Floats of elephants, bands, and people in fancy dress follow them.
Finally, we see a line of black cabs branded “Carry on Cabby” driving down the street, with final shots of St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, and a park with a football match and children playing by the pond.
Keywords: Carnival; beach; carnival parade; Family holidays; Trade Union March; Model Village; Royal Sovereign
Locations: UK, England, London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bourton-on-the-Water
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