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Charley's Black Magic

Cartoon propaganda short sweetens the pill of post-war coal prices by promising jam tomorrow

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1949 9 mins

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Overview

With coal prices rising and harsh winters in recent memory, post-war Britain was understandably grumpy. The irascible Charley featured in a series of cartoon propaganda shorts communicating many new policies of Clement Atlee’s Labour government, which promised a brighter future ahead. Charley was always quickly turned around with the promise of jam tomorrow, but post-war austerity was still a bitter pill for many to swallow.

The seven Charley films released between 1948 and 1949 were all produced by Halas & Batchelor Cartoon Films, who would go on to make Britain’s first animated feature film, Animal Farm, in 1954.

Director
Joy Batchelor and John Halas
Featuring
Harold BerensJack Train
Genres
Animation & Artists Moving ImagePublic Information Filler
Released
1949
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English

Subjects

Coal Collieries