This film is part of Free
The Man Who Stayed to Dinner (Rinso Advert)
Explorers, 'cannibals' and minstrels sell soap powder.
Overview
An argument between a 'cannibal' and his wife over the use of a cooking pot provides a narrative to promote the virtues of Rinso soap powder. The demeaning use of black actors and the African setting were intended to underline the 'civilising' benefits of a transition from boil-washing to pre-soaking in Rinso.
Racist notions of the undesirability and 'impurity' of black skin had been used to market cleaning products to white buyers since the early 19th century. Brands including Pears, Sunlight, Vinolia and Fairy commonly featured black children and adults being 'washed white'. An early silent short from 1896 titled A Hard Wash shows a black mother engaged in the same exercise with her child. As part of its mass-marketing strategy, The Man who stayed to Dinner conflates the language and behaviours of blackface minstrelsy with British colonial stereotypes of African people. A closer listen reveals the British accent of the 'cannibal's wife'.
Related
Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901) Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Pendlebury
A black miner makes an intriguing addition to an already captivating film of coal workers up from their pit.
Mr Smith Wakes Up Mr Smith Wakes Up
Public Information Filler 1937 23 mins
A patient African dinner guest learns much about the state of 1930s Britain in this revealing film.
From Trinidad to Serve the Empire From Trinidad to Serve the Empire
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: London
Colonial recruits from Trinidad meet the Lord Mayor of London during WWI
England Beats West Indies in the Final Test England Beats West Indies in the Final Test
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent
The first West Indies Test cricket team visits England and loses all three matches.
Jack Johnson Paying a Visit to Manchester Docks Jack Johnson Paying a Visit to Manchester Docks
Non-Fiction 2 mins Silent Location: Salford
The legendary world heavyweight boxing champion, John Arthur 'Jack' Johnson, visits Manchester.
Trafalgar Day in Liverpool (1901) Trafalgar Day in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Huge crowds turn out in Edwardian Liverpool for the annual celebrations marking the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.