The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
The Fertiliser Salesman
Fertiliser and farce on Teesside with ICI’s satirical players, The Smoker.
From the collection of:
Overview
Two salesmen on the road in Teesside face off for a lucrative farm contract in the explosive, dog-eat-dog world of fertiliser sales. A seductive farmer’s wife swings the pitch ICI’s way despite the swagger of the stylish rival salesman from Fisons. ICI’s muck-spreading satirical team, The Smoker, lampoon their company’s old-fashioned sales technique in an irreverent farce full of silent film ‘pratfalls’.
A rich amateur theatrical tradition sprang up at ICI on Teesside, which included the Synthonia Players group. But this irreverent 1960s production, filmed by the ICI Billingham Film Unit, was created for the Norton Hall ‘Smoker’, a hotbed of comedy and satire. Their annual concert, a version of the famous Cambridge Footlights revue, was attended by the ICI elite, including the Chairman, Lord Fleck. The Synthonia Club was open to all employees, but Norton Hall was not. Its membership was restricted to higher grades of staff.
Related
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.