One Potato, Two Potato (1957) - extract

This film is available to buy as part of the BFI's 'Free Cinema' DVD - http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/info_150.html

Filmed over a 12-month period, this study of children's games played in London streets and playgrounds stands out for its freshness and spontaneity; it remains an important companion piece to Peter and Iona Opie's classic studies of children's games and rhymes.

Director Leslie Daiken demonstrates considerable skill and understanding in the way he captures the children, whose games range from the repetitive tongue-twisters chanted by the girls to a small boy trailing a stick along iron railings.

Made over a decade after the end of the war, the film also stands as a record of the bomb sites that pockmarked London and provided many urban children with a place to play. (Robin Baker)

You can watch this and over 1200 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the new BFI Mediatheque - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• BFI
• London
• children
• games
• playing
• rhymes
• 1950s
• Fifties

[barbgold]

You read more into my answer than was intended. I just said that 'I' don't remember much of the destruction. I am now 64 and my memory of my childhood is not good. The fact of me mentioning my jewishness is that I am Jewish and proud to be so. I do have friends and relatives who will not visit Germany or even travel in a German car. I do not feel this way and neither does my husband.

[barbgold]

Not really sure what you mean. I actually don't remember all the destruction very much. I was born in 1944, at the end of the war. Even though I am jewish, i have visited Germany several times and feel that the majority of the current population should not be condemned for their forebears wrong-doings.

[NIETZSCHEAN14]

@merston77. That is not an argument, it is emotionalism (lol). This exchange is over.

[merston77]

@NIETZSCHEAN14

You're a looney

[NIETZSCHEAN14]

These were the good old days, before Jewish Materialism gave the children MTV. Heads need to roll for the multi-racial and multi-cultural mess that Britain has been forced in to. Always remember, the British never voted for multi-racialism and multi-culturalism, it was forced on them by greedy capitalists, wanting cheap foreign workers. White man, RESIST!

[tarquin45]

I enjoyed the clip, but the blurb 'This film is available to buy as part of the BFI's 'Free Cinema' DVD - above is a bit contradictory isn't it?

[TheWhitehall]

Good to see kids enjoying themselves. Keeping fit and making their own fun and entertainment. The youngsters of today should view this and learn a lesson.

[LokiV]

This the reason i hated girls until i got to the age of about 11 or 12 then i discovered them again and fell in love everyday lol

[lollyclan]

Really enjoyed this! thanks for posting - happy memories. No wonder children were lean then - always active and playing physical games. It was a much better world than today

[AnotherDeadPeach]

I'm scared :S

[paintballer9110]

What.... The Fuck.... Was that?! I was just mind-raped by the most annoying thing I have ever seen.

[rubysson57]

No, nowadays it's the Indians, Chinese,and the Muslims only 'interested in their own kind ' and tend not to marry outside their race/religion.

Let's face it, most of the rest of us were left with little choice. And a decade hence the choices will be even less.

Thanks to smug , arrogant, know nothing dangerous prats like you.