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Cats v Dogs

Pampered pooches or fabulous felines? It’s the eternal popularity contest.

From human companions to internet superstars, cats and dogs have long been in competition for the top spot in our affections. In this collection our age-old infatuation is laid bare in home movies and newsreels, in dramas, comic skits and animation. We were capturing our fluffy friends’ antics on film long before the smartphone arrived - in fact since the very dawn of cinema. But the big question is: which is the best? You decide!

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Mingo & Jerry, Thea and Jerry Mingo & Jerry, Thea and Jerry

Home movie 1931 1 mins Silent Location: Llandegfan

Mingo, Jerry and Thea: names of the dogs or people seen? Either way, they will be connected, for sure, with Isla Johnston of Bryn Mêl, Glyngarth, Anglesey, who shot the footage.

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Hot Dogs Hot Dogs

Documentary 1970 10 mins Location: Bingley

The quirks of a whippet race, with novices in winklepickers learning from the old hands, all fully elucidated in broad West Yorkshire dialect.

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Firewatch Dog Firewatch Dog

Government sponsored film 1943 1 mins

An English Bull Terrier warns wartime cinema goers to put their cigarettes out with more care.

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Pwtan the Kitten Pwtan the Kitten

Home movie 1960 2 mins Silent Location: Pwllheli

Gardener’s nightmare: a kitten at large in a flower bed!

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Farming Scenes at Little London Farming Scenes at Little London

Amateur film 1935 12 mins Silent Location: Little London

Little disturbs the peace in Little London - despite some foxhunting, polo and the Second World War!

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Ginger Tom Ginger Tom

Amateur film 1950 1 mins Silent Location: Winspit

Oh to be Ginger Tom the cat and while away the hours!

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Cat & Dog Life Cat & Dog Life

Non-Fiction 1928 6 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace

Dogs and cats go on show at two princely London venues – among them some of the fluffiest kittens London is ever likely to see.

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Cats on the Hearth Cats on the Hearth

Public Information Filler 1957 9 mins

Lovers of cute cats will lap up this RSPCA film, about how to make friends with your feline

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Sparta the Dog Sparta the Dog

Amateur film 1957 22 mins Silent Location: Great Yarmouth

An affectionate record of a family pet, Sparta the Springer Spaniel who leads a full and active life, but with plenty of cuddles from her family.

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Farm work: earth, oats, milk and concrete Farm work: earth, oats, milk and concrete

School programme and Educational film 1959 11 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall

On the farm there is heavy work to be done (ploughing, silage-making, concrete-ing) and lighter jobs (feeding fluffy chicks and tabby cats).

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Dog Show Classes Dog Show Classes

Amateur film 1932 5 mins Silent Location: Stockport

Now don't laugh! A dog show is a serious matter for these young owners and their pets.

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Dog Years Dog Years

Comedy 2004 4 mins

Sweet and funny short about a potty-mouthed dog who loves his owner

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Plas Newydd, Anglesey Plas Newydd, Anglesey

Home movie 1924 10 mins Silent Location: Plas Newydd

Three loyal labradors - Brandy, Biscuit and Bran – are solid members of the dog fraternity that is part of life at ‘Plas Newydd’.

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The Cat that Walked by Himself The Cat that Walked by Himself

Children's 1983 15 mins Location: South Shields

Appealing 1980s animation of Rudyard Kipling’s children’s fable in which a cave woman’s magic fails to tame a cat with attitude.

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Parsonage Farm II – cats, ducks, cows, daisies - and seagulls Parsonage Farm II – cats, ducks, cows, daisies - and seagulls

Home movie 1941 3 mins Silent

It’s summertime and it’s fun for the Pym children - Michael and Frances – to play on the duck house and pick daisies.

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Me and My Two Friends Me and My Two Friends

1898 0 mins Silent Location: Worthing

A beatific image of Victorian childhood

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The Lassie and Her Dog The Lassie and Her Dog

Comedy 1901 3 mins Silent

A pet dog submits to his mistress’s beautifying ministrations

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The Cat and the Woman, A Cautionary Tale The Cat and the Woman, A Cautionary Tale

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1987 2 mins

A woman loses her head to a cat in return for a man.

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Rover Makes Good Rover Makes Good

Children's 1952 16 mins Location: Callington

A rascally sheepdog redeems himself when he goes to the rescue of two children trapped in an old Cornish tin mine

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Boy and the Cat Boy and the Cat

Amateur film 1976 10 mins Location: South Shields

A boy and his cat make mischief in the snow at South Shields in this captivating hand-drawn childrens animation created by Sheila Graber.

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Matches Matches

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins

Home safety is child's play if you have the feline guardian angel of the 70s on hand

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Look What the Cat Dragged In Look What the Cat Dragged In

Drama 2017 12 mins

After Christopher becomes a prisoner in his own home, the persistence of a scratchy stranger tugs him back into reality- feet first.

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Goodwill To All Dogs Goodwill To All Dogs

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1960 6 mins

An animated xmas with paper dog Snap

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Almost Human Almost Human

Sponsored film 1943 3 mins Silent Location: Cambridge

Possibly the cutest and quirkiest road safety film you are ever likely to watch, featuring a purely canine cast and a grocery shopping trip.

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Street Scenes III: Raining cats and dogs Street Scenes III: Raining cats and dogs

School programme and Educational film 1975 16 mins Location: Wandsworth

Horses pulling beer and a police dog feature in this children’s TV series that show children what they can see in the streets around them.

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I Dog I Dog

Children's 1983 5 mins Location: South Shields

Meet a puppy dog in a “warm, hairy world” who would like you to cater for his every need.

