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The drama and spectacle of steelmaking at Ebbw Vale.
Industry sponsored film 1948 42 mins
Atmospheric photography combines with some nifty animation in this directorial debut of documentary master John Krish, here co-directing with Ray Elton, who is better-known as a cinematographer. The witty animation is provided by John Halas and Joy Batchelor, pioneers in the field - and also responsible for the first British animated feature film, Animal Farm (1954).
John Krish went on to become a major documentary director, making several films now considered classics, including the documentaries The Elephant Will Never Forget (1953) and I Think They Call Him John (1964), and a host of public information films. But perhaps his most familiar (though uncredited) work is the iconic credits sequence for the ultra-suave 60s TV series The Avengers.
Public Information Filler 1973 1 mins
Who needs to talk to strangers when you're the only one who can understand the garbled mewling of your best buddy cat, Charley?
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
If you can't stand the heat, Charley, get out of the kitchen and spread your message
Advert 1959 1 mins
"Dad... I want a bike!” Fun animated campaign aimed at 50s parents and their over-eager offspring.
Advert 1959 mins
Official government permission to stagger into work late. Hurrah!
Advert 1948 4 mins
White elephant Willie becomes a volunteer collector for the National Savings scheme in this Technicolor animation
Advert 1964 1 mins
Quirky photo-montage film warning of the perils of drink driving.
Amateur film 1959 16 mins Silent Location: Crumlin
Owen Humberstone Prosser, an expert on railways and canals, captured the Crumlin Viaduct on film in 1959, before its demolition in 1967, a victim of the Beeching rail cuts.
Promotional 1958 17 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
RTB, the Ebbw Vale steel company, records a town highlight, preparations for which have been in train a year, involving organisers, competitors, quarrymen and steel workers.
Amateur film 1937 3 mins Silent Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
Richard Thomas & Co. Ltd (later Richard Thomas and Baldwins) brings government-backed hope to depressed Ebbw Vale with new steelworks.
1953 20 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The steel industry: the men engage with gigantic machines on a huge scale; the apprentice boys help and holiday; the women have their hair done with the stars.
1956 21 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
Only connect: a little Welsh Lady doll, a steel rocking horse, burning Schnapps and the “Limestone Special”.
1949 18 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
RTB has lots to celebrate and Howard Marshall, director of personnel/public relations and the main Ingot Pictorial commentator, downs a pint in one on opening Ebbw Vale House.
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1933 2 mins
Hand-drawn sound experiment by Bauhaus professor László Moholy-Nagy.
Advert 1974 1 mins Location: Shaftesbury
A classic slice of British advertising history, though that hill's not as Northern as it looks...
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Rotherham
Edwardian workers react to the camera at one of Rotherham's major employers.
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Great Moor St, Bolton
Eager youngsters burst out of the gates of a Victorian cotton mill.
Sport 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
It's the first weekend of July 1901, and high society are on the Thames
Advert 1898 1 mins Silent Location: St Pancras
An unusual farewell in this charming early film
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