rbrooks2008

I don't know the name of the short but there was only ambient sound, no narrative. It was possibly made in the 1970s and in colour.

It starts off at around dawn with the early workers such as the fishmongers of Billingsgate market. IIRC, there's even one of the old Victorian gas street lamps which has to be put out by a man with a pole to turn the gas off.

One of the main daytime scenes I remember, which was returned to several times throughout the film to show progress was the digging up of a road by Council workers. Initially there are various onlookers just watching the Council workers but one old man in particular is hanging around and later seems to act as a self-appointed foreman, much to the annoyance of the workers.

The day ends with the barriers to the newly completed road section being taken down and the sun sets over the Thames and the street lighting man returns to light the gas lamp again.

In my mind, I can imagine that small sections of RVWs London Symphony would be used.

Does anyone remember this film?

Steve Crook

Is James Mason the guide showing us around? If so, it's The London Nobody Knows (1967)

Steve

CALF28

The desciption of this 'short' strikes a chord, I must have seen it, but can't remember much about it. I'm pretty sure it's not 'The London Nobody Knows' as this doesn't have road workers or someone turning the street lamps on and off. If I can dredge it up through the murk I'll get back to you.

DocRobertPepper

I remember this too but i cant for the life of me remember what its called either
its not 'The London Nobody Knows' as i have this and watched it the other day

marker

I watched this about 9 months ago but I am blowed if I can remember the title its not the sandwich man is it ???

Cheers Marker

CALF28

I was about to say I think it's 'The Sandwich Man' but you got there before me Marker. If it's not 'The Sandwich Man' it's one like it, one of those compendium type films. If you find out let me know, I haven't got 'The Sandwich Man'.

Mark O

There is one early 60's BTF Film about a day in the life of London (and Stevenage new town) called 'All that mighty heart', but I don't think it's the one being sought, as it's primarily Transport based........

Mark

rbrooks2008

Thanks for looking, everyone!

I think it was part of the wonderful early Channel 4 afternoon seasons when they must have showed every short in existence including the James Mason one, then went on to the Britain At War season with a plethora of great stuff never to be shown on tv again.

rbrooks2008

That might be worth looking into as I could imagine that they'd cut to those Cadena Cafe type (greasy spoon) places with builders and other people chatting - but we don't make out any voices, just steam from the coffee frothing machine - then again, that could be all in my mind along with the usual young boy pulling the arm of a policeman directing traffic and being told where to go.

I must stop these very strong coffees or start up a GPO Film Unit!

DocRobertPepper

i think your right as i remember seeing this about the same time i saw London Nobody Knows

its not The Sandwich Man as i have this too and i watched it not long ago

CaptainWaggett

Could it be something from this dvd?

Ady

I've bought this dvd, Waggett, - flicked through but haven't watched it "proper" yet, but I don't think it's the one - I'll dig it out and see.

Ady

It's a good DVD, but doesn't include the film RBrooks is looking for.

DB7 - why can't I edit my last post anymore? - I have to post again. ( this first happened when I became a "Senior Member" at 100 posts - before that I could fix links and add edits etc. to posts to make them more useable.)(sorry - wrong place to ask!)

hankoler

I watched one the other week, it was the No. 31 bus from Campden to Chelsea and the film stopped on the way interviewing people ,I thought it was brilliant. It must have been made in the 70s I think.

Steve Crook

You can edit them for a short while after you've made the post. It's the same for all users and doesn't change as your status changes

Steve