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Animation Goes to Work
For those with an official message to get across, animation is the perfect messenger
Animation has an almost magical ability to charm and captivate. And those same qualities also make it a strikingly effective communication tool. It grabs attention, speaks to all ages, and can distil complex messages into simple and appealing visual metaphors. For government or other august bodies, cartoon antics have often been the perfect jam to sweeten the pill of official communications, whether to explain sweeping change or impart health and safety messages. And for the inventive animator, even the most utilitarian brief is no barrier to the most outlandish of treatments.
StrangersStrangers
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Who needs to talk to strangers when you're the only one who can understand the garbled mewling of your best buddy cat, Charley?
Giro - Fast and LooseGiro - Fast and Loose
Animation & Artists Moving Image19359 minsSilent
Don’t listen to Slacky the Sloucher or Giro the Germ will stage a jailbreak – public health cartoon by the Health & Cleanliness Council
Pan-tele-tronPan-tele-tron
Animation & Artists Moving Image195710 mins
Ye Gods! It’s the future of telecommunications – as seen through a cartoon modern lens from the 1950s
John the BullJohn the Bull
Advert19305 mins
Bloody foreign cows coming over here and becoming our dinners
The Dream of Arthur SleapThe Dream of Arthur Sleap
Advert19721 mins
Dangerously addicted to boring old movies? This is a case for Dr BFI, as demonstrated in this 1970s animated promo
"T" For Teacher"T" For Teacher
Animation & Artists Moving Image19475 minsSilent
Do you know the golden rules of tea making? The Tea Bureau set out to put your cuppa straight in this progressively designed post-war cartoon
Robinson CharleyRobinson Charley
Animation & Artists Moving Image194810 mins
No man is an island, but Charley represents his nation in this economical cartoon tale of Britain’s economics
The Story of TimeThe Story of Time
Animation & Artists Moving Image195010 mins
… as brought to you by Rolex, with the help of incredible model animation.
A Modern Guide to HealthA Modern Guide to Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image19469 mins
Modern advice and old-fashioned values combine in this postwar animated health guide from the makers of Animal Farm
Mummy Should KnowMummy Should Know
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Killjoy, or conscience of a generation? Charley cat scuppers a playdate, but earns a fishy picnic through doing the right thing
Tufty - ShoppingTufty - Shopping
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 minsSilent
The lure of a toy shop proves almost too much for Tufty the squirrel
Abu and the Poisoned WellAbu and the Poisoned Well
Animation & Artists Moving Image19438 mins
Hitler as a snake and Mussolini as a toad feature in this British propaganda cartoon made for distribution in the Middle East
Pretend You'll SurvivePretend You'll Survive
Animation & Artists Moving Image19819 mins
Nuclear nightmares realised in cartoon form by a Yorkshire women’s collective that advocates protest over pointless preparation
Bob in the PoundBob in the Pound
Advert19432 minsSilent
Fun-filled singalong savings ad with a dangerously catchy theme tune.
Compost HeapCompost Heap
Animation & Artists Moving Image19422 mins
A talking cabbage plant will win you over in this Second World War cartoon trailer, which has a surprising charm.
Charley's Black MagicCharley's Black Magic
Animation & Artists Moving Image19499 mins
Cartoon propaganda short sweetens the pill of post-war coal prices by promising jam tomorrow
Pattern for ProgressPattern for Progress
Animation & Artists Moving Image194842 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The drama and spectacle of steelmaking at Ebbw Vale.
Local Government: A History in PicturesLocal Government: A History in Pictures
Animation & Artists Moving Image194911 mins Location: Norwich
An illustrated history of the thousand years of local government in Norwich
Balance 1950Balance 1950
Animation & Artists Moving Image19518 minsSilent
Stylish – and unusual – animated short
Christmas Is ComingChristmas Is Coming
Animation & Artists Moving Image19511 minsSilent
Santa's on strike! This charming animation for the GPO advises early posting to keep Father Christmas onside.
