1940s

Musical Poster No. 1

‘Musical posters’ were short wartime propaganda films commissioned by Britain’s Ministry of Information. Despite the serious message, and the grim historical moment in which it was made, Len Lye’s Musical Poster No. 1 is typically bright and full of fun.

Collection reference F5430
Year 1940

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Newspaper Train

One of several government-sponsored films Len Lye made during World War Two, Newspaper Train is more understated and conventional than his typical work. It depicts the lengths workers went to during the Blitz to distribute papers from the capital to the rest of Britain, and stresses the importance of ‘honest news’ in wartime.

Collection reference F50099
Year 1942

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Work Party

Work Party is a short slice-of-life documentary about the women of the Herrick family, who work in a wartime munitions factory while keeping their home running smoothly. It ends with an appeal to female viewers to do the same: 'These are the women, typical of thousands, who make munitions and keep their family life going at the same time. And the munitions industry needs more women now.'

Collection reference F100386
Year 1942

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