I've just received the monthly film catalogue from Moviemail: www.moviemail-online.co.uk.
Delighted to see at least a dozen GPO Film Unit historical documentaries are now available on DVD.
Vol 1: Addressing the Nation; features work by distinguished directors and covers 15 films from the period 1933-35.

The Coming of the Dial (Stuart Legg, 1933), Cable Ship, Alexander Shaw, Stuart Legg, 1933),
Granton Trawler, (John Grierson, 1934), John Atkins Saves Up (Arthur Elton, 1934), Air Post (Geoffrey Clark, 1934), The Glorious Sixth of June, (Alberto Cavalcanti, 1934), Pett and Pott, (Alberto Cavalcanti, 1934), 6.30 Collection, (Harry Watt, Edgar Anstey, 1934), Weather Forecast, ( Evelyn Spice, 1934),
Song of Ceylon, (Basil Wright, 1934), A Colour Box, (Len Lye, 1935), Coal Face, (Alberto Cavalcanti, 1935), The King's Stamp (Wm Coldstream, 1935), BBC The Voice of Britain (Stuart Legg, 1935), and
Sixpenny Telegram, Donald Taylor, 1935).     Price: £16.99      rrp £24 99

Other documentaries include "Night Mail" (1936) with commentary written by WH Auden and Britten's score.    Price £12 99       rrp £15 99     Good bonus features.   Exceptional value.

The GPO 30s Britain is available in 3 vols.    £11 99 each       rrp £15.99.

Antheil, are you thinking of Metroland, a film where Betjeman journeys along the end of the Metropolitan line meeting some of the people there (including one gentleman with a huge Wurlitzer-type organ in his living room)? Beautiful 1970s fashion too.

I also have a copy of Trains and Buttered Toast, a collection of transcripts of some of JB's radio talks. Wonderful stuff, and a mention of ilex in every single one.

No, no, Lady_DHS, the journey and, particularly the actress, is a always a matter of celebration for me.   Any time,   Any day.     "You've been a long way away.   Thank you for coming back to me."    (Fade in Rach 2).

Your response to Anty was also timely.    Metro-Land, indeed.    You reminded me that I had, in fact, recorded Metro-Land from BBC 4 on a video recording, a few weeks ago.   ; I bet my DVD recorder was equally busy recording a Prom.   Retrieved it from the usual pile-up and had a shufti at the witching hour - intending to check that it HAD been recorded, before transfer to DVD today - and I was so charmed by the locations in Herts and Middlesex, I managed to permit an extra Glenfiddich to wend me on my way.

In particular, I applauded the mix of 1972 (the year of filming) and earlier historical footage; the coverage of the British Empire Exhibition (1924), at Wembley, is a particular joy.   But I was captivated from the start; the footage of the Chiltern Court Restaurant (above Baker Street Station) with a string quartet in residence.   A casual state of grace.   No rush hour and stressed bodies.   A stop at Marlborough Station (St John's Wood) with the house of Thomas Hood (1799-1845) looking down on the deserted platform.   The line would have cut through the poet's garden.   The journey yielded to fill the meadowlands and I did admire the architecture of the house, occupied by W S Gilbert.   A cunning sequence filmed a luncheon gathering of local ladies, in the house.   ALL in 'Celia' hats, of course.   All of 'em educated in the necessity for good breeding!    The biddies smoking, too. 

Dear John Betjeman as our most gracious guide.    Instant reminders of working with Ralph Richardson - a year or two before the documentary.   JB pre-occupied with an internal life, as was RR, but they were both razor sharp beneath the facade.   

Lordy me, hasn't the world moved on! 

David, that is quite wonderful! 

I LOVE this one...

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/films/1964to1979/filmpage_vote.htm

Breaking News! It's also available on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvD-dLvHG9E

Shame about the watermark, but it's a true classic!

Mmmm. Nice sheepskin, Stanley! 

I hadn't realised that Metroland had been shown lately    I love all those old black and white grainy films, so utterly romantic but I guess the reality of living in those times wasn't romantic at all.  I would have liked to be a lady in a hat who lunched.

Didn't John Betjeman, when he was dying, asked if he had any regrets replied "I wish I had had more sex"

I'll have to have a good view of that site at the weekend, thanks David.