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Restriction on viewing / access:
FSC film prints do not circulate.
Loan Terms:
On Reserve
Status:
IN
1458

Musical Poster #1

Lye, Len

Title:
Musical Poster #1
Alternate Title:
Musical Poster Number One
Director:
Lye, Len
Production Co:
Crown Film Unit; Ministry of Information
Description:
16mm.   release print.   1 film reel of 1.
3 minutes.   24 fps
Film Grade:
A-
Country:
United Kingdom
Year:
1942
Language:
English language
Genre:
Animation, War, Experimental / Avant Garde
Notes:
Colours and abstract shapes vibrates to music illustrating the message 'Careful the Enemy is listening to You.' During World War Two, Lye made a number of films to assist the war effort. Musical Poster #1 (part of a long tradition of British ‘poster’ films) was not only screened in cinemas but taken around to factories and village halls by the Ministry of Information’s travelling film units. The film alerted the public to the risk that German sympathizers might overhear information about the war effort in everyday conversation. Lye felt strongly that not all wartime films needed to be gloomy, but some reviewers were shocked by his use of bright colours. The film did, however, receive an enthusiastic response from Variety which described it as “a fantastic but effective blending of colour and sound to draw audience interest.” [Len Lye Foundation]
Link to:
FII catalog |