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Cats v Dogs
Pampered pooches or fabulous felines? It’s the eternal popularity contest.
From human companions to internet superstars, cats and dogs have long been in competition for the top spot in our affections. In this collection our age-old infatuation is laid bare in home movies and newsreels, in dramas, comic skits and animation. We were capturing our fluffy friends’ antics on film long before the smartphone arrived - in fact since the very dawn of cinema. But the big question is: which is the best? You decide!
Mingo & Jerry, Thea and Jerry Mingo & Jerry, Thea and Jerry
Home movie 1931 1 mins Silent Location: Llandegfan
Mingo, Jerry and Thea: names of the dogs or people seen? Either way, they will be connected, for sure, with Isla Johnston of Bryn Mêl, Glyngarth, Anglesey, who shot the footage.
Hot Dogs Hot Dogs
Documentary 1970 10 mins Location: Bingley
The quirks of a whippet race, with novices in winklepickers learning from the old hands, all fully elucidated in broad West Yorkshire dialect.
Firewatch Dog Firewatch Dog
Government sponsored film 1943 1 mins
An English Bull Terrier warns wartime cinema goers to put their cigarettes out with more care.
Pwtan the Kitten Pwtan the Kitten
Home movie 1960 2 mins Silent Location: Pwllheli
Gardener’s nightmare: a kitten at large in a flower bed!
Farming Scenes at Little London Farming Scenes at Little London
Amateur film 1935 12 mins Silent Location: Little London
Little disturbs the peace in Little London - despite some foxhunting, polo and the Second World War!
Ginger Tom Ginger Tom
Amateur film 1950 1 mins Silent Location: Winspit
Oh to be Ginger Tom the cat and while away the hours!
Cat & Dog Life Cat & Dog Life
Non-Fiction 1928 6 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Dogs and cats go on show at two princely London venues – among them some of the fluffiest kittens London is ever likely to see.
Cats on the Hearth Cats on the Hearth
Public Information Filler 1957 9 mins
Lovers of cute cats will lap up this RSPCA film, about how to make friends with your feline
Sparta the Dog Sparta the Dog
Amateur film 1957 22 mins Silent Location: Great Yarmouth
An affectionate record of a family pet, Sparta the Springer Spaniel who leads a full and active life, but with plenty of cuddles from her family.
Farm work: earth, oats, milk and concrete Farm work: earth, oats, milk and concrete
School programme and Educational film 1959 11 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
On the farm there is heavy work to be done (ploughing, silage-making, concrete-ing) and lighter jobs (feeding fluffy chicks and tabby cats).
Dog Show Classes Dog Show Classes
Amateur film 1932 5 mins Silent Location: Stockport
Now don't laugh! A dog show is a serious matter for these young owners and their pets.
Dog Years Dog Years
Comedy 2004 4 mins
Sweet and funny short about a potty-mouthed dog who loves his owner
Plas Newydd, Anglesey Plas Newydd, Anglesey
Home movie 1924 10 mins Silent Location: Plas Newydd
Three loyal labradors - Brandy, Biscuit and Bran – are solid members of the dog fraternity that is part of life at ‘Plas Newydd’.
The Cat that Walked by Himself The Cat that Walked by Himself
Children's 1983 15 mins Location: South Shields
Appealing 1980s animation of Rudyard Kipling’s children’s fable in which a cave woman’s magic fails to tame a cat with attitude.
Parsonage Farm II – cats, ducks, cows, daisies - and seagulls Parsonage Farm II – cats, ducks, cows, daisies - and seagulls
Home movie 1941 3 mins Silent
It’s summertime and it’s fun for the Pym children - Michael and Frances – to play on the duck house and pick daisies.
Me and My Two Friends Me and My Two Friends
1898 0 mins Silent Location: Worthing
A beatific image of Victorian childhood
The Lassie and Her Dog The Lassie and Her Dog
Comedy 1901 3 mins Silent
A pet dog submits to his mistress’s beautifying ministrations
The Cat and the Woman, A Cautionary Tale The Cat and the Woman, A Cautionary Tale
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1987 2 mins
A woman loses her head to a cat in return for a man.
Rover Makes Good Rover Makes Good
Children's 1952 16 mins Location: Callington
A rascally sheepdog redeems himself when he goes to the rescue of two children trapped in an old Cornish tin mine
Boy and the Cat Boy and the Cat
Amateur film 1976 10 mins Location: South Shields
A boy and his cat make mischief in the snow at South Shields in this captivating hand-drawn childrens animation created by Sheila Graber.
Matches Matches
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
Home safety is child's play if you have the feline guardian angel of the 70s on hand
Look What the Cat Dragged In Look What the Cat Dragged In
Drama 2017 12 mins
After Christopher becomes a prisoner in his own home, the persistence of a scratchy stranger tugs him back into reality- feet first.
Goodwill To All Dogs Goodwill To All Dogs
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1960 6 mins
An animated xmas with paper dog Snap
Almost Human Almost Human
Sponsored film 1943 3 mins Silent Location: Cambridge
Possibly the cutest and quirkiest road safety film you are ever likely to watch, featuring a purely canine cast and a grocery shopping trip.
Street Scenes III: Raining cats and dogs Street Scenes III: Raining cats and dogs
School programme and Educational film 1975 16 mins Location: Wandsworth
Horses pulling beer and a police dog feature in this children’s TV series that show children what they can see in the streets around them.
