John Bull's Animated Sketchbook No. 4
An animated recreation of the sinking of the Lusitania is the centrepiece of this pioneering mix of comedy, satire and outrage in cartoon propaganda.
An early edition from a series which marked the true beginning of British animation. The pioneering mix in this issue includes political cartoons, an animated reconstruction of the sinking of the Lusitania and comic scenes of a cartoon Chaplin. Postcard illustrator Dudley Buxton pushed rapidly beyond the filmed 'lightning sketch' to explore the potential of a new art form with wit and innovation.
PROPAGANDA/ANIMATION. Anti-German propaganda cartoon, featuring the sinking of
the 'Lusitania', a parody of a Harry Tate motoring sketch featuring the
Kaiser, and Charlie Chaplin swatting a fly.
"Bill has trouble with his halo" - Kasier Wilhelm is pictured as an angel
playing a lyre and singing, "You made me HATE you. I didn't want to do it".
His halo slips round his neck and he is strangled.
"The growing act of PIRACY" - sketch of a large steam ship "The sinking of the
Lusitania", the background is filled in and the ship begins to move. A
periscope appears and a torpedo is fired; the submarine appears and the ship
is sinks. New sketch of Alfred Von Tirpitz [Commander of the German Navy],
framed by an Iron Cross the cross is turned into a flag and the face turned
into a skull and crossbones.
"MOTORING" With profound apologies to Mr Harry Tate - Sketch of Kaiser Wilhelm
and his son the crown prince in a car. "Haw! I shall get to Calais in about
three weeks" "Yes, Papa!" "I DON'T think". They drive off, "Looks a bit rocky
ahead!" "Yes Papa" - they drive over a sleeping lion, and crash, "Oh Potsdam!"
"Yes Papa". The lion sits up and shakes the union jack on its tail.
Swat that fly! - drawing of a lamppost and an overweight policeman leaning on
it, pestered by a fly. Charlie Chaplin walks in reading a paper with the
headline, "Fly Peril". He returns with a sledgehammer and floors the
policeman, but misses the fly. Charlie enters a bar and orders a beer,
followed by the fly; he swallows the beer but also the fly, causing him to
jump about and fall out of the bar [abrubt end]
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The Sinking of RMS Lusitania
Remembering one of Britain's worst maritime disasters and a pivotal moment of World War One.
It was the worst maritime disaster of World War I so far: 1,197 souls were lost when the Cunard liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by German U-boat 20 off Ireland's south coast on the 7th May 1915. The mighty Lusitania, once one of the proudest vessels in Cunard's fleet, took just 18 minutes to sink. The tragedy had profound repercussions on the international stage, sparking anti-German riots in Britain and outrage across the globe. The death of 148 American citizens started a process that ultimately led to neutral America entering the war on the Allied side.
This small collection gathers together films of the Lusitania, from her heyday as one of Britain's most popular luxury liners, to reportage of her sinking and its aftermath, and the official commemorations on the anniversary of the tragedy. The films highlight some of the issues surrounding the disaster, from the personal tragedies to official reactions and the Lusitania's use as a powerful symbol in war propaganda.
7 videos in this collection
1
2
The Sinking of the Lusitania
3
John Bull's Animated Sketchbook No. 4
4
Anti-German Riots in Liverpool following the Loss of 'Lusitania'
5
Funeral of the Lusitania Victims
6
Remember the Lusitania!
7