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Charley's Black Magic

Cartoon propaganda short sweetens the pill of post-war coal prices by promising jam tomorrow

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1949 9 mins

Overview

With coal prices rising and harsh winters in recent memory, post-war Britain was understandably grumpy. The irascible Charley featured in a series of cartoon propaganda shorts communicating many new policies of Clement Atlee’s Labour government, which promised a brighter future ahead. Charley was always quickly turned around with the promise of jam tomorrow, but post-war austerity was still a bitter pill for many to swallow.

The seven Charley films released between 1948 and 1949 were all produced by Halas & Batchelor Cartoon Films, who would go on to make Britain’s first animated feature film, Animal Farm, in 1954.

Director

Joy Batchelor and John Halas

Featuring

Harold Berens and Jack Train

Genres

Animation & Artists Moving Image and Public Information Filler

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Subjects

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