Edwardian Ealing - As Seen From Tram

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Rare footage being shown in London Film Festival

Almost all Londoners enjoy - or endure - a daily commute, and even the earliest film makers have recorded trips across the city.

London Moves Me - part of the Capital's Film Festival - is a celebration of transport - a whistle-stop tour from 1896 to 2009 with more than 20 films.

Of particular interest is this BFI film made in 1901 - Panorama of Ealing From a Moving Tram.

It's shot from the top of the tram. On the left is a busy tree-lined street - do you recognise it? Many of the buildings and shops have flags flying including the Union flag.

There are men and women with parasols walking along the pavements. There's an open-top tram full of passengers (many with parasols), a small number of cyclists and horse-drawn traps on the road. The tram passes the `London County Bank and `Phillips' music shop which carries a large sign for pianos.

It is believed to have been filmed after 10th July 1901 when the extension of the tram system to Ealing took place and Ealing was incorporated as a borough, hence the flags and bunting.

How times have changed!

The film festival continues until October 29th

Over 300 films about and featuring London are available to watch free of charge at the Mediatheques in London (BFI Southbank and BFI National Library).

 

 

October 21st, 2009