The work of the GPO film unit

'We Live in Two Worlds' (1937) : a tale of two cities

'We Live in Two Worlds' was a 13 minute film produced by The GPO film unit in 1937. The movie provided an introduction to the world and role of telecommunications in the modern era, and was taken around the country to be shown at GPO exhibitions, film societies and possibly as a warm up film to a main feature in cinemas.

The film was introduced and presented by the famous writer, J.B. Priestly, who took the viewers for a journey through the world in which they lived. It started with a look at the life that existed: divisions between countries, fights over territory and barriers between nations, but continued with a glimpse of the world that was emerging.

As communications forged boundaries and linked continents, it offered a chance for nations to communicate and understand each other better. This was the start of the 'Global Village'.

'Under the City' (1934) : digging up the future

This 8½ minute film revealed what went on under the feet of the people walking around the capital city, in 1934.

It starts with the camera descending a manhole to discover the underground networks that made up the arteries of London. The film continues through lengths of tunnels showing men laying cables and others 'jointing' them. It travels through the sewers, alongside pneumatic pipes, up escalators, down channels, into the tube trains, gas and water systems, laying bare the hidden universe under the pavement.

Towards the end, the film focuses on telecommunications and how the GPO was involved in this subterranean world, making sure its services were easily absorbed into daily life both above and below ground.

9 for 6 : can we have our ball back?

A silent film made to promote the affordability of the telegram service. The story tells the tale of a football match due to be held in a village between the local boys' team and that of the nearby village, Bromford.

Sadly our heroes manage to lose their ball and it looks like the game is off. But the friendly postman suggests they telegraph the nearby team to bring their own ball.

The postmistress helps them write a concise enough message to keep the essentials message within nine words so that they can afford the sixpenny fee.

All ends well, the boys get the fee together, the message is sent and the neighbouring team arrive with the ball.

Heavenly GPO : ... angelic messengers

This delightful film, made by the GPO film unit in 1938 demonstrated the different types of telegram that could be sent. This clip, of course, brings a message of congratulations for a new baby.

Midsummer Day's Work : laying cable the old fashioned way

An early information film that ran for half an hour. A gentle informative description of how a cable was laid from Amersham to Aylesbury describing, in detail, the processes carried out by the teams of workmen, the designer, the foreman and, along the way, admiring the view.

Pett and Pott : a fairy story of the suburbs

A dramatic tale, made in 1934 by the GPO Film Unit, of how important it is to have a telephone. Mr and Mrs Pett and Mr and Mrs Pott live next-door to each other.

Mrs Pett dutifully agrees with her husband that it's a good idea to have the telephone. She makes great use of it and it helps her to be an accomplished and efficient housewife - she can order her shopping by telephone.

Mrs Pott would rather spend the money on a maid. However the maid turns out to be somewhat unreliable and helps her boyfriend commit a robbery in the Pott's home.

Fortunately, Mr and Mrs Pett's daughter hears the commotion from next-door and calls the police using their new telephone and the boys in blue save the day.