This film is part of Free
Tropical Breezes
A British Steamboat Willie? This early British sound cartoon might not have been the first, but it’s a cracker
Overview
Is this the British Steamboat Willie? A comic duo are left stranded on an unusual deserted island, where lions roam and the kangaroos play “Swanee River” on their banjos. The adventures of Hite and Mite (named after a competition in the News of the World) are synchronised to the musical soundtrack in variety of ways, and the human characters are a nice change from anthropomorphic animals.
Hite and Mite were caricatures of their creators, perhaps helping explain their engaging personalities, but sadly this appears to be their sole outing. Sid Griffiths had produced the Jerry The Troublesome Tyke series for Pathe in the mid-1920s, assisted by Brian White who went on to create the popular Daily Mail comic strip “The Nipper” which ran between 1933 and 1947.
Related
Vote for Froglet Vote for Froglet
Children's 1974 7 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.
Next Next
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins
Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation
Max Beeza and the City in the Sky Max Beeza and the City in the Sky
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1977 24 mins
As sublime as it is silly, this ambitious animated short mixes a vision of a dystopian, tower block Britain with anarchic vaudeville humour
Superted Superted
Children's 1975 9 mins
Don’t tell the Spotty man but Superted has a new friend. A stop motion predecessor of the superhero teddy idea
The United Kingdom The United Kingdom
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1994 5 mins
What does it mean to be British? You might not have a much clearer idea after watching this animated portrait, but you will certainly be entertained
Animated Britain (trailer) Animated Britain (trailer)
Promotional 2018 1 mins
Discover an animated portrait of Britain, brought to life frame by painstaking frame, with our free-to-view BFI Player archive collection - available as part of Animation 2018, a year-long celebration of animation
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.