Reel 1. A Strand Films presentation. An Anglo-American Film Corporation Ltd production. The Brains Trust answer questions spontaneously on camera.
Introductory intertitle reads: “Spontaneous answers to questions you have sent in. Something new and vital in broadcasting – and now something new in the cinema. A film made at one sitting, without rehearsals, without script, without preparation, without the Brains Trust knowing beforehand what questions were coming.”
Produced and Directed by Donald Taylor and Howard Thomas. Photography: Hal Young, Moray Grant, Jo Jago, Charles Marlborough. Art Director: Wilfrid Arnold. Edited by: Alan Osbiston. Recorded by: Harold King, Len Shilton. Assistants: Peter Price, Reita Hendry. Made in Association with Ortus Films. Consultants: John Sutro and Ivor Halstead.
Shot of BBC Broadcasting House. Family sitting in front of a radio in their living room. Film studio with panel seated as if on a quiz show. Question Master: McCullough introduces the panel throwing in a few jokes. C/U Miss Jennie Lee. Doctor Cyril Joad C/U. Commander Campbell C/U. Doctor Julian Huxley C/U. Colonel Walter Elliot.
Question Master suggests that this is the first film ever made without script and rehearsals. The panel answer the questions with a great deal of wit and insight.
What is the secret of a happy marriage? Answers include love, good companionship, the woman being a good housewife and kindness. Jennie Lee tells Joad off for his sexist opinions!
How do the Brains Trust feel World War Two will affect farmers? Various answers including the suggestion that farmers will have a better time post war and that the war has made people more aware of the countryside. Continued – see records b and c.
FILM ID:1643.01
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British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website. https://www.britishpathe.com/
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