John Halas Movies

Everyone knows that petroleum comes out of the earth, but the question is how did it get there, and what is it made of? The answer to these questions...

This cartoon propaganda short by Halas & Batchelor sweetens the pill of post-war coal prices by promising jam tomorrow.

A BAFTA award nominated film made for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company charting the history of aviation from Daedalus to jets.

Popular animated character Charley explains the National Insurance Act, which was legislation that made health insurance available to all British...

A particularly vicious Father Time with a hit-list in his Book of Doom seeks to wipe out characters brought to life from fabric patterns. This neat...

A dancing radio stops partying to transmit an announcement on fuel conservation in this WWII cartoon short.

Hello darkness my old friend. The four-part “experiment in word, music and paintings” that was made by the BFI for the 1951 Festival of...

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

Hamilton the elephant is being trained for the circus when he discovers his amazing musical ability; the ringmaster decides to exploit his new-found...

A trip into a surreal winter garden, a voyage on a stormy sea, a grisly homecoming – there is something for everyone in this “experiment...

A short animated War Office commissioned health education film, showing the fate of each of the 6 jungle soldiers.

A poem of unrequited love: the studio's first puppet production. Based on a poem by Cosbie Garstin, the film tells the story of a carved wooden saint...

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...

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

Animated short from Halas and Batchelor encouraging the British public to post early for Christmas.

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

An updated version of Halas and Batchelor's short film, 'The Magic Canvas', with a new electronic score.

The Maestro brings a world of emotions to life interpreted by the orchestra and the animation.

Puck is introduced to the twentieth century and is as amused by the contemporary obsession with television as he was by the lovers' antics.

Married to your television? This cartoon gives you an opportunity to re-evaluate your relationship with the gogglebox.