You could probably spend a day few days, or in our case years, exploring the BFI Film Archive of old films about London. We recently discovered this treasure called ‘We Are the Lambeth Boys’ and it gives a fascinating insight into Kennington circa 1959.
The film depicts the lives of the girls and boys of Alford House youth club, which still flourishes in Aveline Street, pictured below. To 2019 eyes the 49 minute film appears slightly condescending, but it was in fact intended to dispel conceptions of ‘Teddy Boys’ (hence the conversation about apparel early in the film) and the culture of youth clubs in general.
Examining the (nerd alert!) outside shots of the estates, we think they were filmed around Newburn Street. If you are a fellow fan of ‘ohh, I know where that is’ viewing, scroll to (nerd alert 2!) 33:30 for a distinct view of 50’s Kennington Cross (shown below). If you’re still on board scroll back to (nerd alert 3!) to 26:10 for a glimpse of Cleaver Street toward Cleaver Sq. If you have any further nerd revelations please drop them in the comments box….
I need some nicer clothes…..
A very interesting film, a very early work of the great Karel Reisz (Saturday Night Sunday Morning, This Sporting Life, The French Lieutenant’s Woman), which I saw some years ago in DVD. Good to see that it is now viewable for free on the BFI link. I think the BBC did a follow up 25 years later, tracing the lives of some of the young people featured in the documentary. I wonder if that’s available…that would be fascinating too!
i was one of those taking part and on the opening shots that was our prefab house no 43 montford place adjacent to aveline street great days playing around the bomb sites and factorys which were destoyed i live in Cyprus now and everytime i come back to the UK I go back there and Dream of our lovely tough childhood and tears stream down my face. God bless my KENNINGTON LANE. and to all the great people of Lambeth and Farewell as i dont think i can travel much more
What a wonderful reply, and thanks!
For those wondering which school was featured in the film it was Archbishop Temples in Lambeth Road. Assembly had not changed much when I was there in the 70s.