This film is part of Free
Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive
Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party
Overview
47 seconds of pure comedy genius, this recently rediscovered Morecambe and Wise public information film, one of the earliest drink-drive campaign films, hasn’t be seen by the public for over 50 years. The original 35mm film was found in a box of 1960s cigarette advertisements recovered from Ulster Television, who were in the process of moving to new premises in Belfast.
The rediscovered material was returned to the BFI National Archive via Kaleidoscope, the classic TV archive based in Birmingham, and is preserved as part of the Central Office of Information (COI) collection in partnership with The National Archives.
Two decades later Ernie Wise made another appearance in a public information film for the National Blood Service, starring alongside Morecambe and Wise regular, Glenda Jackson. Blood Donor: Glenda and Ernie (1981) is also available on BFI Player as part of the NHS on Film collection.
Related
The Perfect Woman The Perfect Woman
Comedy 1949 87 mins
In a bid to improve on nature, a scientist creates a robot female. But the experiment doesn't quite turn out as planned...
Tilly and the Fire Engines Tilly and the Fire Engines
Comedy 1911 2 mins Silent
Mischievous sisters Tilly and Sally borrow a fire engine and take it for a joy ride in this spirited film comedy.
Something Completely Different Something Completely Different
1974 4 mins Silent Location: Doune
Join John Cleese and the cast of Monty Python and the Holy Grail on location in Scotland
Miranda Miranda
Comedy 1948 80 mins
A man goes fishing and comes home with a most unusual catch in this comedy feature.
Le Petomane Le Petomane
Comedy 1979 33 mins
The immortal Leonard Rossiter makes flatulence a fine art in this short, poignant comedy-drama from Hancock writers Galton and Simpson
Arthur? Arthur! Arthur? Arthur!
Comedy 1969 101 mins Location: Camden
A hen-pecked inventor plots murder while he leads a bizarre double life as a bewigged playboy who runs a dating agency
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.