John Halas Movies

Joy Batchelor directed, produced, wrote and designed this short film for Brook Bond Tea: two girls compete for the affections of a Teddy Bear.

First Line of Defence is a short cartoon recruitment film for the RAF created in 1949 by animation duo Halas and Batchelor. The story follows a...

Set to Gilbert and Sullivan tunes, a musical cartoon attempts to describe the character of the British nation, with occasional interruptions by...

The film is designed to encourage recycling - which was a key part of the war effort.

An animated film about the history and use of hot water.

An animated short based on the cartoons of Gerard Hoffnung.

If you haven’t already been diverted by the history of John Gilpin, or would like to venture that way again, you couldn’t find a better...

An animated cartoon on smoking and health. The villain, Old Nick O'Teen, disguises himself as an 18-year-old motorcyclist, the better to lure...

Cartoon tennis match, with players based on Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

An illustrated version of Twa Corbies made as the BFI’s contribution to the Festival of Britain. Enlivened by the distinctive voice of John...

A powerfully graphic piece of animation that best expresses John Halas' own feelings about mans universal quest for freedom.

Cartoon proof that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this 1940s cinema advert, the tardiness of Signalman Squirrel's breakfast...

Cartoon on the fly nuisance, showing the dangers of food contamination and how the dangers can be minimised by food-protection and cleanliness that...

The cartoon is one of the Marshall Plan's most popular films. A clash between a shoemaker and a hat maker illustrates the contrasts between...

No man is an island, but Charley represents his nation in this economical cartoon tale of Britain’s economics.

Examines in detail Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s painting, 'Netherlandish Proverbs', which illustrates over 100 proverbs and allegorises a whole...

This World War II propaganda short encourages British people to "dig for victory," by planting vegetable gardens.

Cartoon of chicken's adventures while being chased by woodland animal.