This film is part of Free
Signs of the Times
Seeing is believing when you want your whites brilliant white. Old Mother Riley in beautiful Technicolor!
Overview
Seeing is believing and with a packet of Persil you too can wash whiter. Three curious Persil washing powder adverts screened within the popular Signs of the Times screen magazine for cinema audiences. Old Mother Riley, Arthur Lucan and Kitty McShane demonstrate the beauty of a brilliant white tablecloth - possibly their only appearance together in colour - while Ellis Powell, Mrs Dale of the BBC Radio Tips programme, gives her radio daughter Gwen, played by Joan Newell, a demonstration of Persil washing whiter.
Related
The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste) The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste)
Advert 1941 5 mins
An amazingly complex cinema ad, disguised as a trailer for a film that never existed
Symphony in Colour (Persil Advert) Symphony in Colour (Persil Advert)
Advert 1942 5 mins
Super soft-sell Persil ad, in the guise of a lush Technicolor essay on colour itself.
Music Hath Charms Music Hath Charms
Advert 1935 4 mins
Pratfalls galore in rib-tickling commercial for Bush radios.
Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert) Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert)
Advert 1940 3 mins Silent
This propaganda advert encourages housewives to use Persil, the powder that gives “longer life to your linens”.
Let's Ask the Ladies Let's Ask the Ladies
Musical 1937 23 mins
A Co-op window dresser dreams of his mannequins coming to life in this musical fashion fantasy.
Murder in the Air Murder in the Air
Advert 1935 4 mins Silent
“There is nothing you can beat about the Bush”: the wireless wows in this stylish ad for Bush Radio.
British Cinema Breaking with Convention British Cinema Breaking with Convention
Inside Film 2010 30 mins
Jonathan Romney and a panel of directors defend the unorthodox and original in modern British cinema.
Rhianna Dhillon introduces I'm Still Here Rhianna Dhillon introduces I'm Still Here
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon introduces the Oscar-winning Brazilian drama.
180° Rule - BFI LFF 2020 - Q&A 180° Rule - BFI LFF 2020 - Q&A
Inside Film 2020 11 mins
Farnoosh Samadi, the director of 180° Rule, and actor Sahar Dolatshahi in conversation following an online screening at LFF 2020.
Dreams of a Life (Q&A) Dreams of a Life (Q&A)
Inside Film 2011 14 mins
Director turned detective Carol Morley (and actor Zawe Ashton) explain how an anonymous death changed both of their lives.
The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
Directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard talk about their film, which unpacks a suitcase of love letters that inspired an album by Emilíana Torrini.
Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A) Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 45 mins
Afrika Bambaataa and DJ, musician and filmmaker Don Letts discuss the development of Afrofuturism and its key artists.