Service (1954)

Record options

  • Release Date: 1st January 1954
  • Asset ID: 801346
  • Synopsis: A seven minute Technicolour cartoon showing the benefits to both the public and the garage owners of efficient garage service. Contains title references to both AIOC and BP, so most likely made in 1954.
  • Shotlist: 00:00:32 START. A colour animation directed by Allan Crick and Bob Privett for The Anglo-Iranian Oil Co., ‘Service; A Film Showing The Advantages Of Good Garage Service Both To The Garage And To The Public.’ A Halas and Batchelor Cartoon (made sometime between 1947-1958). Opens on establishing shot of cars driving along roads, then closing in on a petrol station; the shot pulls back to reveal this is the view from the window of a poorly kept garage opposite, the owner perplexed as to why his garage is not receiving business. He then gets on a bicycle and cycles off. 00:02:23 The proprietor returns on the back of a truck loaded with boxes and equipment, the figure takes apart his old garage and replaces it with cleaner, comparatively more modern equipment. He has a customer, however he is still portrayed as an incompetent worker, spilling oil, forgetting to put the fuel cap back on a customer’s car, etc. 00:05:20 The new garage is in disarray with litter and grime covering the floor and pumps; once more, cars pass by the garage without wanting to stop by whilst the visibly cleaner garage across the street continues to get frequent business. Whilst the proprietor sits idle, the two anthropomorphised petrol pumps use their hose-arms to sweep away the mess, prompting the owner to run out with cleaning products and maintain the garage. Once the garage is clean, business returns, and the proprietor is shown to work quickly and diligently, this time keeping his garage clean and well ordered. As he continues his good work and business returns, his overalls and the petrol pumps become emblazoned with the BP shield logo. 00:08:08 ENDS.
  • Production Company: None
  • Licensing Restrictions: None
  • Viewing Restrictions: Public
  • Format: BetaSP_Small
  • Alternative Language Notes: None