London’s River

This 9.5mm pathescope film illustrates a 1920s tour down the Thames. From Hampton Court to the Pool of London the viewer is taken on an evocative journey through the historic heart of England’s capital.

Hampton Court
“… and downward flows the steam which, besides being liquid history, becomes Liquid Interest, for near Teddington one comes to London’s smallest railway…”
“Then passing Richmond bridge…”
“…one comes to a quiet stretch of water between Putney and Mortlake…”
“…but how different is this same stretch on one particular day of the year!…”
“… when Oxford vies with Cambridge for supremacy of the river…”
“Then Chelsea where Whistler lived…”
“…seeing from his windows the river he loved to paint… dimmed by the mist which was characteristic of his patinings… as this…”
“And further down is the Tate gallery – where you may see Whistler’s world-famous paintings for yourself…”
“Next Lambeth Bridge – a crazy structure …”
“…but leading to one of the statliest homes of England – the town residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since the close of the twelth century….”
“Now the London’s river that even the Londoner knows! No need to say what this is!”
“Here is a study in contrasts – the lordly embankment…”
“…with Cleopatra’s famous needle…”
“And opposite the gaunt and dingly wharves of the Surrey side..”
“On we go past Blackfiars and St Pauls…”
“… we come to the pool of London…”
“…and so, as it laps the daily flood of merchandise which helps to keep London alive…” “on a sombre charm it flows on – but it seems to flow with a less joyous note – for soon it will be lost in the characterless waters of the sea.”