This film is part of Free
The Strange Case of Penny Allison
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Overview
Is this where Hugh Laurie, pre-House, acquired the taste for playing medics? Laurie co-stars with Imelda Staunton in this well-made training film for the National Blood Service. Both play multiple parts in a comedy-of-errors ensuring staff get the deadly serious message while feeling entertained rather than merely instructed.
Director Paul Katis is one of the fine filmmaking talents, too often unsung, whose skills have enriched Britain's corporate film sector (itself much undervalued). In 2014, Katis made the transition into feature film, directing the gripping, highly regarded war film Kajaki: The True Story (also available on BFI Player). Acclaiming it as an impressive debut, not many reviewers realised it had benefited from Katis' long experience making excellent training films, many for the armed forces or on health and safety topics.
Related
Your Very Good Health Your Very Good Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 9 mins
Long before the ‘Charley Says’ campaign of the 1970s and ‘80s, another cartoon Charley was used to demystify the newly created NHS.
The Dentist The Dentist
1993 15 mins
This 1993 profile of local dentist, Brian Harvey, shows how he splits his time between a local practice and an advisory role - while leaving ample time to socialise at the local rotary club.
Life in Her Hands Life in Her Hands
Instructional 1951 55 mins
Kathleen Byron - of Black Narcissus fame - stars in one of the most ambitious recruitment films ever made.
Natural Born Smoker Natural Born Smoker
Public Information Filler 1985 1 mins
A sense of 1980s stylistic sheen filters through this sci-fi-tinged anti-smoking advert.
Polio - Diagnosis and Management Polio - Diagnosis and Management
Government sponsored film 1948 59 mins
Britain’s first Polio epidemic in 1947 demanded a coordinated response, and this film was a key part of readying postwar doctors for a new fight
New Way of Caring New Way of Caring
Documentary 1973 21 mins
An in-house training film designed to explain the NHS' 1973 reorganisation to its staff.
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.