- Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light
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Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light Directed by Herbert Mason Produced by Edward Black Written by Sidney Gilliat Starring Sydney Howard
Muriel GeorgeCinematography Arthur Crabtree Distributed by Ministry of Information Release date(s) 1941 Running time 7 minutes 45 seconds Country 
United KingdomLanguage English Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light is a 1941 British World War II public information/propaganda short film, directed by Herbert Mason and featuring cameos from a number of well-known actors of the day. The film was commissioned by the Ministry of Information and was designed to emphasise, in a humorous manner, the need for absolute adherence to wartime blackout regulations. It includes some studio-bound footage of a Luftwaffe base and the interiors of plane cockpits, alongside genuine newsreel footage of an aerial dogfight and a downed plane.[1]
Contents
Synopsis
Mr. Proudfoot is an attention-seeking bore who subjects his long-suffering wife and exasperated acquaintances to endless tall tales about narrow escapes from bombs. He also teases the local blackout warden for his ridiculous pettiness when it comes to enforcing blackout restrictions.
One night Mr. Proudfoot is careless about his blackout, and the light showing from his home provides a target for a stray German bomber plane. Having unloaded a bomb over Mr. Proudfoot's district, the pilots are shot down by the RAF, and under interrogation state that they were guided to their target by a light blazing from a property. Mr. Proudfoot is shown bandaged and bruised in hospital, still boasting to anyone who will listen about his latest brush with death.
Cast
- Sydney Howard as Mr. Proudfoot
- Muriel George as Mrs. Proudfoot
- Wylie Watson as Friend
- Irene Handl as Councillor
- Noel Dainton as Warden
- Aubrey Mallalieu as Chairman
- Percy Walsh as Officer
- Albert Lieven as German
- Michael Wilding as RAF Officer
References
- ^ Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light Film & Sound Online, University of Edinburgh.
External links
- Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light at the Internet Movie Database
- Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light at BFI Film & TV Database
Films directed by Herbert Mason 1930s The First Offence • His Lordship • East Meets West • Take My Tip • Strange Boarders • The Silent Battle1940s A Window in London • Dr. O'Dowd • The Briggs Family • Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light • Fingers • Once a Crook • Back-Room Boy • The Night Invader • It's in the Bag • Flight from FollyCategories:- British films
- 1941 films
- British short films
- British World War II propaganda films
- Public information films
- Films directed by Herbert Mason
- Black-and-white films
- Battle of Britain films
- Aviation films
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