This film is part of Free
Options
Slicing ham by day, gliding across a dance floor by night - introducing Mr and Mrs Rainbird, proud owners of a grocery shop on Romford Rd, Newham.
Overview
Slicing ham by day, gliding across a dance floor by night, Mr J.W Rainbird and his wife have found happiness and fulfilment in both their marriage and jointly-run business - a grocery shop on Romford Road, Newham. Long days spent serving locals and stocktaking are rewarded with a glass of beer and a skirt around the ballroom dance-floor in the evening.
This was one of a pair of documentaries shown in the ATV slot 'Options'. Alongside The Life and Times of J.W. Rainbird, was Neighbours - a profile of two men who decide to make their permanent home in a wood in Surrey. The idea was to contrast two approaches to life: conventional and unconventional. No prizes for guessing which attitude the Rainbirds were chosen to exemplify.
Related
Docklands Light Railway Comes to Stratford Docklands Light Railway Comes to Stratford
Amateur film 1987 4 mins Location: Stratford
All aboard! Take a peek at the historic moment of the Docklands Light Railway launch, as seen through the eyes of a Newham filmmaker.
West Ham Town Hall & Newham Youth Orchestra West Ham Town Hall & Newham Youth Orchestra
Amateur film 1986 5 mins Location: Stratford
Reopened by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the borough's Centenary celebrations, the West Ham Town Hall hosts a Newham Youth Orchestra Concert.
East End Bids Farewell to the Fuhrer East End Bids Farewell to the Fuhrer
Amateur film 1945 2 mins Silent Location: Stratford
Crowds carry a mock coffin of Adolf Hitler through the streets of Stratford while the Union Flag and bunting hang defiant above the WW2 rubble.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.