This film is part of Free
Potatoes
Austerity Britain reaches for the humble spud in this earnest wartime cookery film.
Overview
Austerity Britain reaches for the humble spud in this earnest wartime cookery film, sponsored by the Ministry of Information. While a no-nonsense narrator delivers practical do's and don'ts - "never use cold milk - it makes them sad and heavy" - a model-of-efficiency housewife demonstrates how to save fuel, preserve goodness and achieve that "nice floury quality". And with recipe suggestions ranging from the depressingly drab (jackets stuffed with leftovers and chopped onion), to the downright distasteful (grated-potato pudding crust, anyone?), it's a startling reminder of just how food habits have transformed since the 1940s.
If you find the taters a little bland, the filmmaking is rather lacking in seasoning too - especially when compared with the wonderfully funny Public Information films of Richard Massingham, or the extremely punchy 'Food Flash' series. Other culinary delights from the MOI's Cookery Hints included: Herring; Oatmeal Porridge; Steaming and Casserole Cookery. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
Related
Bampton Shows the Way Bampton Shows the Way
Government sponsored film 1941 18 mins Location: Bampton
Patriotic tale of a Devon village winning the war with carrot Christmas cake and granny's favourite recipe.
Another Little Drop... Another Little Drop...
Advert 1942 2 mins
National Flour at the ready: peppy WWII cookery short sponsored by Vim.
Abcd of Health Abcd of Health
Instructional film/TV programme 1942 9 mins
Healthy eating advice goes down easy in this fun public information film.
Wicked Witch (Rinso Advert) Wicked Witch (Rinso Advert)
Advert 1942 2 mins
Only a witch would be wicked enough to help Hitler on washing day, warns this fun wartime soap powder ad.
Make-do-and-mend Make-do-and-mend
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1945 1 mins
A wartime family look on in amazement as their old clothes offer useful advice on how to make their clothing coupons go further.
Rationing in Britain Rationing in Britain
Government sponsored film 1945 11 mins
The fundamentals of rationing on Britain’s home front during the Second World War.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.