Free
Musicals!
Want to escape our troubled times? Immerse yourself in the emotional, life-enhancing pleasures of the musical.
Our Free collection highlights the history of the British musical, which took on assorted early manifestations under the guise of adverts, filmed performances, revue shows and star vehicles. But there are some some real ground-breaking delights to be sampled here, including Britain's first colour widescreen musical (Five Guineas a Week), the first feature shot on location in Ulster (Devil's Rock) and the extraordinary The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown, a rare surviving 60s TV musical with a female black lead.
Five Guineas a Week Five Guineas a Week
Musical 1956 33 mins
1950s song and dance revue set in a colourful world of boarding houses and coffee bars
Devil's Rock Devil's Rock
Drama 1938 51 mins Location: Bangor
Will new open-air microphone technology give Richard Hayward the chance to silence his critics? Watch as Cushendun and Bangor steal the show.
Shooting Stars Shooting Stars
Comedy 1937 32 mins
Black music hall stars Scott and Whaley perform stereotypical minstrel routines in blackface in this 1937 touring revue.
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Twinkling Fingers Twinkling Fingers
Musical 1940 11 mins
Pianists Charlie Kunz and Mark Hambourg tickle the ivories for our entertainment in this jolly musical short.
Song of Toledo Song of Toledo
Musical 1953 31 mins
This merrily musical short film takes a jovial trip across picturesque 1950s Spain aboard the Talgo Express
Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée) Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée)
Music video 1961 3 mins
The musical motorcycles hit Paris to a Cuban vibe.
There's Reason in Rhumba There's Reason in Rhumba
Musical 1939 12 mins
Rhythm and romanticism rules over realism in this recreation of the origins of the rhumba dance
Co-operette Co-operette
Advert 1938 15 mins
See silly slapstick, music, mayhem and a daffy dance-off between a carrot and an onion in this lively colour film advertising Co-op stores.
Swingonometry Swingonometry
Musical 1943 17 mins
Short revue film starring female performers Renara, Irene Cutter and Shirley Lenner, plus Harry Parry and his Band.
Happy in the Morning: A Film Fantasy Happy in the Morning: A Film Fantasy
Advert 1938 12 mins Silent
Musical performers Henry Hall and his Orchestra hog the limelight in this promotional film, ostensibly for Ascot gas water heaters.
Britannia of Billingsgate Britannia of Billingsgate
Comedy 1933 78 mins Location: Southwark Park
A star is born in this effervescent musical comedy that moves between Billingsgate Fish Market and the glamour of the film world.
Bob in the Pound Bob in the Pound
Advert 1943 2 mins Silent
Fun-filled singalong savings ad with a dangerously catchy theme tune.
Discoveries Discoveries
Comedy 1940 68 mins Location: Highbury
This morale-boosting variety extravaganza – filled with radio personality Carroll Levis' discoveries - is like a wartime Britain's Got Talent.
Miss Norah Blaney Miss Norah Blaney
Musical 1932 9 mins
A risqué music hall ditty uncovers the pioneering gender-bending ways of 1930s young things
Cabaret Cabaret
Musical 1945 10 mins
Set during rehearsals for a cabaret show, this short film features singer Rosalind Melville.
Hot Water and Vegetabuel Hot Water and Vegetabuel
Comedy 1928 9 mins
"Don't be cruel to a vegetabuel": delightful pair of music hall numbers from the eccentric writer of Jollity Farm.
Sweethearts Forever Sweethearts Forever
Musical 1945 34 mins
Feast your eyes on a bewildering barrage of forgotten British variety turns in this strange low-budget novelty short from 1945.
Gorno's Italian Marionettes Gorno's Italian Marionettes
Musical 1928 6 mins
Early sound film of a popular stage puppet show that reveals the unpleasant stereotypes of its age.
Splinters Splinters
Comedy 1930 83 mins
Great songs and great legs in this all-male revue make for an evocative early talkie.
Let's Ask the Ladies Let's Ask the Ladies
Musical 1937 23 mins
A Co-op window dresser dreams of his mannequins coming to life in this musical fashion fantasy.
More from Musicals! in our Rentals collection.
Song of the Builder Song of the Builder
Musical 1936 2 mins
A mystery musical short - gorgeous footage of steelworkers with a lively calypso soundtrack
More from Musicals! in our Subscription collection.