This film is part of Free
Cotton Come Back
A passionate post-war plea for workers to return to the cotton industry after decades of decline, framed as an argument between father and daughters.
Overview
This evocative post-war plea from the Ministry of Labour stakes a claim for the continuing relevance of the cotton industry. Structured as an argument between a cynical father and his two daughters, both fervent champions of the newly modernised mills, Donald Alexander’s film aims to illustrate the rebirth of an industry perceived to be in decline following its industrial revolution heyday.
Shot on location in Shaw, Oldham and Rochdale, using ‘real people’ to enact the story, Cotton Come Back was one of several postwar recruitment films sponsored by the Board of Trade and Ministry of Labour, designed to revivify trade and encourage workers back into industry. Cotton Come Back is also available on the BFI DVD collection Land of Promise: The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950. 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.
Related
Masculinity in Modes Masculinity in Modes
Cinemagazine 1931 1 mins Silent
Women wear the trousers: sample the latest Parisian couture with this pretty stencil-coloured piece from Eve's Film Review.
Make-do-and-mend Make-do-and-mend
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1945 1 mins
A wartime family look on in amazement as their old clothes offer useful advice on how to make their clothing coupons go further.
It All Began with Velvet It All Began with Velvet
Industry sponsored film 1955 31 mins Location: Manningham
Fabrics galore burst into a Britain just recovering from war rationing, with mohair velvets, moth protected carpets and waterproofed textiles adorning London Routemasters.
London Line No. 373 London Line No. 373
Cinemagazine 1971 15 mins Silent Location: Westminster
A Ghanaian fashion student and a Nigerian squash player are among the African community making a life in 70s Britain in this edition of the magazine show.
So It all Comes out Super in the Wash So It all Comes out Super in the Wash
Training film/TV programme 1972 18 mins
Are you being served? A bewildered shop girl gets a boutique introduction to an innovative fabric.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George 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
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.