O Dreamland (1953)

Dreamland entrance, with amusements at the front and Dreamland written down the side of the building

Dreamland © Markus Kellmann

Director: Lindsay Anderson
Kent Locations Used: Dreamland

O Dreamland (1953) is a short documentary film made in 1953 by just the director Lindsay Anderson (If…, Britannia Hospital) and a cameraman and is about amusement park Dreamland in Margate.

The film takes the audience on a tour of Dreamland in Margate and its various attractions such as bingo, arcades, rides, café and mechanical puppets set to background noise and music.

The 12 minute film was made with basic equipment – a single camera and an audiotape recorder and after completion it was shelved and likely never to be shown however Anderson decided to screen the film as part of the Free Cinema programme.

Dreamland had been closed since 2006 but there was a redevelopment of the site. It re-opened to the public in June 2015.

Margate is a delightful seaside town with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, galleries and period housing. Margate has become a popular location having previously welcomed productions such as Sky Atlantic drama The Tunnel (2012), BBC One’s improvised drama True Love (2012) and feature film Last Orders (2002).

O Dreamland (1953) was released in 1953 and is currently available to stream for free on BFI Player.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.