Toonhound - Handling Ships (1944/1945)

    During the Second World War, Halas & Batchelor made an array of propaganda
    and instructional films for the Ministry of Information, the War Office and the
    Admiralty. Their 70 short films included many aimed at raising public morale,
    and persuading a greater contribution to the war effort ("Dustbin Parade" and
    "Filling the Gap" come to mind). There were even a series of antifascist films
    aimed towards the Middle East, and starring the Arab boy Abu. These films
    usually ran for 10 minutes, or under.

    "Handling Ships" was an exception, a feature-length production with a 70 minute
    run time, and no hidden agenda. It was an instructional film. It was made for the
    Admiralty, and as the title says, it was a very precise guide to piloting ships,
    their navigation and manoeuvrability. John Halas used three-dimensional
    models and simplified schematics to convey what was quite complicated
    information.

    Though it has slipped under many a radar, at the time, "Handling Ships" was
    the longest stop-motion production to have been made in Great Britain. And it
    proved to be the perfect training tool, because in 1949, the Admiralty
    commissioned a follow up for their submariners, called "Submarine Control".

   "Handling Ships" was intended for use by, and for, the Admiralty, and wasn't
    released in regular cinema chains. In 1948 a second feature-length instructional
    film was commissioned by the Home office (Water for Fire Fighting). But it
    wasn't until the arrival of Animal Farm, in 1955, that Britain could say it
    had its first commercially realised, animated feature film.

      directors:        John Halas, Alan Crick
      producer:      John Halas
      script:           Alan Crick
      design:         John Halas
      animation:    John Halas

      On the web

       Halas & Batchelor
       The official site with info on the Halas & Batchelor catalogue,
       details of the studio history, awards, availability and clips
       to view too....

      Animation Research Centre
       The Surrey-based centre presents a huely informative studio and
       production history online here...

      index »    previous »   next »

	cartoons, animation, comic strips and puppets in the UK
HOME THE HOUND british toon news & chatter MOVIE TOONS animated films & shorts TV TOONS animated series TOON MAKERS animation studios & people IT'S A PUPPET! string, hand & finger puppets COMICS characters, strips & comic books TOON GODS British animators & illustrators RESOURCES FLEETWAY ST. GENTLEMAN BRIGGS BUNTY'S BOOTY CRACKING COLLECTIBLES _______________ ABOUT ME CONTACT ME DISCLAIMER _______________
			Handling Ships (1944/1945) producers: Halas & Batchelor for the Admiralty animation: stop-motion and traditional animation run time: 70 mins
		During the Second World War, Halas & Batchelor made an array of propaganda and instructional films for the Ministry of Information, the War Office and the Admiralty. Their 70 short films included many aimed at raising public morale, and persuading a greater contribution to the war effort ("Dustbin Parade" and "Filling the Gap" come to mind). There were even a series of antifascist films aimed towards the Middle East, and starring the Arab boy Abu. These films usually ran for 10 minutes, or under. "Handling Ships" was an exception, a feature-length production with a 70 minute run time, and no hidden agenda. It was an instructional film. It was made for the Admiralty, and as the title says, it was a very precise guide to piloting ships, their navigation and manoeuvrability. John Halas used three-dimensional models and simplified schematics to convey what was quite complicated information. Though it has slipped under many a radar, at the time, "Handling Ships" was the longest stop-motion production to have been made in Great Britain. And it proved to be the perfect training tool, because in 1949, the Admiralty commissioned a follow up for their submariners, called "Submarine Control". "Handling Ships" was intended for use by, and for, the Admiralty, and wasn't released in regular cinema chains. In 1948 a second feature-length instructional film was commissioned by the Home office (Water for Fire Fighting). But it wasn't until the arrival of Animal Farm, in 1955, that Britain could say it had its first commercially realised, animated feature film. directors: John Halas, Alan Crick producer: John Halas script: Alan Crick design: John Halas animation: John Halas On the web Halas & Batchelor The official site with info on the Halas & Batchelor catalogue, details of the studio history, awards, availability and clips to view too.... Animation Research Centre The Surrey-based centre presents a huely informative studio and production history online here... index » previous » next »

© Halas & Batchelor / F2006