Period Features: This is fun – not exactly a period feature film but a series of great little shorts filmed from 1898, featuring Muswell Hill, and there’s even one of a fairground ride in Alexandra Palace. It’s just fascinating to watch living history of our area. And who would have guessed Muswell Hill so nearly completed a famous trio: Hollywood; Bollywood and Mullywood.
The films were all made by film pioneer Robert W Paul 1869-1943. He built the first ever film studio in Britain in Muswell Hill in 1898. I haven’t been able to find out exactly where so if anyone knows please get in touch.During the summer of 1898 he made over 8 shorts including some of the ones here. The story of his involvement in film is really interesting so do go to the following site for a full biography: http://www.earlycinema.com/pioneers/paul_bio.html Although his involvement was quite short-lived people have always recognised the importance of his contribution and contemporaries often referred to him as ‘Daddy Paul’ as a mark of respect.
See the film here, Youtube, Muswell Hill;the first Hollywood?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaPBTlyW7M0
