The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Rowntrees Polo Mint: Romeo
“Tis but thy name that is my enemy” is hardly an idea that lends itself to such a strong branded product, but it enlightens the otherwise humdrum.
From the collection of:
Overview
It might seem a rather tenuous connection, Shakespeare and Polo mints, but in among the dozens of soundbites taken from the ordinary man and woman on the street, one at least has managed it. Somewhat ironically, though perhaps not untypically, it takes the one non-native interviewee to make it; although it may not be surprising that an immigrant would be more in tune with the universal theme of Romeo and Juliet.
From the introduction of the hole into Polo mints in 1955, Rowntrees began a mass advertising campaign making much of this new design – taken from the US confectionery Life Savers, which were shaped with a hole in them from 1925. The slogans ‘The mint with a hole’, and later ‘People like Polo’, carried the advertising campaign until at least 1981. The advertising giant J. Walter Thompson collected hundreds of soundbites out on the streets during the 1960s and ‘70s under the heading, “Who likes a Polo?”. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is of course Juliet’s poignant remark when the bigotry of tribal loyalties became a barrier to seeing Romeo for what he truly was, and allowing their love to flourish.
Related
RHM Nimble: Tennis Woman RHM Nimble: Tennis Woman
Advert 1964 0 mins
An advertisement for Rank Hovis McDougall’s Nimble bread featuring a female tennis player.
Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency
Advert 1957 0 mins
15 seconds isn't long, you've got to say Crosse and you've got to say Blackwell, and you've got to say Branston Pickle!
Lyons Maid Lolly Gobble Choc Bomb Lyons Maid Lolly Gobble Choc Bomb
Advert 1974 0 mins
Animated advert for the much loved strawberry ice lolly, with chocolate and sugar balls and a chocolate bar inside!
Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market
Advert 1972 1 mins
In 1972 Britain entered the European common market full of beans. What could go wrong?
Shippam's Real Chicken Shippam's Real Chicken
Advert 1955 0 mins Silent
This short advert tells you that only real chickens can apply to be Shippam's chickens
Cadbury's Chocolate The Factory in a Garden Cadbury's Chocolate The Factory in a Garden
Advert 1931 3 mins Silent
A mouth-watering glimpse of the art and craft that went into making and decorating Cadbury’s chocolates in the 1930s.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.