This film is part of Free
Sam Goes Shopping
Stanley Holloway recounts the exploits of Sam Small, whose wife sends him shopping for... what was it again?
Overview
Popular comedian and monologuist Stanley Holloway recounts another exploit of Sam Small, his most celebrated character, in this fun promo for the Co-Operative Wholesale Society. Sam goes shopping for his wife and forgets what she wants - except that it begins with a ‘D’. Holloway is seen at the start and end of the film, and the appearance of a young Terry-Thomas is a surprise dividend...
From the late 1920s, actor and musical performer Stanley Holloway had begun to record, and incorporate in to his stage act, comic monologues featuring (among many other subjects) the misadventures of Sam Small. The character proved enormously popular, and Holloway kept Sam alive into the early 1950s.
Related
Guinness - Plinths Guinness - Plinths
Advert 1976 1 mins
Pete and Dud prove to be stout football fans in this Guinness commercial recalling a great sporting moment - however fleeting.
Target - Geoff Hurst Target - Geoff Hurst
Advert 1968 1 mins
England's 1966 hat-trick hero doesn't sweat the small stuff - or at all, according to this deodorant commercial.
Close-ups of the Stars Close-ups of the Stars
Advert 1946 6 mins
A triple bill of glamour courtesy of Lux toilet soap.
The Economist The Economist
Advert 1921 13 mins Silent
Silent comedian Walter Forde takes an illuminating trip around the Osram light bulb factory in this bizarre advertising film.
Sam's Birthday Sam's Birthday
Advert 1934 6 mins Silent
Master of the monologue Stanley Holloway salutes his wondrous and capacious new suitcase in this magical advertising film.
Sheila Sim Sheila Sim
Advert 1945 1 mins Silent
Star of stage and screen Sheila Sim explains why she uses Lux toilet soap.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.