BBC Television - Interlude Film - London to Brighton in 4 minutes

London to Brighton in Four Minutes, made by the BBC Film Unit in 1952, was a favourite of many viewers during the 1950s. In those days one never knew when it would be screened, but it often popped up when there was an unscheduled gap between programmes. Apparently the journey on the Brighton Belle was filmed at 2 frames per second, thus at the normal projection speed of 24fps a speed of 60 mph becomes 720 mph. The cameraman was sitting in the cab with the train driver and hand cranking the film camera. Each reel of film was only 1000ft and so the camerman had to change the film during the journey. When editing the film these "gaps" were filled with a shot of the train driver.

This film footage is from the Archive Collection held by the Alexandra Palace Television Society.

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[Mancat42]

After listening to the opening and closing voiceover several times I am sure that the voice is that of the famous broadcater David Jacobs. If I am wrong please let all viewers know who it is  Mancat42

[aptsarchive]

@Mancat42 Having listened to the voiceover many times over the years I doubt it is David Jacobs. Having looked at the listing of this film no one is mentioned as providing the voiceover, but will see what we can find out for you.

[aptsarchive]

@Mancat42 After some research it has now been confirmed that the voiceover on this film is David Lloyd James, who was a broadcaster/presenter/announce­r for BBC Television, as well as Head of the Central Presentation Unit. David was also an ITN newscaster from October 1955 to January 1956. Hope this helps.

[digitalbroadcaster]

Amazing archive. I'm just thankful that some people managed to retain some of these old jewels of the small screen. Does anyone remember one of the interludes that showed a mother packing her kids into a car and driving for miles and miles through the Swiss Alps (I think?), arriving on top of a mountain just to hang up washing on a line? I remember it vaguely from my then five year old memory (now 47) and it is is driving me mad as I keep thinking about it! Thanks, and thanks for posting.

[aptsarchive]

@digitalbroadcaster Glad you enjoyed the upload.  I'm afraid that from your description we are not able to identify the interlude film you mention.

[biffthebass1]

Excellent! I remember this when it came out. My parents had TV in 1951. It brings back so many memories. Many thanks.

[aptsarchive]

@biffthebass1 Glad you enjoyed viewing this classic interlude film. We do have other interlude films on our YouTube channel, which I hope you have also watched.

[wadisupyo]

whats with all the super long comments?

[MrStan1941]

That's a golden oldie which of course predated the first sub 4 min mile (6 MAY 1954 @OXFORD)

[mrmousebender]

I am confused about something: the cutaways to the engineer were used to fill the gaps when they had to change the film magazine. The first film from the train is at 1:05, and the first cutaway is at about 2:38. What kind of film magazine only holds ninety seconds' worth of film?

[maccagrabme]

Great. I think we should have trains that can travel this speed by now. It would be the equivalent of the victorians going from horse and cart to train.