Friday, July 22, 2011

Thamesmead: 21st Century Town


Quick hello to share this clip of a recent documentary about the embattled Thamesmead housing development in London. Internet, why didn't you tell me about this earlier? Some amazing footage culled from lost public information films intended to spread the gospel about Thamesmead and the like. I've mentioned one of these films earlier, but I didn't know it starred Veruca Salt from the Gene Wilder version of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, as well as the redheaded Spencer Banks of Timeslip and Penda's Fen! Total celluloid bliss. And from the looks of the archive, it seems like there's loads more where that comes from.

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6 comments:

  1. Mark CurrieJuly 25, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Thanks for linking to the film - the fulll54 minute version is available on DVD at http://chocolatefilms.com/shop/product/details/43/thamesmead-21st-century-town. And if you use the promotional code THAMES21C, it's only £8 + P&P

    Best

    Mark Currie
    Chocolate Films

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  2. - Jb.July 25, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Really good find, Ben. Nice bit of KPM at the very end there, too ('Rebel' by J.Moran).

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  3. BenJuly 25, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Lovely film, Mark. Thanks for writing. So many riches but above all I love the interview with Charmian Saward -- I'm sure she had lots of stories to tell. Really thoughtful documentary -- looking forward to seeing the whole thing.

    Nice sleuthing, Jb. I wonder if it's another KPM track playing while the young couple bounces into the information centre to rent a flat.

    Loving the new Advisory Circle!

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Great stuff. I assume that you're aware of these truly amazing Thamesmead school photographs from the late 70s, but just in case... http://www.flickr.com/photos/7718785@N06/sets/72157600401357917/with/3811303657/
    Someone should put on an exhibition of these and publish a book at the same time.

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  5. BenSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Woah, thanks. I didn't know about this. Amazing photos!

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    I'm really glad I pointed you in their direction. I could watch that slideshow all day.
    The same guy has some great shots of Thamesmead from the same period
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7718785@N06/sets/72157600935791115/
    Plus lots of other interesting collections.

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