Prelinger Archives

1,825–1,872 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 How to Keep a Job 1949 · Film · Subtitles More conventional wisdom from Coronet presented through the use of the classic "Goofus and Gallant" device. Internet Archive One World or None Film · Subtitles Animated. Internet Archive [Amateur film: Medicus collection: New York World's Fair, 1939-40] (Reel 6) (Part II) 1939 · Home movie · 21 min · Subtitles Detailed documentation of the "World of Tomorrow" in beautiful Kodachrome. 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 Choosing for Happiness 1950 · Film · Subtitles Discusses a young woman's negative appraisal of each new man she meets. Ultimately, she learns that selfanalysis must come first, that she must accept the… Internet Archive The Dan Smoot Report: The Fourteenth Amendment (#386) Film · Subtitles Content warning: This film includes a racist phrase referring to African American people at 4:35. Polemical broadcast from conservative political activist Dan… Internet Archive Unique Contribution, The (Part II) 1959 · Educational · 13 min · Subtitles How educational films contribute to teaching and learning. With many examples taken from scientific and historical films. Internet Archive Ways to Good Habits 1949 · Film · Subtitles TWO BOYS HELP EACH OTHER DEVELOP GOOD HABITS, ONE IN SOFTBALL, OTHER IN PERSONALITY. STEPS IN HABIT FORMATION ARE EXPLAINED AS IDENTIFYING PROBLEM, GETTING… Internet Archive Chevrolet Leader News (Vol. 3, No. 3) 1937 · Film · Subtitles PURDUE UNIVERSITY BAND DUSTS OFF WORLD'S LARGEST DRUM. DRIVE-IN BANK. BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE: 12,000 BOXING MATCHES AT ONCE. AERIAL CLOWNS SPEED ALONG HIGHWAY.… Internet Archive Conservation of Natural Resources 1937 · Film · Subtitles Depicts the results of wastage of natural resurces and shows how such wastage can be prevented. Discloses depletion of forests, effects of wind and water… Internet Archive Streamlines 1936 · Film · Subtitles "STREAMLINES ADD TO THE SAFETY, ECONOMY & COMFORT OF THE MODERN AUTOMOBILE AS WELL AS TO THE BEAUTY." kids swimming – shot of 3 kids calling offscreen kids… Internet Archive [Gould can 1028: Lawn Dancing] 1920 · Film · Subtitles Freestyle (Isadora Duncan-type) dancing; also society wedding with formalized lawn dancing. [Bert Gould indicates in his list that this may come from a… Internet Archive Writing Better Social Letters 1950 · Film · Subtitles EXPLAINS FORMS & PURPOSES OF SOCIAL LETTERS, PRINCIPLES OF LETTER WRITING. TEENAGE BOY AND SISTER SIT AT DINING ROOM TABLE WRITING THANK YOU LETTER TO… Internet Archive IBM Day: New York World's Fair (May 4, 1939) 1939 · Film · Subtitles speeches by corporate executives and by Grover Whalen. The film documents IBM Day at the New York World's Fair on May 4, 1939, celebrating the company's… Internet Archive Your Chance to Live: Earthwatch 1972 · Film · Subtitles Presents the story of a teenage couple caught in the tragic path of a tsunami. Explains the nature of earthquakes and the consequences of their power. Internet Archive Safeguarding Military Information 1941 · Film · Subtitles Stresses the importance of secrecy on the part of military personnel and workers engaged in defense activities, and shows the results of careless talk. Ship… Internet Archive Pharmacist, The 1946 · Short · 9 min · Subtitles Career opportunities. Internet Archive Life Is a Lark at Willow Grove Park 1956 · Film · Subtitles Features bands playing at music stand; plus 20 minute film of amusement park, rides and circus. Internet Archive [San Francisco Scenes] 1929 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco scenes. Aerials; Pacific Telephone Building; looking down Market Street, shot from around 8th Street; Ferry Building; Goat Island, ferry in… Internet Archive How to Listen To... New Dimensions in Sound 1957 · Film · Subtitles PRESENTS NEW STEREO RCA VICTOR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS & PLAYER. DEMONSTRATES SOUND OF STEREOPHONIC REPRODUCTION. 17:12:24:00 How to Listen to New Dimensions in… Internet Archive Growth of Cities 1942 · Film · Subtitles Explains the natural influences affecting the location and growth of cities. Describes with animated maps, the gradual growth of American cities from trading… Internet Archive You and Your Bicycle 1948 · Film · Subtitles SAFETY SCENES FROM OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA CONTAINING SIMULATED ACCIDENTS, SAFE & UNSAFE BIKE CONDUCT. LOTS OF GOOD STREET & CITY STOCK MATERIAL. Internet Archive Social Security Story, The 1962 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles Tour of the new Social Security offices in Woodlawn, Md. and orientation for taxpayers. Internet Archive Manhattan Waterfront Film · Subtitles Travelogue documentary distributed by RKO Radio Pictures and produced by the Van Beuren Corporation. Part of the World on Parade series. Internet Archive 1952 Chevrolet Advertising 1951 · Film · Subtitles Great compilation of stock Chevrolet advertising materials for 1952 18:02:30:30:26 Various illustrations of Chevrolet advertisements: “Chevrolet for… Internet Archive Welcome to Southern California 1945 · Film · Subtitles Content warning: The voiceover narration of this film speaks in a disparaging or patronizing manner about Chinese American and Mexican American culture. It… Internet Archive Health: Your Cleanliness 1953 · Short · 11 min · Subtitles Importance of cleanliness in fields of science & medicine as protection against disease. Washing hands, bathing, showers, brushing teeth & hair, care of skin,… Internet Archive Aluminum on the March (Part I) 1956 · Cartoon · 13 min · Subtitles PLEASE NOTE: A one-part, higher-quality version of this film is now here. Internet Archive Point of Return 1965 · Film · Subtitles 04:56:23:12 CU man with loosened tie and burning cigarette in mouth lies on bed staring blankly out into space. 04:56:38:26 CU hand puts out cigarette in full… Internet Archive Modern Peiping 1930 · Film · Subtitles Travelogue with stereotypical "Chinese music" track. Possibly produced by U.S. Navy; shows Navy bluejackets touring Beijing and outskirts. Many good shots to… 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 U.S. Customs Safeguards Our Foreign Trade, The 1950 · Short · 16 min · Subtitles Shows the work of the United States Customs Service on the Canadian border, on the Mexican border, and in the eastern and western harbors of the United… Internet Archive WJR: One of a Kind 1956 · Film · Subtitles Story of radio station WJR, Detroit. Many shots with local radio personalities in studio and people listening to the radio at home, in the ballpark at work… Internet Archive What Is Business? 1948 · Film · Subtitles Gives students a view of business in the world around them. Business sets the scene and provides the props. It produces Mother's pen, the bread on the… Internet Archive Dictators or Democracy 1939 · Film · Subtitles Footage of Soviet Union "Socialism -- Sugar-Coated for the Masses!" Germany Italy a bunch of Depression-era images of the United States; strikes, riots,… Internet Archive Victory Gardens Short · 20 min · Subtitles 0614 PA8171 Victory Gardens Internet Archive Who's Right? 1954 · Film · Subtitles A dramatization of the experience of a young married couple whose quarrels undermine their happiness and prevent the development of adult love based on mutual… Internet Archive Singing Wheels Short · 23 min · Subtitles Story: Morgan Gibney and James Prindle. Director: H.L. Roberts. Photographer: Orlando Lippert and George Hoover. Music: Edwin E. Ludig. Lyrics: Maurice H.… Internet Archive Roads to Romance: The Santa Cruz Trail and Land of the Giant Cactus 1950 · Short · 3 min · Subtitles Travelogue, made for theatrical showing, promoting tourism in Arizona. Internet Archive [Gould can 5115: San Francisco Bay Area Newsreel Stories] 1922 · Newsreel · Subtitles Assembly of newsreel stories relating to the San Francisco Bay Area, as follows: Slide at Selby, California misses passenger train (1928); Santa Claus wishes… Internet Archive Styling and the Experimental Car 1964 · Film · Subtitles Relies heavily on stills but is graphically sophisticated film. Introduces the Mustang. Internet Archive Logic by Machine 1962 · Film · Subtitles Discusses the computer revolution and the relationship between man and machine. Explains how the computer can process millions of bits of data in seconds and… Internet Archive Open Door: The Story of Foreman Jim Baxter and His Family, The 1945 · Film · Subtitles 08:23:38 CU hand turns and opens door. The story of foreman Jim Baxter, his family, and his job. 08:24:20 CU outside view window of clapboard house with… Internet Archive Pathe News Digest (1937, No. 3) 1937 · Film · Subtitles Includes: Russia--Answer to Japan; Stalin reviews fleet and air; Milk-Wooll Rocket -- Ice Genius "backfires"; Washington vs. Chicago football; CIO strike --… Internet Archive Invisible Protectors, The 1956 · Film · Subtitles 21:45:00:15 1Man wearing suit walks out of flower shop carrying a bouquet of flowers, pauses in front of camera to inspect his bouquet, then walks out of… Internet Archive Communication and Interaction in Three Families 1951 · Film · Subtitles Panorama POV of San Francisco in 1951. Driving POVs of expressway. Hand picks up Norbert Wiener's Cybernetics Hand picks up Bateson and Kees' book Hand sets… Internet Archive Combat America 1945 · Film · Subtitles Follows the Flying Fortress crews of the 351st Bombardment Group from the end of their training at a Colorado training field to actual combat over Germany. It… Internet Archive Amateur: Old West, Cowboys and Indians, Arizona and New Mexico Short · 14 min · Subtitles 0711 PA8631 Amateur: ["Old West, Cowboys and Indians, Arizona and New Mexico"] 16 B&W pos orig MOS, marked 07: