This film is part of Free
U.S. And Us
An American G.I. learns how to brew a proper English cuppa in this jolly wartime ad for Maypole tea.
Overview
An American GI enjoys the best of English hospitality in this jolly wartime tea advert. After a "swell" meal and a round of whist, our Yankee friend learns the secret of good tea making: one teaspoon per person and one for the pot. But with food rationing in full swing, the old adage is sorely stretched. The solution? Use Maypole Tea, "a brand which is so economical, you can drink tea all day long, and still have enough for an early morning cup".
The film was made a year after the first GIs were deployed in Britain, and draws on that popularly imagined 'special relationship' between Brits and Yanks. Our visitor's gleeful assertion that "you can drink tea all day long" may, however, have been optimistic. The tea ration enforced in Britain between 1940 and 1952 allowed just 2 oz per person - enough for around 2 or, at a push, 3 cups of weakish tea each day.
Related
Activities Pictured at Littleover First Aid Post Activities Pictured at Littleover First Aid Post
Amateur film 1939 16 mins Silent Location: Littleover
An air raid could come at any moment and Derby had to be ready to deal with the casualties. The people of Littleover were so well prepapred they filmed one of their exercises.
Kingsbury: ARP in Sandiacre Kingsbury: ARP in Sandiacre
Home movie 1940 9 mins Silent Location: Sandiacre
From their sandbagged headquarters, the Sandiacre ARP and Red Cross await their call to action.
London Can Take It! London Can Take It!
Documentary 1940 9 mins Location: London
Humphrey Jennings and Harry Wattβs famous GPO film is an enduring example of British self-mythology; a hymn to Londonβs resilience that helped persuade America to join the war.
Keep Them Safe, Keep Them Happy Keep Them Safe, Keep Them Happy
Charity appeal 1939 2 mins Silent Location: Norwich
Sweet and touching wartime cinema appeal for 300,000 London children spending Christmas far from home.
Bombed Out Bombed Out
Amateur film 1945 9 mins Silent Location: Southwark
Step into the aftermath of a WWII bombing raid in south London in this startling amateur film.
How to Fit a Gas Mask How to Fit a Gas Mask
Public Information Filler 1939 2 mins
Matter-of-fact wartime instruction in how to fit your gas mask efficiently - leaving no margin for error.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.