I Dog I Dog
Children's 1983 5 mins Location: South Shields
Meet a puppy dog in a “warm, hairy world” who would like you to cater for his every need.
A Cat Is a Cat A Cat Is a Cat
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1971 9 mins
…and that is that. A playful animated meditation on our feline friends with some beautiful artwork.
Boguy and Oger at Pen-y-Parc Boguy and Oger at Pen-y-Parc
Home movie 1931 2 mins Silent Location: Pen-y-parc
Two playful pekineses plant themselves on a garden parapet at Pen-y-Parc, Beaumaris, Anglesey, preventing over-heating by protruding their tongues, which flap prettily.
Auctioning Dogs for Middlesex Hospital Auctioning Dogs for Middlesex Hospital
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Some adorable pooches go under the hammer at Crystal Palace at an auction led by local celebrity, actress Gladys Cooper, raising funds for a London hospital.
Christmas Celebrations and the Cruel Cat Christmas Celebrations and the Cruel Cat
Amateur film 1969 4 mins Silent
It's Christmas Day and while the family enjoys their annual feast the cat is having a Christmas 'banquet' of its own.
Parsonage Farm III – kids, cat, chick and children Parsonage Farm III – kids, cat, chick and children
Home movie 1942 4 mins Silent
Arnold William Pym’s entrancing shots of Parsonage Farm’s animals: goat kids encounter a cat, and a cat is fazed by a chick!
Moorlands Moorlands
Amateur film 1962 6 mins Location: Moorlands
A rather different view of the world, as seen through the eyes of a poodle, as “Mimi” is taken for a walk by two ladies in their summer dresses.
Bonzo Bonzo
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1924 10 mins Silent
Long before Gromit met Wallace, a silent British dog became a cartoon star
Parsonage Farm I – cats, dogs, children and tea-time Parsonage Farm I – cats, dogs, children and tea-time
Home movie 1951 14 mins Silent
Life at Parsonage farm includes courageous cats, cute kittens, sweet Shetland collies, appealing puppies and kids in the kitchen.
In the Kitchen In the Kitchen
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
If you can't stand the heat, Charley, get out of the kitchen and spread your message
£100 Reward £100 Reward
Crime 1908 7 mins Silent
A spirited crime-busting yarn for dog lovers everywhere, as man's best friend proves his worth
Dogs of High Degree Dogs of High Degree
Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent Location: Hammersmith and Fulham
Pekingese and daschunds – as well as a tiny puppy – are shown cavorting happily at this dog show in West London.
Sheep Dog Sheep Dog
Drama-documentary 1939 15 mins Location: Treorchy/Treorci
The Ocean Coal Co. employed not just miners but also shepherds, as evidenced here. Tom Jones of Treorchy protects the company's assets above ground with care and great skill.
Feline Reincarnate Feline Reincarnate
Amateur film 1976 11 mins
Driven to distraction a young man murders another, however the dead victim’s feline reincarnation wants revenge!
Stanley Stanley
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1979 4 mins
What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? This dark, sultry cartoon encounter with a feline might leave you lost for words.
CDF - Dog Food Advertisement CDF - Dog Food Advertisement
Advert 1964 1 mins
This nostalgic advert introduces all new CDF - Chicken Dog Food - for pampered pooches, puppies and their discerning owners everywhere
The Child, Dog and Pram The Child, Dog and Pram
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
This Victorian girl is engrossed in her games, and no wonder, with a dog, two cats and a doll to play with
Nantgwynfynydd Isaf Farm - cattle and beets, dog and cat, hedging and hay Nantgwynfynydd Isaf Farm - cattle and beets, dog and cat, hedging and hay
Home movie 1960 10 mins Silent Location: Oakford/Derwen Gam
A new tractor is delivered, ‘Agriquipment’ demonstrate hedging but then disaster strikes: a muddy road brings down a lorry load of hay.
Fire Fighting Wolf Hounds Fire Fighting Wolf Hounds
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Roehampton
Bravura performance from some German Shepherds, who leap over high walls and through burning barriers at this demonstration in Roehampton.
The Feline Fun The Feline Fun
Amateur film 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.
Three Dogs in a Boat Three Dogs in a Boat
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Sink or swim as Rub and his chums are set adrift
To the Rescue To the Rescue
Children's 1952 21 mins Silent Location: Biddenden
An eccentric dog-loving grocer leads the chase to reclaim a stolen pedigree poodle in this madcap canine comedy
Mummy Should Know Mummy Should Know
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
Killjoy, or conscience of a generation? Charley cat scuppers a playdate, but earns a fishy picnic through doing the right thing
Dog Days at Richmond Dog Days at Richmond
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Richmond
Pampered hounds and proud owners on parade at a huge dog show in Richmond.
Woman, Dog and Pups Woman, Dog and Pups
Interest film 1901 1 mins Silent
Beautifully-preserved early film of a young girl feeding some excitable puppies
Crufts 1962 Crufts 1962
Amateur film 1962 10 mins Silent Location: Olympia
Heads up, tails up, ears brushed? Furry frolics from London's Olympia, and a starring role for man's best friend.
Blackpool Outdoor Dog Show 1960 Blackpool Outdoor Dog Show 1960
Amateur film 1960 12 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Have a doggy treat - and meet some very well groomed visitors to Blackpool.
Teapot Teapot
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
Charley's cat-astrophic teatime hijinks leave him with a burning message to share