The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Crikey!
Health and safety has gone mad in this 1947 comedic guide to road safety in Bradford city centre.
From the collection of:
Overview
This amusing silent road safety film made in 1940s Bradford harkens back to the slapstick silent comedies of old, but also has a valuable educational edge. Stunt men enact a mixture of dangerous and humorous acts for the watching crowds. An equal mixture of education and entertainment is the target of this activity and film.
Road safety was seen as a significant area of concern for the British government after the end of the Second World War. During the war, there had been a sharp increase in fatalities from road accidents, due largely to the implementations of black-outs at night. By the end of the 1940s, over 1,100 road safety committees were set up throughout the country. In addition to this, the cycling proficiency scheme was introduced in 1947, the same year that Crikey! was released.
Related
Anti National Front Demonstrations Bradford Anti National Front Demonstrations Bradford
Non-Fiction 1978 8 mins Silent Location: Bradford
One of many “national” marches by the NF in the 1970s through predominantly Asian areas, with the inevitable angry anti-racist opposition.
It All Began with Velvet It All Began with Velvet
Industry sponsored film 1955 31 mins Location: Manningham
Fabrics galore burst into a Britain just recovering from war rationing, with mohair velvets, moth protected carpets and waterproofed textiles adorning London Routemasters.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
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.
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.