This film is part of Free

The Secret
Covert operations on the home front find solutions to shortages just next door
Overview
Culinary espionage reveals domestic secrets after a man's disappointment with his dumpling dinner initiates covert operations on a neighbour's kitchen. When his wife's surveillance is thwarted, sifting the bins supplies the mystery solution for suet-free success under rationing: grated potato! Some new ingenuity with ingredients impressively inflates the dough and seals a dining table armistice.
This film is one of a series of short patriotic stories known as Film Tags sponsored by the Ministry of Information during WWI and produced by the Hepworth Manufacturing Company. It features popular Hepworth film stars Chrissie White and Henry Edwards (who also directs). These propaganda items communicating wartime advice to civilians were included in cinema newsreels.
Related

Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero
Biopic 1918 126 mins Silent
Morale-boosting exploits intended to inspire war-weary citizens.

Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun) Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun)
Comedy 1918 25 mins Silent
Mr Butterbun presides over a tribunal dealing with cases of men presenting excuses to avoid the First World War draft.

Women's Work in Wartime Women's Work in Wartime
Documentary 1918 8 mins Silent
Who wears the trousers while the men are at war? The women of Britain, who pick up a surprisingly wide range of jobs

Battle Front in Britain Battle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 mins Silent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans β itβs all part of the war effort on the home front.

Scenes of the First World War Scenes of the First World War
Documentary 1918 5 mins Silent
Dramatic footage of Italian and British troops on the front line and airborne.

Haunted Hotel Haunted Hotel
Fantasy 1918 17 mins Silent
Guests find things that go bump in the night.

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.