Goofer Trouble

1940
Sound
8m

Two daft 'goofers' cause trouble by staying outside while an air battle rages overhead in this punchy WWII public information film.

Two know-it-all 'goofers' – splendidly played by comedy stalwarts Fred Emney and Edward Chapman – stand outside while an air battle rages overhead, which prevents allied airmen above from using their machine guns for fear of hitting civilians. "Give us a break," one weary pilot entreats, "back us up – take shelter and don't give us any more goofer trouble".

Also featured in this short is David Farrar, leading man in Powell and Pressburger's Black Narcissus (1947). Here he plays an Intelligence Officer who wants to know how many aircraft have been shot down.

WWII at the Pictures

Once the cinemas were declared open for business, the film industry kept the reels turning, serving up a mixed diet of news, morale-boosting propaganda and uplifting entertainment.

In the early days of the war, cinemas were closed as a public safety measure, but authorities were soon persuaded of film's many virtues in wartime. Newsreels kept spirits up and relayed vital information, documentaries rigorously explored every aspect of life and work on the home front, and an array of animations and short films imparted practical tips and guidance.

Feature films, meanwhile, offered equal parts inspiring wartime stories and escapist fantasy to bring relief from everyday trials. And with gender roles evolving and so many men away from home, producers were forced to pay more attention (long overdue!) to the tastes and interests of women cinemagoers - with fascinating and enduring results.