This film is part of Free

Title of error

The Economist

Silent comedian Walter Forde takes an illuminating trip around the Osram light bulb factory in this bizarre advertising film.

Advert 1921 13 mins Silent

Overview

British silent clown Walter Forde tries to strengthen his resolve after his feisty ‘modern’ girlfriend makes demands that he should economise. Staring into a lightbulb as he attempts to instil himself with renewed backbone, he accidentally hypnotises himself – becoming a strange, invisible, spectral visitor on the production line at the Osram light bulb factory. Despite Forde’s invasive mingling with the employees on the factory floor, all remain resolutely stony-faced throughout the comedian’s voyeuristic visit. Not once does anybody accidentally crack a smile.

Director

Walter Forde

Genres

Advert

Country

United Kingdom

Language

No Dialogue with English subtitles

Watch for free

Guinness - Plinths Guinness - Plinths

Advert 1976 1 mins

Pete and Dud prove to be stout football fans in this Guinness commercial recalling a great sporting moment - however fleeting.

Watch for free

Target - Geoff Hurst Target - Geoff Hurst

Advert 1968 1 mins

England's 1966 hat-trick hero doesn't sweat the small stuff - or at all, according to this deodorant commercial.

Watch for free

Sam Goes Shopping Sam Goes Shopping

Advert 1939 6 mins

Stanley Holloway recounts the exploits of Sam Small, whose wife sends him shopping for... what was it again?

Watch for free

Close-ups of the Stars Close-ups of the Stars

Advert 1946 6 mins

A triple bill of glamour courtesy of Lux toilet soap.

Watch for free

Sam's Birthday Sam's Birthday

Advert 1934 6 mins Silent

Master of the monologue Stanley Holloway salutes his wondrous and capacious new suitcase in this magical advertising film.

Watch for free

Sheila Sim Sheila Sim

Advert 1945 1 mins Silent

Star of stage and screen Sheila Sim explains why she uses Lux toilet soap.

Watch for free

Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A

Short interview 2024 24 mins

Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Watch for free

Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A

Short interview 2024 30 mins

Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.

Watch for free

Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell

Documentary 2024 42 mins

Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.

Watch for free

Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels

Short documentary 2024 12 mins

Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.