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A Cat Is a Cat A Cat Is a Cat

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1971 9 mins

…and that is that. A playful animated meditation on our feline friends with some beautiful artwork.

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Boguy and Oger at Pen-y-Parc Boguy and Oger at Pen-y-Parc

Home movie 1931 2 mins Silent Location: Pen-y-parc

Two playful pekineses plant themselves on a garden parapet at Pen-y-Parc, Beaumaris, Anglesey, preventing over-heating by protruding their tongues, which flap prettily.

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Auctioning Dogs for Middlesex Hospital Auctioning Dogs for Middlesex Hospital

Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace

Some adorable pooches go under the hammer at Crystal Palace at an auction led by local celebrity, actress Gladys Cooper, raising funds for a London hospital.

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Christmas Celebrations and the Cruel Cat Christmas Celebrations and the Cruel Cat

Amateur film 1969 4 mins Silent

It's Christmas Day and while the family enjoys their annual feast the cat is having a Christmas 'banquet' of its own.

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Parsonage Farm III – kids, cat, chick and children Parsonage Farm III – kids, cat, chick and children

Home movie 1942 4 mins Silent

Arnold William Pym’s entrancing shots of Parsonage Farm’s animals: goat kids encounter a cat, and a cat is fazed by a chick!

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Moorlands Moorlands

Amateur film 1962 6 mins Location: Moorlands

A rather different view of the world, as seen through the eyes of a poodle, as “Mimi” is taken for a walk by two ladies in their summer dresses.

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Bonzo Bonzo

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1924 10 mins Silent

Long before Gromit met Wallace, a silent British dog became a cartoon star

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Parsonage Farm I – cats, dogs, children and tea-time Parsonage Farm I – cats, dogs, children and tea-time

Home movie 1951 14 mins Silent

Life at Parsonage farm includes courageous cats, cute kittens, sweet Shetland collies, appealing puppies and kids in the kitchen.

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In the Kitchen In the Kitchen

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins

If you can't stand the heat, Charley, get out of the kitchen and spread your message

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£100 Reward £100 Reward

Crime 1908 7 mins Silent

A spirited crime-busting yarn for dog lovers everywhere, as man's best friend proves his worth

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Dogs of High Degree Dogs of High Degree

Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham

Pekingese and daschunds – as well as a tiny puppy – are shown cavorting happily at this dog show in West London.

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Sheep Dog Sheep Dog

Drama-documentary 1939 15 mins Location: Treorchy/Treorci

The Ocean Coal Co. employed not just miners but also shepherds, as evidenced here. Tom Jones of Treorchy protects the company's assets above ground with care and great skill.

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Feline Reincarnate Feline Reincarnate

Amateur film 1976 11 mins

Driven to distraction a young man murders another, however the dead victim’s feline reincarnation wants revenge!

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Stanley Stanley

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1979 4 mins

What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? This dark, sultry cartoon encounter with a feline might leave you lost for words.

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CDF - Dog Food Advertisement CDF - Dog Food Advertisement

Advert 1964 1 mins

This nostalgic advert introduces all new CDF - Chicken Dog Food - for pampered pooches, puppies and their discerning owners everywhere

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The Child, Dog and Pram The Child, Dog and Pram

Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent

This Victorian girl is engrossed in her games, and no wonder, with a dog, two cats and a doll to play with

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Nantgwynfynydd Isaf Farm - cattle and beets, dog and cat, hedging and hay Nantgwynfynydd Isaf Farm - cattle and beets, dog and cat, hedging and hay

Home movie 1960 10 mins Silent Location: Oakford/Derwen Gam

A new tractor is delivered, ‘Agriquipment’ demonstrate hedging but then disaster strikes: a muddy road brings down a lorry load of hay.

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Fire Fighting Wolf Hounds Fire Fighting Wolf Hounds

Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Roehampton

Bravura performance from some German Shepherds, who leap over high walls and through burning barriers at this demonstration in Roehampton.

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The Feline Fun The Feline Fun

Amateur film 1986 13 mins Silent

The shenanigans of Cuthbert-Tiggy, the mischievous kitty who enjoys a tipple. An intriguing combo of stop-motion animation and live action.

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Three Dogs in a Boat Three Dogs in a Boat

Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Sennen

Sink or swim as Rub and his chums are set adrift

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To the Rescue To the Rescue

Children's 1952 21 mins Silent Location: Biddenden

An eccentric dog-loving grocer leads the chase to reclaim a stolen pedigree poodle in this madcap canine comedy

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Mummy Should Know Mummy Should Know

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins

Killjoy, or conscience of a generation? Charley cat scuppers a playdate, but earns a fishy picnic through doing the right thing

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Dog Days at Richmond Dog Days at Richmond

Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Richmond

Pampered hounds and proud owners on parade at a huge dog show in Richmond.

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Woman, Dog and Pups Woman, Dog and Pups

Interest film 1901 1 mins Silent

Beautifully-preserved early film of a young girl feeding some excitable puppies

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Crufts 1962 Crufts 1962

Amateur film 1962 10 mins Silent Location: Olympia

Heads up, tails up, ears brushed? Furry frolics from London's Olympia, and a starring role for man's best friend.

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Dogs in the Surf Dogs in the Surf

Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent

Victorian pooches at play

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Blackpool Outdoor Dog Show 1960 Blackpool Outdoor Dog Show 1960

Amateur film 1960 12 mins Silent Location: Blackpool

Have a doggy treat - and meet some very well groomed visitors to Blackpool.

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Teapot Teapot

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins

Charley's cat-astrophic teatime hijinks leave him with a burning message to share