Summer TravellingSummer Travelling
Animation & Artists Moving Image19451 mins
Delayed trains, crowded carriages, and standing room only: Blitz spirit makes a parent's nightmare commute a walk in the park
Charley in New TownCharley in New Town
Animation & Artists Moving Image19488 mins
Charley says (no, not that one) that Britain’s new towns are great
Think of the FutureThink of the Future
Animation & Artists Moving Image19568 mins
A highly animated answer to the question of rising living standards.
The CandlemakerThe Candlemaker
Animation & Artists Moving Image195713 mins
An animated tale with a Lutheran message that's equal parts Christmas spirit and good old-fashioned guilt
For Better, For WorseFor Better, For Worse
Animation & Artists Moving Image196111 mins
Married to your television? This cartoon gives you an opportunity to re-evaluate your relationship with the gogglebox
Cycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and SonCycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and Son
Advert19591 mins
"Dad... I want a bike!” Fun animated campaign aimed at 50s parents and their over-eager offspring.
Stagger Working Hours: CattleStagger Working Hours: Cattle
Advert19590 mins
Official government permission to stagger into work late. Hurrah!
LFF Trailer 1995LFF Trailer 1995
Animation & Artists Moving Image19951 mins
Aardman turn the cinema screen into a mirror and offer this delightful portrait of the typical film festival audience
Drink Drive Office Party Cartoon Drink Drive Office Party Cartoon
Advert19641 mins
Quirky photo-montage film warning of the perils of drink driving.
Man of No AccountMan of No Account
Advert19611 mins
Cartoon modernism meets modern banking in this innovative cinema ad for Barclays Bank
Is This a Record?Is This a Record?
Animation & Artists Moving Image197322 mins
Pythons join Frank Muir, Connie Booth and Willie Rushton celebrating the Guinness Book of Records.
Solid FuelSolid Fuel
Advert19650 mins
A chorus of coal fires sing for their cut-price supper in this short animated ad for the National Coal Board.
The Rise of Parnassus NeedyThe Rise of Parnassus Needy
Animation & Artists Moving Image196614 mins
From rhymes to riches – Parnassus Needy finds success thanks to his Barclays bank manager
A Mug's Game, Or, How to Squash a Lemon HeadA Mug's Game, Or, How to Squash a Lemon Head
Animation & Artists Moving Image19674 mins
Yo-yo, Pogo and Splat (guess which one's the lemon head?) feature in this innovative stop-motion railway safety film
The Princess and the Wonderful WeaverThe Princess and the Wonderful Weaver
Animation & Artists Moving Image196812 mins
It’s the 60s – what better way to sell wool than animating a spurious fable about a mile-high naked princess?
G.E.C. 1G.E.C. 1
Animation & Artists Moving Image19696 mins Location: Liverpool
An animated call to arms against factory closures on Merseyside, mixing Terry Gilliam-style stomping feet with agitprop angst.
Rate Rebates 1969Rate Rebates 1969
Animation & Artists Moving Image19691 mins
Zippy public information animation on how to keep up with the Joneses - by getting a rebate on rates.
Careful CharlieCareful Charlie
Animation & Artists Moving Image19703 mins
Cartoon calamities are in store for the proper Charlie in this rail worker safety message, but there's serious advice too
Streets AheadStreets Ahead
Animation & Artists Moving Image197020 mins Location: Exeter
Miracle urban renewal and redevelopment in Victorian Newtown, Exeter.
Space InvaderSpace Invader
Animation & Artists Moving Image19821 mins
Kitsch public information filler inspired by the classic arcade game
Little Johnny Head-in-AirLittle Johnny Head-in-Air
Animation & Artists Moving Image19717 mins
Bill Blinky, a mansize Belisha Beacon, teaches daydreamer Little Johnny head-in-air the Green Cross Code - a song with a road safety message.
