This is one of Massingham’s most famous public information films (in which he often starred)

Shot by an enthusiastic amateur on 16mm film, this silent newsreel extract provides a valuable glimpse of the rapturous welcome legendary comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy received when they visited Britain in 1932. Though Hardy hailed from the States, Ulverston-born Laurel was a local lad: he went to school in Tynemouth (where this film […]

The story of an ‘undersized’ Cockney lad, John Truman, who, at a young age, joins the Post Office as a trainee messenger boy and serves a two-year probationary period.

For those who like their humour daft and thoroughly unsophisticated, this silent short will be a delight. The titular Daisy enters a face-pulling competition (‘dial’ – as in watch dial – is neglected slang for a face), but on the big day she falls victim to toothache. When her husband returns from the contest triumphant, […]