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Desperate Case, A (1958)
 

British Film Institute

Main image of Desperate Case, A (1958)
 
DirectorKenneth Fairbairn
Production CompanyBritish Transport Films

A suitcase, about to be sent home 'luggage in advance' from the seaside, explains that, having been overfilled and ambiguously labelled, he is sure to be delayed.

Show full synopsis

A humorous drama designed to tackle an increasing problem that British Railways was suffering, that of stray luggage. The 1950s was the golden era of postwar British seaside holidays and, with most folk still without a car, the railway was the prime choice of transportation to the sea. To reduce congestion on trains, British Railways designed a 'luggage in advance' scheme, whereby you could send your luggage to your destination hotel prior to travel and it would be there waiting for you when you arrived. The downside of this scheme was that people liked to keep the labels on their cases as souvenirs of previous holidays. Result - lost luggage!

Steven R Foxon

*This film is included in the BFI British Transport Films DVD compilation 'The Art of Travel'. It can also be viewed via the BFI's YouTube channel.

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Video Clips
Complete film (10:05)
GALLERY / SCRIPTS / AUDIO
SEE ALSO
British Transport Films