Children and Disused RefrigeratorsChildren and Disused Refrigerators
Animation & Artists Moving Image19711 minsSilent
Public information film about the dangers of old fridges which lays its 'safety first' message on with a spade
Thud and Blunder in Knock off TimeThud and Blunder in Knock off Time
Animation & Artists Moving Image19642 mins
Miners' safety training - marked by stylish animation and gallows humour.
MatchesMatches
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Home safety is child's play if you have the feline guardian angel of the 70s on hand
Filling the GapFilling the Gap
Animation & Artists Moving Image19425 mins
No time to veg out – there's a war on. Get your vegetables out!
In the KitchenIn the Kitchen
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
If you can't stand the heat, Charley, get out of the kitchen and spread your message
Trouble in ToytownTrouble in Toytown
Animation & Artists Moving Image194614 mins Location: Poole
An immensely charming toy story in which a distracted pupil becomes an attentive teacher and explains road safety to dolls
Willie Does His StuffWillie Does His Stuff
Advert19484 mins
White elephant Willie becomes a volunteer collector for the National Savings scheme in this Technicolor animation
Frank Muir Falls into a Kitchen ThinkFrank Muir Falls into a Kitchen Think
Animation & Artists Moving Image197410 mins
Would you like some Muir? Expect many similar puns in this light-hearted but fact-filled cartoon on kitchen planning
Tim Marches BackTim Marches Back
Animation & Artists Moving Image19442 mins
A Peter Strausfeld animation, encouraging the public to use the telephone more sparingly in wartime.
Tufty - Playing Near the RoadTufty - Playing Near the Road
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 minsSilent
Tufty and friends - a road safety classic remastered!
TeapotTeapot
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Charley's cat-astrophic teatime hijinks leave him with a burning message to share
Super Natural GasSuper Natural Gas
Animation & Artists Moving Image197510 mins
Kenneth Williams as the voice of methane? It’s a gas! This British Gas sponsored short is the origin of cult kids TV classic Willo the Wisp
The RefereeThe Referee
Animation & Artists Moving Image19764 mins
Wrestling as a metaphor for race relations in this short aimed at Britain's South-Asian community
Dusty No. 6 : Dusty Says Keep Britain TidyDusty No. 6 : Dusty Says Keep Britain Tidy
Animation & Artists Moving Image19780 mins
Dusty the kangaroo catches a shadowy figure in the act of dumping an old mattress in this campaigning cartoon
Dusty No. 12: Dusty Says Keep Britain TidyDusty No. 12: Dusty Says Keep Britain Tidy
Animation & Artists Moving Image19780 mins
Dusty the kangaroo patrols a train in this campaigning cartoon - until she comes upon a litter strewn carriage...
Dusty No. 16 : Dusty Says Keep Britain TidyDusty No. 16 : Dusty Says Keep Britain Tidy
Animation & Artists Moving Image19780 mins
Nothing beats a relaxing picnic on the beach – but beware Dusty the kangaroo
The History of GreaseThe History of Grease
Animation & Artists Moving Image19826 mins
Grease is the word in this comic sponsored short for lubricant products that is literally filled with monkey business
Falling in the WaterFalling in the Water
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Kids don't always listen to their parents. But in the 70s they certainly listened to a giant ginger tabby cat...
Cold ComfortCold Comfort
Animation & Artists Moving Image19441 mins
A dancing radio stops partying to transmit an announcement on fuel conservation in this WWII cartoon short
The Great GordinoThe Great Gordino
Animation & Artists Moving Image197815 mins
Fans of Mr Benn will recognise the style of this effective and moving campaign film for Save the Children
Willie Comes to LifeWillie Comes to Life
Animation & Artists Moving Image19483 mins
See how Willie the white elephant is brought to life in an animation studio for a National Savings ad
Branches of LifeBranches of Life
Animation & Artists Moving Image20164 mins
A woman under sedation for a lung operation sinks inside her own unconscious. Music video for Andreya Triana commissioned for the Body of Songs project.