03 July 2013

Color movies of London in 1927


From the archives of the British Film Institute:
Incredible colour footage of 1920s London shot by an early British pioneer of film named Claude Frisse-Greene, who made a series of travelogues using the colour process his father William - a noted cinematographer - was experimenting with. It's like a beautifully dusty old postcard you'd find in a junk store, but moving.
The resolution is good enough for full-screen enjoyment. Makes me wish I had a WABAC machine for day trips.

4 comments:

  1. Yes! Mr. Peabody and his boy, Sherman! I've dreamed of being able to travel back in time to solve ALL of the world's mysteries: Kennedy's assassination, etc.

    My husband just wants to go ahead in time to get the winning lottery numbers...

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  2. What most surprises me about this wonderful footage is that (except for Petticoat Lane) the pedestrian traffic is so light. In similar movies of that other big city (NYC) the sidewalks are packed. For that matter, motor traffic here is also thin. Filmed on a Sunday, perhaps?

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  3. I'd be curious so see those same areas today, from the same camera angle if possible, and during the same date/time. It would be an interesting comparison.

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  4. Awesome video. Really nice to see the old London and traffic free London. Trams , Boats and lots. It makes a difference.

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