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This cheery newsreel item was released to coincide with the annual mass
migration of London's East Enders to the hopfields of Kent every September. With its title's
humorous mocking of Cockney speech and its light subject and treatment, 'Oppin
by Motaw!' is typical of the upbeat joviality favoured by Topical Budget in its
lighter items.
The annual hop-picking season was much anticipated by London's poor working
classes, not only for the valuable extra income it offered, but also for the
chance of fun family gatherings in the clean country air. For poor city
dwellers, travelling 'by motaw', however crowded and uncomfortable, would have
been considered a cut above any other form of transport.
The event appears to have become a recurring fixture on the Topical
calendar, as can be seen from a similar piece, 'Oppin Makes You Earty'
(Topical Budget 731-2, 1925).
Sue Woods
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Complete film (0:59)
