This film is part of Free
This film is certified
- Titles in this collection may contain language or other content that reflect views prevalent in their time but that may cause offence today.
Cry of the Crippled Children
Johnny Be Good... a silent docudrama about curing disabled children, set in 1920s London
Charity appeal 1921 12 mins Silent
Overview
Follow young slum-dweller Johnny's journey from sad, outcast "cripple" to a cured and mischievous lad, as a beneficent stranger helps his distraught mother to access hospital treatment. This fascinating silent film gives us insight into a pre-NHS health system, where hospital charity appeals were vital to develop services. Disability is portrayed as needing a cure, without which a grim life lies ahead.
Accessibility
Related
Fundraising and Charity
A Lead in the Right Direction A Lead in the Right Direction
Charity appeal 1965 5 mins Location: Southport
A charity appeal film promoting guide dogs comparing the daily lives of blind people with and without them.
Lady Allen Lady Allen
Government sponsored film 1971 14 mins Location: Chelsea
Engrossing 1970s TV profile of Lady Allen of Hurtwood - passionate campaigner for every child's right to play
Broken in the Wars Broken in the Wars
War 1918 8 mins Silent
Film pioneer Cecil Hepworth raises awareness of a royal fund to support servicemen wounded in WWI
Susan Goes to Sompting Susan Goes to Sompting
1961 13 mins Location: Folkestone
Veteran tennis commentator Peter West takes us on a journey around a boarding school for disabled children.
Chance Encounter Chance Encounter
Campaigning film 1978 17 mins
A brief encounter between film director David Lean and Leonard Cheshire, who speaks about his work in India for disabled people
Birthday Birthday
Children's 1954 10 mins
Four children spend the day roaming London and looking for birthday presents for their younger brother, who has polio.
New
Blue Pullman Blue Pullman
Industry sponsored film 1960 24 mins
A new luxury express is put through its paces. This film looks over the shoulders of the select band of craftsmen, engineers and operators, whose combined skills try to ensure that a train journey is a delightful experience.
The Scene from Melbury House The Scene from Melbury House
Documentary 1973 15 mins
British Transport Films record the varied daily lives of their neighbours as seen from the high roof of their building in London’s Marylebone.
Fully Fitted Freight Fully Fitted Freight
Industry sponsored film 1957 20 mins
Illustrating the efficiency of express freight trains, and how they link manufacturers with their customers at the other end of Britain.
Train Time Train Time
Documentary 1952 30 mins
Examining a day in the life of what was then the busiest railway system in the world – British Railways.
This Is York This Is York
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
A Future on Rail A Future on Rail
Industry sponsored film 1957 9 mins
A 1957 film examining the future for British Railways, and some of the opportunities provided by a new modernisation plan.