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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.
Advert 1960 22 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
A cinematic catalogue of the flat rolled steel products of Richard Thomas and Baldwins, showing some of their typical applications - car parts, cooker hobs, tins, wheelbarrows.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Documentary 1952 30 mins
Examining a day in the life of what was then the busiest railway system in the world – British Railways.
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
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.
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