This film is part of Free
Job for Johnny
Making plans for Johnny, who has a future in British steel - or so says this fascinating recruitment film.
Overview
Making plans for Johnny... "All he's interested in is motor bikes," but our hero has a future in British steel. This interesting recruitment film takes the form of a drama shot on location in steel town Scunthorpe, using non-actors to play teenaged apprentice Johnny and his family, friends and workmates. It was made for the trade body the British Iron and Steel Federation, which commissioned some 50 films.
Producers Greenpark Productions specialised in sponsored films with a veneer of fey artiness: note the snatches of stylised lighting and dramatic compositions, serving no narrative purpose. The result is disjointed, with atmospheric images but banal, unconvincing dialogue and a 'stage northern' narrator. But as a document of postwar change, it's fascinating. Johnny equals a brand new demographic: the teenager. Although it's hardly Rebel Without a Cause, the script touches on Johnny's inner conflicts as he ponders his future and the conflicting views of elders and peers. Then in the key scene he meets a works careers adviser, effectively addressing the young men in the film's target audience. Johnny's future is as good as sealed...
Related
Pattern for Progress Pattern for Progress
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 42 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The drama and spectacle of steelmaking at Ebbw Vale.
Steel Windows Steel Windows
Documentary 1970 7 mins
A window on to a futuristic vision of concrete, glass and steel.
Project Spear Project Spear
Industry sponsored film 1964 31 mins
At Rotherham a revolution in steelmaking has human consequences.
Consett Steel Consett Steel
Industry sponsored film 1967 26 mins Location: Consett
Sparks fly in an industrial film that captures the exciting visual drama of steel production in Consett.
The First Four Years The First Four Years
Industry sponsored film 1951 42 mins Silent
An industrial epic plays out in steelmaking South Wales.
End of a Line End of a Line
1975 13 mins Silent Location: Swindon
After a glorious history, Baldwin's iron and steelworks in Swindon, Staffordshire, faces closure.
Scunthorpe International Folk Festival Scunthorpe International Folk Festival
Non-Fiction 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Scunthorpe
It’s the year of famous music festivals, and Scunthorpe has a rare opportunity to see some colourful national dress, dancing and folk music.
Prince George's Visit to Scunthorpe - Oct. 26th, 1933 Prince George's Visit to Scunthorpe - Oct. 26th, 1933
Non-Fiction 1933 9 mins Silent Location: Scunthorpe
Royalty comes to Scunthorpe - and the Jubilee Cinema produces its very own film to mark the great occasion.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.