BFI

In this public information film, made for the Ministry of Fuel and directed by John Waterhouse, a gloomy message of continued postwar austerity is conveyed with cheerful exuberance by Richard Massingham, the sole performer in the film.

Employing striking cartoon-like imagery (such as an exaggeratedly forgetful man clambering into a hot bath fully dressed) and good old-fashioned slapstick (a hand appears from nowhere to hit him over the head with a hammer), the message of enforced economy is effectively and amusingly conveyed with a refreshing lack of sanctimony.

Massingham's surreal, literal humour suffuses this short film, which is crammed with far more unusual visual jokes and incident than you could ask for or would expect given its rather dry subject matter. Because of this, the film remains entertaining today in its own right, rather than being of interest purely as a historic curiosity.

Vic Pratt

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