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Pioneers of Screen Advertising
Almost from the dawn of film, advertising was a part of the filmgoing experience. This collection showcases some of screen advertising's earliest steps, as companies learnt to mimic the evolving forms of film comedy, drama, documentary and animation with the careful addition of their product as co-star.
The Spirit of His Forefathers The Spirit of His Forefathers
Advert 1900 1 mins Silent
One of the earliest surviving British adverts
Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle
Advert 1902 1 mins Silent
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.
Vinolia Soap Vinolia Soap
Advert 1898 1 mins Silent
One of the earliest films showing off a brand: three women pack Vinolia soap into boxes
Changing Hues Changing Hues
Advert 1922 5 mins Silent
Pretty in Pink 1920s style: an innovatively hand-coloured cinema advert for Twink dye.
Trojan Car Advert Trojan Car Advert
Advert 1926 10 mins Silent Location: York
There's no need to renew your socks with the Trojan Utility Car - you simply can't afford not to have one!
Mr.........Goes Motoring Mr.........Goes Motoring
Advert 1925 3 mins Silent
Deceptively simple early animated ad for Shell petrol
Cinema Commercial - Candy Cushions Cinema Commercial - Candy Cushions
Advert 1920 2 mins Silent
Cinema snacks that don’t leave you with sweet nothing when the box is empty.
The Tale of the Amp Lion The Tale of the Amp Lion
Advert 1925 2 mins Silent
Silent cartoon advert that is an actual Heath Robinson contraption.
The Boy Who Wanted to Make Pictures The Boy Who Wanted to Make Pictures
Advert 1924 4 mins Silent
Kodak pocket cameras provide the perfect substitute for a budding portrait artist in this early advert based on the drawings of Harold Bateman.
Bradford Adverts Reel 3 Bradford Adverts Reel 3
Advert 4 mins Silent Location: Bradford
No wearisome overblown advertising for cinema-goers back in 1931, just straightforward advice: don’t risk accidents and “Don’t buy a dud!”
Bradford Adverts Reel 1 Bradford Adverts Reel 1
Advert 1925 3 mins Silent Location: Bradford
Juno-Junipah, for girls, who “want to be bright, vivacious, attractive and slim”, and Carters Little Liver Pills to rejuvenate the elderly.
Bradford Adverts Reel 2 Bradford Adverts Reel 2
Advert 1 mins Silent Location: Bradford
Without trying to be too clever, these advertisements demonstrate the virtue of the uncomplicated: short, sweet and memorable.
Looking Ahead Looking Ahead
Advert 1930 2 mins Silent
Behold the future! Where meals are consumed in pill form, and hankies are washed on television
Does Your Wife Know? Does Your Wife Know?
Documentary 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Kingston Upon Thames
A vicar gets railroaded on the cheap in this silent cinema ad for Southern Railways.
Ransomes Trolley Buses Ransomes Trolley Buses
Promotional 1929 6 mins Silent Location: Maidstone
A study of single and double decker trolley buses, constructed by Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies of Ipswich.
Barbara's Secret Barbara's Secret
Advert 1923 11 mins Silent Location: Devon
Lifebuoy Soap holds the key to love and happiness in a coastal Devon village
Transporting Loads - With or without Roads Transporting Loads - With or without Roads
Advert 1920 5 mins Silent
Global ambitions for the Thornycroft six-wheeled motor vehicle.
The Economist The Economist
Advert 1921 13 mins Silent
Silent comedian Walter Forde takes an illuminating trip around the Osram light bulb factory in this bizarre advertising film.