This film is part of Free
The Six-armed Image
Comic strip animal favourites of the 1920s continue their epic animated adventure around the world
Overview
Were you in the Wilfredian League of Gugnuncs? Pip the dog, Squeak the penguin and Wilfred the rabbit were comic strips stars of the 1920s and beyond. Bertram Lamb and A.B. Payne’s characters appeared in the Daily Mirror from 1919 to 1956, and in 1921 they featured in an animated series produced by Lancelot Speed.
Here they disembark an airship to land on the mysterious Island of Anchovy, escape the clutches of a mysterious idol, board a steamer to Calcutta and reach the top of Mount Everest. That this is all squeezed into one episode (number 11 of perhaps 25) shows how epic their journey was. Sadly only a handful of episodes survive, but see Popski’s Early Life also on the BFI Player.
Related
Falling in the Water Falling in the Water
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
Kids don't always listen to their parents. But in the 70s they certainly listened to a giant ginger tabby cat...
Goodwill To All Dogs Goodwill To All Dogs
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1960 6 mins
An animated xmas with paper dog Snap
The Feline Fun The Feline Fun
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1986 13 mins Silent
The shenanigans of Cuthbert-Tiggy, the mischievous kitty who enjoys a tipple. An intriguing combo of stop-motion animation and live action.
Bonzo No. 5 Bonzo No. 5
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1925 9 mins Silent
Dreams of a Rarebit Hound, as the loveable cartoon pup Bonzo discovers that a late night sausage feast can lead to some disturbing dreams
The Clown and His Donkey The Clown and His Donkey
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1910 3 mins Silent
A pioneering effort in bringing shadow puppetry to the cinema
Superted Superted
Children's 1975 9 mins
Don’t tell the Spotty man but Superted has a new friend. A stop motion predecessor of the superhero teddy idea
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.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
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.
Hen Do Hen Do
Comedy 2023 2 mins
En-route to her hen weekend, bride-to-be Faye kills the vibe with a bombshell confession.
Daytimers Daytimers
Documentary 2023 2 mins
An insight into Daytimers, the South Asian DJ collective that are breaking new ground in Britain.