Clip of the Week - 'The History of Cinema', 1956

This charming 1956 Halas & Batchelor film tracks the history of cinema via 19th century Paris, with Lumière demonstrating the first moving picture.
Films may come and go, but the groundbreaking animations of Halas & Batchelor hold a timeless wit and magic. See more from this collection, proudly represented by Bridgeman Footage: goo.gl/Xqv4jQ

[@SonofFrenzi]

Thanks for posting this - it was great to finally see it with colour and sound. I still have my slightly abridged Mountain Films version of this - black and white and mute - although the film did come with a blank soundtrack down the side. Bought for me in Christmas 1974 along with Foo-Foo in Automation Blues.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

SonofFrenzi In the US, some of Halas & Batchelor's work was released to schools through Phoenix Films on 16mm. I have a print of "Hamilton the Musical Elephant" that was released through them.

[@sebastianb.1926]

3:02 - the truth. In the 50s that part would've been undoubtedly censored in an American cartoon for being "communist propaganda". Not so in the UK. Amazing cartoon. Amazing historical artefact.

[@oscarstrokosz2986]

Was pleasantly surprised seeing this bit in the cinema

[@fredrogers4717]

Am I the only one who’s noticed how off the syncing is?

[@gregorybaginski1994]

I noticed the same thing too.

[@straycatsean]

7:08 "Dramarama" wait wat