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Fundraising and Charity
Beginning with caring for the returning wounded from the First World War and ending at a special school for disabled children in the early 1990s, these films exemplify how the charitable response to disability was the predominant one for many disabled people.
The great and the good, notably Royals and film stars, are marshalled to capture the audience’s attention and solicit donations to help good causes. Two things are less prominent, though - the voices of those disabled people who (with some revealing exceptions), are cast as passive and grateful receivers of charity; and the idea that disabled people can live an independent and useful life as citizens outside of institutions.
Graham Findlay (disability equality consultant)
Please note: titles in this collection may contain language or other content that reflect views prevalent in their time but that may cause offence today. They are included here for historical reasons and are in no way endorsed by the BFI or its partners.
Zero HourZero Hour
Charity appeal 1928 8 minsSilent
"In the kingdom of the blind, the St Dunstan's man is king": how blinded WWI soldiers set up their own businesses.
Disabled FundraiserDisabled Fundraiser
News 1974 4 mins Location: Tamworth
Disabled ex-miner Derek Sewell lets his chair do the talking in his quest to help people with mobility issues.
Lest We ForgetLest We Forget
Charity appeal 1937 8 minsSilent Location: Andover
Charles Laughton stars in this appeal film for Enham Village Centre, where WWI servicemen with disabilities are cared for.
Lanlivery Special SchoolLanlivery Special School
Current affairs 1976 2 minsSilent Location: Lanlivery
Special School receives a special visit.
East End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping ForestEast End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping Forest
Non-Fiction 1911 2 minsSilent Location: Epping Forest
Disabled East End ‘ragged’ children go on a trip to the country - but not everyone seems happy
It's Like Getting WingsIt's Like Getting Wings
Promotional 1970 13 mins
Thanks to the Winged Fellowship Trust disabled guests at Crabhill House enjoy a fortnight’s holiday that can make a real difference
Another World by Sean ConneryAnother World by Sean Connery
Charity appeal 1962 4 mins
In the same year as James Bond made him famous, Sean Connery puts in an awkward plea to help blind people live an independent life.
Chance EncounterChance Encounter
Campaigning film 1978 17 mins
A brief encounter between film director David Lean and Leonard Cheshire, who speaks about his work in India for disabled people
A Lead in the Right DirectionA Lead in the Right Direction
Charity appeal 1965 5 mins Location: Southport
A charity appeal film promoting guide dogs comparing the daily lives of blind people with and without them.
Behind the Scenes at the Boys' and Girls' Refuges (Estd. 1870)Behind the Scenes at the Boys' and Girls' Refuges (Estd. 1870)
Charity appeal 1937 4 minsSilent Location: Old Colwyn
A look at an organisation providing care and support to children in need in the interwar years.
BirthdayBirthday
Children's 1954 10 mins
Four children spend the day roaming London and looking for birthday presents for their younger brother, who has polio.
Shuttered WindowsShuttered Windows
Charity appeal 1934 8 mins Location: Southport
Windows of opportunity: how a charity aimed to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.
Not Forgotten - Homes for Disabled MenNot Forgotten - Homes for Disabled Men
Non-Fiction 1928 1 minsSilent Location: Richmond
Countess Haig, beaming, opens a block of flats for disabled ex-service employees at the Poppy Factory in Richmond.
The Disabled and WorkThe Disabled and Work
Documentary 1981 32 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A film which shows the desire and dedication of those with disability to become integrated into the world of work.
Duke of Gloucester opens new unit for mentally ill in PeterboroughDuke of Gloucester opens new unit for mentally ill in Peterborough
News 1977 3 mins Location: Peterborough
Peterborough's new live-in facility for learning-disabled patients offers woodwork and pottery as therapy.
Frank visits a School for Disabled ChildrenFrank visits a School for Disabled Children
Amateur film 1990 4 minsSilent Location: Cheadle
Timperley's most famous resident, and his sidekick, are school visitors with a difference.
Day Out and FeteDay Out and Fete
Amateur film 1964 10 minsSilent Location: Rivoulich
Assorted entertainments in Lancashire - a brass band, Scottish reels, and a chance to meet the great Stan Ogden.
Broken in the WarsBroken in the Wars
Public Information Filler 1918 8 minsSilent
Film pioneer Cecil Hepworth raises awareness of a royal fund to support servicemen wounded in WWI
They Gave So MuchThey Gave So Much
Promotional 1957 17 mins Location: Southsea
This poignant film shows how the BLESMA charity provides comfort, care and rehabilitation for limbless ex-servicemen at their Southsea home
Give The Girls a LiftGive The Girls a Lift
Amateur film 1946 13 mins Location: Winchmore Hill
Try your luck on the Tombola and help raise money to buy a lift for Halliwick School's disabled girls
Holding HandsHolding Hands
Documentary 1966 20 mins Location: Marlow
Red Cross and Respite – disabled children and Red Cross cadets help each other at a day centre in the 1960s.
Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser in PlymouthMuscular Dystrophy Fundraiser in Plymouth
Current affairs 1978 3 mins Location: Leigham
A local fundraising group supports neighbours with disabled sons.
Activities at the Sir Robert Jones Memorial Workshop for Cripples - LiverpoolActivities at the Sir Robert Jones Memorial Workshop for Cripples - Liverpool
Charity appeal 1936 26 minsSilent Location: Liverpool
Bookbinding and a bagatelle: training for disabled people in the interwar years.
Susan Goes to SomptingSusan Goes to Sompting
1961 13 mins Location: Folkestone
Veteran tennis commentator Peter West takes us on a journey around a boarding school for disabled children.
Lady AllenLady Allen
Government sponsored film 1971 14 mins Location: Chelsea
Engrossing 1970s TV profile of Lady Allen of Hurtwood - passionate campaigner for every child's right to play
Forward from ForfarForward from Forfar
Charity appeal 1965 15 mins Location: Forfar
The Great and the Good meet the Guide Dogs.
Leicester Guild of the Crippled: Some Events of 1930Leicester Guild of the Crippled: Some Events of 1930
Amateur film 1930 14 minsSilent Location: Welby Grange
Caring for disabled people 1930s style: The Leicester Guild of the Crippled take to the road with spinal carriages and bath chairs.
Maybe TodayMaybe Today
Documentary 1973 12 mins Location: Liss
Life at Le Court Cheshire Home, near Petersfield, Hants
Cry of the Crippled ChildrenCry of the Crippled Children
Charity appeal 1921 12 minsSilent
Johnny Be Good... a silent docudrama about curing disabled children, set in 1920s London
Stars Organisation for SpasticsStars Organisation for Spastics
News 1974 6 mins Location: Wakes Colne
Screen favourites Michele Dotrice, Sylvia Syms, and Gerald Flood speak to Anglia TV about the charity 'Stars Organisation for Spastics'.
Victory over DarknessVictory over Darkness
Documentary 1942 5 mins
The wartime work of St Dunstan’s Home for the Blind, elegantly and effectively told.
Three DaysThree Days
Charity appeal 1948 6 minsSilent
Captain Scott goes snowblind: actor John Mills relates his experience of temporary blindness while making Scott of the Antarctic