This film is part of Free
From the Smoke to the Sunshine
Hop to it! East Enders flock to sunny Kent for a hop-picking holiday in this cheery newsreel.
Overview
For many Londoners in the early 20th century, a few weeks' work picking hops in the Kentish countryside was the closest to a holiday they'd get. It was hard graft, but these cheery East Enders keep their chins up - even when accidents happen.
This annual migration was a favourite recurring topic for newsreels like Topical Budget. For another glimpse of the hopping season in the 1920s, try ''Oppin' Makes You 'Earty!', also available on BFI Player.
Related
Local Trader's Gazette Local Trader's Gazette
Advert 1930 9 mins Silent Location: East Sussex
This amazing discovery shows how cinema advertising used to look in Bygone Britain - a truly nostalgic gem of a film for lovers of Britain's past
Britain, Kingdom of the Seas Britain, Kingdom of the Seas
1981 29 mins Location: Devon
Conservationists stand guard as the National Trust and National Trust for Scotland keep a vigilant watch on the UK’s coastline
Last Chord: The Life Story of a Merchant Seaman Last Chord: The Life Story of a Merchant Seaman
Amateur film 1947 12 mins Location: Kent
There's high drama in this short film from Sonny Hanson and R P Cue - which features a maritime tragedy and men of the Dungeness lifeboat service
Family Holidays Family Holidays
Amateur film 1935 13 mins Silent Location: Kent
Three summer holidays feature in Ernest Freelove's film - with beach frolics, miniature trains and Grandma's 1930s style mobility scooter
Ramsgate to Richmond Ramsgate to Richmond
Amateur film 1967 12 mins Silent Location: Ramsgate
Join the jolly crew aboard this cabin cruiser as it journeys from Ramsgate to Richmond in John Clague's fascinating maritime epic
Filmic Review: no. 1 Filmic Review: no. 1
Amateur film 1934 14 mins Silent Location: London
A Barnes Brothers spectacular which takes in London's pageants, Margate's crowds, Birchington's carnival and Land's End's rocky coastline
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.