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
Rowntrees Polo Mint: Romeo
“Tis but thy name that is my enemy” is hardly an idea that lends itself to such a strong branded product, but it enlightens the otherwise humdrum.
From the collection of:
Overview
It might seem a rather tenuous connection, Shakespeare and Polo mints, but in among the dozens of soundbites taken from the ordinary man and woman on the street, one at least has managed it. Somewhat ironically, though perhaps not untypically, it takes the one non-native interviewee to make it; although it may not be surprising that an immigrant would be more in tune with the universal theme of Romeo and Juliet.
From the introduction of the hole into Polo mints in 1955, Rowntrees began a mass advertising campaign making much of this new design – taken from the US confectionery Life Savers, which were shaped with a hole in them from 1925. The slogans ‘The mint with a hole’, and later ‘People like Polo’, carried the advertising campaign until at least 1981. The advertising giant J. Walter Thompson collected hundreds of soundbites out on the streets during the 1960s and ‘70s under the heading, “Who likes a Polo?”. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is of course Juliet’s poignant remark when the bigotry of tribal loyalties became a barrier to seeing Romeo for what he truly was, and allowing their love to flourish.
Related
Watch for free
RHM Nimble: Tennis Woman RHM Nimble: Tennis Woman
Advert 1964 0 mins
An advertisement for Rank Hovis McDougall’s Nimble bread featuring a female tennis player.
Watch for free
Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency
Advert 1957 0 mins
15 seconds isn't long, you've got to say Crosse and you've got to say Blackwell, and you've got to say Branston Pickle!
Watch for free
Lyons Maid Lolly Gobble Choc Bomb Lyons Maid Lolly Gobble Choc Bomb
Advert 1974 0 mins
Animated advert for the much loved strawberry ice lolly, with chocolate and sugar balls and a chocolate bar inside!
Watch for free
Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market
Advert 1972 1 mins
In 1972 Britain entered the European common market full of beans. What could go wrong?
Watch for free
Shippam's Real Chicken Shippam's Real Chicken
Advert 1955 0 mins Silent
This short advert tells you that only real chickens can apply to be Shippam's chickens
Watch for free
Cadbury's Chocolate The Factory in a Garden Cadbury's Chocolate The Factory in a Garden
Advert 1931 3 mins Silent
A mouth-watering glimpse of the art and craft that went into making and decorating Cadbury’s chocolates in the 1930s.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.