Glimpse the past through old images of Soho, in London’s City of Westminster.
It is said that Soho got its name from the cries of hunters chasing hares in the area long before it was the central London shopping, business and leisure hub it is today.
Soho Goes Gay 1955
Well of course this was the time the word gay meant happy or joyful.
If you know Greek Street and its environs, you’ll enjoy seeing these familar buildings many decades ago.
But even if you don’t, it’s an amusing look back at some of the antics enjoyed on the streets of Soho back in 1955.
It’s a celebration of the international community that lived in and around the streets of Soho.
Although poor Miss Soho, having to kiss a rather over eager winner of the waiters’ race, with far more than a peck on the cheek!
Soho Goes Gay (1955) – British Pathé on YouTube
Drinking Clubs 1955
Alcohol regulations were quite tight across the UK in 1955, but drinking club regulations was a loophole which led to Soho experiencing a rapid increase in the number of small drinking clubs.
While the pubs were forced by law to close in the afternoons or promptly at 11pm, members floor show clubs could stay open, serving food, drink and putting on a show. These shows were usually scantily clad women dancing alone or in groups, and sometimes stripping.
The area had already become the centre of London’s pornography and sex trades.
Includes a short interview with club owner Paul Raymond, who sports a rather extraordinary hair style.
Clubs Galore! (1958) – British Pathé on YouTube
Soho Carnival 1957
This black and white footage of the local carnival in 1957 has some nice shots of the businesses, pubs and buildings in the backdrop.
Soho Carnival – 1957 (1957) – British Pathé on YouTube
Soho At Night 1968
This silent footage was recorded on a drive round Soho at night, in 1968.
It’s a mix of young men hanging about, and women working in the seedy establishments that littered the area.
Even in 1968, the streets were full of parked cars, which was not the story across the rest of the UK at that time.
Soho At Night (1968) – British Pathé on YouTube
More about City of Westminster
- Old Images of St. John’s Wood, London
- Old Images of Charing Cross, London
- Old Images of St James’s Park, London
- Old Images of Soho, London
- Old Images of Pimlico, London
- Old Images of Paddington Station, London
- Old Images of Paddington, London
- Old Images of Millbank, London
- Old Images of Mayfair, London
- Old Images of Marylebone Station
- Old Images of Marylebone, London
- Old Images of the Regent’s Canal, London
- Old Images of Maida Vale, London
- Old Images of Knightsbridge, London
- Old Images of Hyde Park, London
- Old Images of Belgravia, London
- Old Images of London’s Marble Arch
- Old Images of Covent Garden
- Old Images of London’s Trafalgar Square
- Old Images of Oxford Street, London
