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Pioneers of Screen Advertising
Almost from the dawn of film, advertising was a part of the filmgoing experience. This collection showcases some of screen advertising's earliest steps, as companies learnt to mimic the evolving forms of film comedy, drama, documentary and animation with the careful addition of their product as co-star.
The Spirit of His ForefathersThe Spirit of His Forefathers
Advert19001 minsSilent
One of the earliest surviving British adverts
Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best BicycleRudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle
Advert19021 minsSilent
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.
Vinolia SoapVinolia Soap
Advert18981 minsSilent
One of the earliest films showing off a brand: three women pack Vinolia soap into boxes
Changing HuesChanging Hues
Advert19225 minsSilent
Pretty in Pink 1920s style: an innovatively hand-coloured cinema advert for Twink dye.
Trojan Car AdvertTrojan Car Advert
Advert192610 minsSilent Location: York
There's no need to renew your socks with the Trojan Utility Car - you simply can't afford not to have one!
Mr.........Goes MotoringMr.........Goes Motoring
Advert19253 minsSilent
Deceptively simple early animated ad for Shell petrol
Cinema Commercial - Candy CushionsCinema Commercial - Candy Cushions
Advert19202 minsSilent
Cinema snacks that don’t leave you with sweet nothing when the box is empty.
The Tale of the Amp LionThe Tale of the Amp Lion
Advert19252 minsSilent
Silent cartoon advert that is an actual Heath Robinson contraption.
The Boy Who Wanted to Make PicturesThe Boy Who Wanted to Make Pictures
Advert19244 minsSilent
Kodak pocket cameras provide the perfect substitute for a budding portrait artist in this early advert based on the drawings of Harold Bateman.
Bradford Adverts Reel 3Bradford Adverts Reel 3
Advert4 minsSilent Location: Bradford
No wearisome overblown advertising for cinema-goers back in 1931, just straightforward advice: don’t risk accidents and “Don’t buy a dud!”
Bradford Adverts Reel 1Bradford Adverts Reel 1
Advert19253 minsSilent Location: Bradford
Juno-Junipah, for girls, who “want to be bright, vivacious, attractive and slim”, and Carters Little Liver Pills to rejuvenate the elderly.
Bradford Adverts Reel 2Bradford Adverts Reel 2
Advert1 minsSilent Location: Bradford
Without trying to be too clever, these advertisements demonstrate the virtue of the uncomplicated: short, sweet and memorable.
Looking AheadLooking Ahead
Advert19302 minsSilent
Behold the future! Where meals are consumed in pill form, and hankies are washed on television
Does Your Wife Know?Does Your Wife Know?
Documentary19304 minsSilent Location: Kingston Upon Thames
A vicar gets railroaded on the cheap in this silent cinema ad for Southern Railways.
Ransomes Trolley BusesRansomes Trolley Buses
Promotional19296 minsSilent Location: Maidstone
A study of single and double decker trolley buses, constructed by Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies of Ipswich.
Barbara's SecretBarbara's Secret
Advert192311 minsSilent Location: Devon
Lifebuoy Soap holds the key to love and happiness in a coastal Devon village
Transporting Loads - With or without RoadsTransporting Loads - With or without Roads
Advert19205 minsSilent
Global ambitions for the Thornycroft six-wheeled motor vehicle.
The EconomistThe Economist
Advert192113 minsSilent
Silent comedian Walter Forde takes an illuminating trip around the Osram light bulb factory in this bizarre advertising film.