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The Art of Advertising
There's an art to selling, as any ad man or woman will tell you. And Britain's screen advertising has been among the most artistically ambitious of all.
This collection highlights the evolution of an extraordinarily dynamic industry, from its first faltering steps in the earliest days of film, to the highly sophisticated mini-masterpieces of the television age. It showcases the astonishing variety of approaches, strategies and tricks advertisers have used to part us with our money - entertaining us even as they subtly manipulate us with promises of a new, tastier, brighter, cleaner, healthier and better life.
Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best BicycleRudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle
Advert19021 minsSilent
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.
The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste)The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste)
Advert19415 mins
An amazingly complex cinema ad, disguised as a trailer for a film that never existed
Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert)Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert)
Advert19403 minsSilent
This propaganda advert encourages housewives to use Persil, the powder that gives “longer life to your linens”.
Barbara's SecretBarbara's Secret
Advert192311 minsSilent Location: Devon
Lifebuoy Soap holds the key to love and happiness in a coastal Devon village
Molar MischiefMolar Mischief
Advert19462 mins
Look out, germs at work! These loveable molar mischief making puppets really dig tooth decay.
The Spirit of His ForefathersThe Spirit of His Forefathers
Advert19001 minsSilent
One of the earliest surviving British adverts
Murder in the AirMurder in the Air
Advert19354 minsSilent
“There is nothing you can beat about the Bush”: the wireless wows in this stylish ad for Bush Radio.
At Home with Joy Shelton An Advertising FeatureAt Home with Joy Shelton An Advertising Feature
Advert195522 mins
Wipe your feet and enter the home of actress Joy Shelton in this early ‘ad mag’.
Signs of the Times No.3Signs of the Times No.3
Cinemagazine19505 minsSilent
“The magazine of the screen” takes an advertorial approach, mixing advertising films with entertaining news stories.
Bairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - For Boys and GirlsBairns-Wear Wools and Woollies - For Boys and Girls
Advert19600 mins Location: Sherwood
From a smart cricket jumper to brightly coloured woollies, Bairns-Wear suits all: from birth to teenager.
Jumble JumbleJumble Jumble
Advert19452 mins Location: York
As the war comes to an end, and with an expectation that an end to food rationing would soon follow, why not indulge in a chocolate treat?
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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.
Cinema Advertising Comes of Age
The 1930s saw screen advertising find its voice. That wasn't just down to the arrival of the 'talkies', but to the increasing professionalism of ad agencies and production companies.
Commercial Television
The launch of ITV on 22 September 1955 brought advertising to the small screen. Commercial television spread rapidly across the country, inviting the salesperson into every living room.