We want to get to know you more to help improve our service. Please take 2 minutes to fill out our survey here. Thank you! test2

This film is part of Free

Title of error

See Help

Coughs and Sneezes

One of Richard Massingham’s most famous public information films, which lead to the ubiquitous mantra: "Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases".

Public Information Filler 1945 1 mins

Overview

One of Richard Massingham’s most famous public information films, which lead to the ubiquitous mantra: "Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases". The film is bookended by two cruelly humorous sequences, as we witness a series of cartoonish pranks played upon anonymous wretches, and Massingham’s comeuppance as he’s punished with a dose of pepper and the mother of all sneezing fits.

A selection of over 20 films from one of British cinema’s most fascinating and enduring eccentrics is available on BFI DVD: How To Be Eccentric: The Selected Films of Richard Massingham. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.

Director

Richard Massingham

Featuring

Richard Massingham

Genres

Public Information Filler

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Subjects

Common cold Film trailers Public health Health education Central Office of Information Ministry of Information

Watch for free

Green Cross Code - He's Great Green Cross Code - He's Great

Public Information Filler 1976 0 mins

David Prowse (the frame of Darth Vader) appears as the iconic Green Cross Code Man, heaping praise on a young GXC expert.

Watch for free

I Am a Litter Basket I Am a Litter Basket

Public Information Filler 1959 6 mins

A heartfelt cry on behalf of the world's litter-baskets.

Watch for free

Charley's Black Magic Charley's Black Magic

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1949 9 mins

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

Watch for free

Lonely Water Lonely Water

1973 2 mins

Terrifying public information film presenting the horrific consequences of playing in or near rivers, ponds and other water hazards.

Watch for free

Rickets Rickets

1944 0 mins

A hard-hitting WWII Food Flash warning about the dangers of rickets - and how to avoid them

Watch for free

Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive

Public Information Filler 1963 1 mins

Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.