0556 - Pett and Pott

Object Type: Asset

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0556 - Pett and Pott

Promotes the use of the telephone, using the story of two neighbouring families, the Petts who are "good and just" and the Potts, "evil and unjust". The two families hear news of a spate of burglaries in their neighbourhood. Alarmed, the Petts decide to purchase a telephone whilst Mrs Pott instead opts to hire a maid. The Pett's purchase proves to be more than just a valuable safeguard - it enhances their domestic and social lives, whilst Mrs Pott can only look on with envy as she takes on more burdens due to her incompetent maid and increasingly absent husband. Time passes until, aware of a disturbance next door, the Petts telephone the police. The police enter the Pott's property and find the maid in bed with the leader of the gang of burglars. In court, the burglar is sent down, having been "apprehended by the judicious use of the Post Office telephone" whilst the judge goes on to suggest that the Potts "smooth out their domestic differences and household burdens" by installing a telephone instrument. Cast: J M Reeves, Marjorie Fone, June Godfrey, Bruce Winston, Eric Hudson, Barbara Nixon, Jack Scott and Valeska Gert. Director: Alberto Cavalcanti. Associate directors: Basil Wright and Stuart Legg. Sound: John Cox. Music: Walter Leigh. Camera: John Taylor. Presented by John Grierson. Sets by F.H. Jennings. Acted by J.M. Reeves (Mr Pett), Marjorie Fone (Mrs Pett), June Godfrey (Polly Pett), Bruce Winston (The Judge), Eric Hudson (Mr Pott), Barbara Nixon (Mrs Pott), Jack Scott (The Burglar), Valeska Gert (The Maid). Details of scenes and times: 10.53, 11.18 candlestick telephone 11.23 200/300 series telephone. 14.45 Mrs Pott at home speaking on telephone. 14.57 series 200/300 black telephone on table. 17.17-18.09 Mr Pett at the office and Mrs Pett at home speaking to each other using the 200/300 series telephone, telephone wires. 25.53 Polly Pett using the 200/300 series telephone, 25.55 close up of dial on the 200/300 series telephone. 29.21, 29.24, 29.28 white 200/300 series telephone.

Catalogue

Finding Number: BTA-MI1/0556

Date: 1934

Period: 1930s

Level: Item

Distribution: Theatrical distribution

Film function: Promotional

Promotion Subject: Telephone service

Year: 1934

Repository: BT Archives (ARCHON 1814)

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