Unfortunately, I was only two and not old enough to understand or remember that period. I could have done with these programmes being repeated so I could watch and appreciate them for the quality of overall programming!
He was so right about cars. I’m old enough to remember the days before this and even up to the start of the eighties it was better than now as most people could not afford a car. Just look at housing estates in the fifties and sixties and see how much space there is because their are no filthy cars making the place look over crowded but of course, because people prefer to do their shopping under one roof cars are needed more now to transport soulless people to soulless out of town shopping malls and supermarkets, funnily enough those same people bemoan the old days gone but never blame themselves for making it happen for business only develops due to consumer demand. Typical English ( and I’m English), blame everyone else for what they have created!
@@Anonymous-qw or if there is a greater political will to invest in public or local transport, but I guess there has to be business for that matter these days 😔
Not sure if John was using poetic licence when he said, traveling down Southend pier towards the coast of France. But at any rate, it sounds better than the truth, that you would be getting closer to the coast of north Kent.
Hah, I'm there now, the train on the pier is named for him He's right about Chaplin too, in his autobiography he remarks about having come back as an adult and walking down to the front the sea almost looms up at you, think of it every time I walk down
Thank god for John Betjeman
JB doing what he does best: Evoking the nostalgia from times we failed to embrace as he does now!
Another wonderfully evocative film by Betjeman - memories of my long-vanished youth!
Apologies if I’ve commented before but, I really like this programme and watch it every so often.
good ol betch ....i love him..life for me without him is like a sandwich with no filling lolxxx bless you SIR Johnxxx
I've never seen this Betjeman film before....thanks for sharing
Thanks !
By the way, I love that you've posted this. Genius.
I'm amazed at the train fares. All of the under a pound. At least 10 times as much now.
A way of life that has vanished.
Reminds me of the happy day's when England wasn't a horrible place as it's so sadly has become
What do you think of England in 2023?
Not a lot I’m sorry to say
@@DB-np2vg far too many incomers who want here, England to be like there ...
Unfortunately, I was only two and not old enough to understand or remember that period. I could have done with these programmes being repeated so I could watch and appreciate them for the quality of overall programming!
He was so right about cars. I’m old enough to remember the days before this and even up to the start of the eighties it was better than now as most people could not afford a car. Just look at housing estates in the fifties and sixties and see how much space there is because their are no filthy cars making the place look over crowded but of course, because people prefer to do their shopping under one roof cars are needed more now to transport soulless people to soulless out of town shopping malls and supermarkets, funnily enough those same people bemoan the old days gone but never blame themselves for making it happen for business only develops due to consumer demand. Typical English ( and I’m English), blame everyone else for what they have created!
After 2030 when fossil fuel cars are banned it will go back to this, as most people won't be able to afford electric cars.
@@Anonymous-qw or if there is a greater political will to invest in public or local transport, but I guess there has to be business for that matter these days 😔
First shown on BBC1 on Sunday 22nd July 1973.
Sorry to be pedantic but I think you'll find it was first shown on 17th Dec 1972 (genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1972-12-17)
Ah yes, I remember it well
I would have been just three and Play School age then. It also happened to be the day before my mother's 37th birthday.
So sad the volume is difficult for me to fully appreciate.
A pity the sound level is so low: one can barely hear Betjeman's words. Technical quality generally very poor.
Not sure if John was using poetic licence when he said, traveling down Southend pier towards the coast of France.
But at any rate, it sounds better than the truth, that you would be getting closer to the coast of north Kent.
Rog5446 well he always had one didn’t he
At the beginning Alan Bennett says 'in the second film'. Does anyone know what the first film was, and whether it's available on UA-cam?
the savage crosses the channel now
Sadly, almost inaudible.
You call this Part 1... but I have the part before this on VHS about London on a Sunday... any tips on getting it online?!
Join John Betjeman Appreciation Group on Facebook and post
Hah, I'm there now, the train on the pier is named for him
He's right about Chaplin too, in his autobiography he remarks about having come back as an adult and walking down to the front the sea almost looms up at you, think of it every time I walk down
Anyone fancy fish and chips
Why is this film so out of focus with poor quality sound?
It's just one of them things
The sound is fine to me, I am watching it on tv. The picture is not so good though, I suppose it is early videotape.
Before it became Londonistan.
Day return to Southend for 82p!
Didn't we have a lovely time, and all for under a pound
Some films are ruined by lousy music. This is ruined by lousy, quiet sound track
The clue's in the title of the film
3@@@
what the hell
what's up?