BELL HOUSE CHANNEL
View our past webinars below.
Discover Dulwich's connection with cinema's first 'Talkie' - The Jazz Singer; the early days of film making at the Gaumont outdoor film studio on Dog Kennel Hill and the wealth of film stars ranging from Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing, Rosamund John to Michael Crawford and a host of actors who have lived here. Join local historian Brian Green who combines a lifetime’s collection of images of past Dulwich together with first-hand memories and unparalleled research knowledge. This online illustrated local history talk will open your eyes to Dulwich’s remarkable, and often forgotten, place in the history of cinema, from pioneering film studios to the celebrated actors who once called it home.
Despite accumulating wealth and fame as an actor and later establishing his College of God's Gift in Dulwich, which brought him social status, Edward Alleyn could not let go of his first love for the stage and the company of fellow actors. Local historian Brian Green will give an illustrated account of the highs and lows of Alleyn’s Fortune Theatre situated just beyond the City wall at Cripplegate. Using original detailed theatrical plans, biographies of its actors and the historical accounts of plague, political interference and ultimately the London Blitz which destroyed it, the talk explores Dulwich's 350 year long connection.
Dulwich is an interesting and attractive area of London with ample evidence of its past through the medium of documents, map illustrations and photographs. Yet the area is constantly changing, evolving over time because of wars, social, economic and technical change which have been its drivers. Local historian Brian Green attempts to explain some of these catalysts in this illustrated talk.
Alleyn Road has a pleasant wide aspect with large houses on both sides, it was not like that originally. Although building started in the 1860s, the final houses on the west side were not completed until the early 1890s. Prior to 1900, the east side consisted of the fences of the back gardens of the larger houses in Alleyn Park and it took almost a further 100 years for this side of the road to be fully developed, the last houses being completed in the 1990s. Ian McInnes' talk will cover not only the houses and their builders, but also a range of their occupiers, many of them notable, and interesting, characters.
Historic Kingswood House in South Dulwich, is now under the management of Kingswood Arts, and has become a not-for-profit cultural and community centre. The building we see today dates from the 1890s but there has been a house there since 1814. Ian McInnes will take the story up to WW2 covering the more notable and influential owners and its years as a Canadian Army hospital in WW1.
Just over 100 years ago, the last of the huge old mansions on the northern side of Dulwich Village were demolished. This illustrated talk by Ian McInnes will cover all five, The Hall, Menival/Fairfield, Lake House/Chinese Cottage, the White House/St Austins and Beech House/Warigul along with their wealthy occupants, many of them influential Victorian entrepreneurs.
Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery will present a history of taste through masterpieces from the Gallery's Collection. From its outset, the Gallery has been at the forefront of innovation and creativity.
Spot the difference and see how much (or how little) has changed in Dulwich then and now. Brian Green has a lifetime’s collection of images of past Dulwich together with first-hand memories, interviews with past residents and hours spent in the archives.
For a full list of our past films, please click the button below: