Prelinger Archives

1,585–1,632 of 10,345 films, free to watch, from the world's open archives.

Where these films come from, and who sees what

Every film here plays from the archive that keeps it: the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons, the NASA Image and Video Library, the Library of Congress and Open Images (the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision). Nothing is copied to this site. Each film's page names its archive, links to its page there, and states its licence or status as the archive does.

Archive films carry no age ratings, so each is placed from the collections it sits in and the subjects the archive gives it, cautiously. Sexual content and nudity are left out altogether.

Little OnesFilms for young children by name: nursery rhymes, lullabies, preschool.
KidsCartoons and animation, children's and family films, and educational films, unless they deal with war, propaganda, crime, horror or drugs, or carry racial caricature.
TweensDocumentaries, science, nature and space, classic comedies, newsreels, commercials and lectures.
TeensEverything else, including anything we cannot tell about; war, crime, horror and westerns go no lower.
AdultSexual themes (such as the old "sex hygiene" films), gore, surgery, slaughter, atrocity footage.
Internet Archive American Look 1958 · Film · Subtitles A "tribute to the American stylist," American Look shows families at leisure, children dressed in cowboy and cowgirl outfits watching television, a father… Internet Archive Science in Action: Drilling for Oil (Part II) 1956 · Film · Subtitles Kinescope of Fifties science TV program featuring discussions and demonstrations. In this episode, host Earl Herald interviews Howard G. Vesper, VP of… Internet Archive [Amateur film: Chicago World's Fair] 1933 · Home movie · 12 min · Subtitles Century of Progress exhibition; New York City scenes. Internet Archive This Is the City 1958 · Film · Subtitles VS downtown Los Angeles. Pan overlooking downtown LA on smoggy (overcast) day, panning from gas tanks over industrial district east of Civic Center to Los… Internet Archive Tobacco and the Human Body 1954 · Short · 14 min · Subtitles Early film on tobacco's physical effects. Internet Archive Selling as a Career 1953 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles TYPICAL DAY OF WORK OF ART WILLIAMS, SALESMAN OF SPORTING GOODS. PREPARATIONS AT HOME FOR NEXT DAY'S WORK, FILLS OUT REPORTS, ESTIMATES SALES PROSPECTS,… Internet Archive Fun That Builds Good Health, The 1950 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Presents a variety of choices of recreation in terms of good times and good health. Director: Gil Altschul. Cameraman: Bruce Colling. Writers: George Tychsen,… Internet Archive Story of Light, The 1954 · Film · Subtitles HISTORY OR VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH MAN HAS OBTAINED LIGHT, FROM EARLY USE OF FIRE TO ELECTRIC LIGHTING. FEATURES STRINGLESS PUPPETS PRODUCED BY JOOP GEESINK. A… Internet Archive China Under Communism 1962 · Film · Subtitles Depicts various phases of Chinese life. Describes China's most critical social and economic problems. Internet Archive Roads to Romance (Northern Horizons / Land of Everlasting Hills) 1951 · Film · Subtitles Adirondack National Park & Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Colorful "See America First" Chevrolet travelogues. PA-2353: 17:53:15:11 (0:53:28): OAK CREEK… Internet Archive Waters of the Commonwealth 1950 · Film · Subtitles Shows the need for abatement of pollution of the streams and the accomplishments being attained by the Sanitary Water Board, Pennsylvania Department of… Internet Archive Dear Miss Gloria 1946 · Film · Subtitles Appears to be a pilot episode for a series starring Gloria Swanson. High-angle shots of Manhattan and Central Park. Internet Archive Junior High Schools in New York City 1961 · Short · 20 min · Subtitles An overview of all subjects and extracurricular activities which are available in the junior high schools of New York City. Internet Archive Unid. Soundie "Sweet Sue" (Juvenile Jubilee) 1940 · Film · Subtitles All woman orchestra. 00:03:02:21 - 00:06:11:05 B/W Sound 1940s Elegant ballroom set. Women in matching skirts dance in unison. Men in suits enter room, sing… Internet Archive What You Should Know About Biological Warfare 1951 · Film · Subtitles Film about the threat of biological warfare in Cold War-era America. Describes three types of biological warfare (germs, toxins, and plant growth regulators)… Internet Archive Nervous System, The 1937 · Film · Subtitles Examines the structure and functions of the spinal cord, medulla, mid-brain, thalamus, and cerebrum. Explains, through animated drawings, how sense organs… Internet Archive Target Invisible 1945 · Short · 8 min · Subtitles Illustrates the use of radar on a dramatized mission over Japan. Internet Archive Bookkeeping and Accounting 1945 · Film · Subtitles Describes the many jobs that bookkeepers and accountants perform, the tools and education each must have, and the types of advancement possible. household… Internet Archive You and Your Friends 1946 · Film · Subtitles "Here we are at a nice, friendly party. Watch carefully everything the people at this party do and say, then ask yourself, 'would I rate them plus or minus as… Internet Archive Carving Magic Short · 20 min · Subtitles Sponsored film from Swift and Company about how to accurately carve meat. 0657 PA8663 Carving Magic 16 Eastman comp RP Internet Archive Right to Health: Neighborhood Health Centers in Profile, A 1969 · Film · Subtitles New York City subway passes through city. VS slum children, slum neighborhoods, urban inner-city street scenes. VS Bronx, New York City, vicinity of… Internet Archive Thunderbolt Hunters 1941 · Film · Subtitles DEMONSTRATES HOW LIGHTNING IS PHOTOGRAPHED FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES. Story of scientists who study real and artificial lightning. Stock shots: dogs and cats… Internet Archive Fears of Children 1951 · Film · Subtitles FEARS OF CHILDREN, the third in a series of mental health films entitled "Emotions of Everyday Living," is a film about Paul, a normal five-year-old, and his… Internet Archive Party Magic (Beich Screen Ad--"Whiz" Bar) 1938 · Short · 1 min · Subtitles Screen ad for Beich "Whiz Bar" candy featuring teenagers and a magic trick. Internet Archive Man of Action 1955 · Film · Subtitles Animated. 02:25:10 VO: "This is the story of an average sort of fellow who lives in a nice average home, in a nice average town. Every night he comes home to… Internet Archive Fire: What Makes it Burn 1952 · Film · Subtitles Uses simple laboratory demonstrations to show what is needed to make a fire, what a flame is, how combustion takes place and how a fire can be extinguished.… Internet Archive Tina, A Girl Of Mexico 1946 · Film · Subtitles A short ethnography of Taxco, Mexico, made for American audiences. The voiceover narration, in addition to describing specifics of family and community life,… Internet Archive Kit Carson Coca-Cola Spots 1950 · Film · Subtitles Coca-cola ad spots from The Adventures of Kit Carson. Hank Peterson is the Coca-cola spokesman. Internet Archive 16mm Motion Picture Projector: Operating Techniques, The 1961 · Short · 20 min · Subtitles Training film for military projectionists. Internet Archive Everyday Courtesy 1948 · Film · Subtitles Discusses courtesy in connection with invitations, telephone conversations, introduction and entertaining guests. 19:50:59:10 VS kids in early teens with… Internet Archive Chevrolet Blankets the Nation 1934 · Film · Subtitles DEPICTS CHEVROLET ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. HOME INTERIORS SHOW GENERAL PUBLIC GETTING MESSAGES. MAGAZINES, RADIO, NEWSPAPERS, ETC. SHOWN. GOOD MEDIA /… Internet Archive Modes of the Moment 1917 · Short · 3 min · Subtitles Early "footery fashions" film sponsored by the Walk-Over Company. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Aruba 1972] 1972 · Home movie · Subtitles Teenage boys and girls entering jet plane through jetway door Flight attendant in aisle serving VS out windows and of passengers Aerials Landing on runway VS… Internet Archive Rochester: A City of Quality (Part I) 1963 · Short · 11 min · Subtitles Tour of the area, concentrating on redevelopment and economic activity. Internet Archive Bee City 1951 · Short · 11 min · Subtitles Humorous exploration of the life of the bee. Internet Archive 000714 Film 000714 Internet Archive Invitation to a Nation 1946 · Short · 9 min · Subtitles Produced and Directed: Byron Roudabush. Photography: John Bessor; Editor: George Merriken; Script: Oeveste Granducci; Voice of George Washington: Raine Bennett Internet Archive Chain Reaction 1958 · Film · Subtitles Man comes home, puts on treasured record, machine destroys record. Leads into discussion of importance of quality control in U.S. industry. Internet Archive System Technology 1960 · Film · Subtitles Many good stock shots to be logged. On the development of an early warning aircraft simulation system. Excellent footage of computers and data processing.… Internet Archive [IA_35000011: Process Plate, Manhattan, New York City, 8th Avenue, 5th Avenue, and 50th Street, ca. 1945] 1945 · Short · 5 min Process plates shot from moving camera cars down 8th Avenue, 5th Avenue, and 50th Street, Manhattan, New York City, ca. 1945 Internet Archive Oil Today - Power Tomorrow 1950 · Short · 16 min · Subtitles The story of how oil is brought to the earth's surface and turned into power. Emphasizes the men who work in the oil industry and the significance of oil as a… Internet Archive Angry Boy 1950 · Film · Subtitles Produced by Irving Jacoby and Alexander Hammid. Directed by Alexander Hammid. Filmed in and around the Huron Valley Child Guidance Clinic in Michigan. This… Internet Archive What You Should Know About Biological Warfare 1952 · Film · Subtitles Shows how germs, toxins and plant growth regulators are used in biological warfare, how attacks may occur, and what individuals should do is epidemic results.… Internet Archive Look at Pontiac for 1954! 1954 · Film · Subtitles 1954 Pontiac advertising film. Great shots of Pontiac showroom cars on rotating platforms. VS POV from inside Pontiac driving on race tracks and open road.… Internet Archive Helicopter, The 1953 · Film · Subtitles 0:24 VS airplanes taxiing down runway and up into air Camera pans airplanes parked in airport Airplane lands, then helicopter lands in front of bldg. Man… Internet Archive Right or Wrong? (Making Moral Decisions) 1951 · Film · Subtitles [Educational Screen, Oct 1951] The film presents a series of situations which involve moral decisions and raises the question of whether or not each of the… Internet Archive Atomic Power at Shippingport (Part II) 1958 · Short · 14 min · Subtitles Tour of the first commercial nuclear power plant. Internet Archive Say No to Strangers 1963 · Film · Subtitles Shows how children meet and correctly cope with situations calling upon them to remember each of the safety rules they have been taught.