This film is part of Free
The Man Who Stayed to Dinner (Rinso Advert)
Explorers, 'cannibals' and minstrels sell soap powder.
Overview
An argument between a 'cannibal' and his wife over the use of a cooking pot provides a narrative to promote the virtues of Rinso soap powder. The demeaning use of black actors and the African setting were intended to underline the 'civilising' benefits of a transition from boil-washing to pre-soaking in Rinso.
Racist notions of the undesirability and 'impurity' of black skin had been used to market cleaning products to white buyers since the early 19th century. Brands including Pears, Sunlight, Vinolia and Fairy commonly featured black children and adults being 'washed white'. An early silent short from 1896 titled A Hard Wash shows a black mother engaged in the same exercise with her child. As part of its mass-marketing strategy, The Man who stayed to Dinner conflates the language and behaviours of blackface minstrelsy with British colonial stereotypes of African people. A closer listen reveals the British accent of the 'cannibal's wife'.
Related
Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901) Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Pendlebury
A black miner makes an intriguing addition to an already captivating film of coal workers up from their pit.
Mr Smith Wakes Up Mr Smith Wakes Up
Public Information Filler 1937 23 mins
A patient African dinner guest learns much about the state of 1930s Britain in this revealing film.
From Trinidad to Serve the Empire From Trinidad to Serve the Empire
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: London
Colonial recruits from Trinidad meet the Lord Mayor of London during WWI
England Beats West Indies in the Final Test England Beats West Indies in the Final Test
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent
The first West Indies Test cricket team visits England and loses all three matches.
Jack Johnson Paying a Visit to Manchester Docks Jack Johnson Paying a Visit to Manchester Docks
Non-Fiction 2 mins Silent Location: Salford
The legendary world heavyweight boxing champion, John Arthur 'Jack' Johnson, visits Manchester.
Trafalgar Day in Liverpool (1901) Trafalgar Day in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Huge crowds turn out in Edwardian Liverpool for the annual celebrations marking the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.