Prelinger Archives

2,161–2,208 of 10,346 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 Interrupted Morning 1961 · Film · Subtitles Discusses car accidents from the point of view of the doctor who is tired of patching up victims. Stresses the importance of seatbelts. Shows crash… Internet Archive New Neighbor 1953 · Short · 24 min · Subtitles Building a steel mill from scratch and a city for its workers (Levittown, Pa.). Internet Archive Psychological Operations in Support of Internal Defense and Development Assistance Programs 1968 · Film · Subtitles At the United States embassy of a small fictional country, Hostland, delegates request assistance in counteracting the outside influences which "have planted… Internet Archive Nice-a Da Banan' 1919 · Film · Subtitles "The street his market place, a push cart his store, this son of foreign immigrants shouts his slogan of prosperity -- 'Nice-a Da Banan.'" Italian pushcart… Internet Archive Just a Second 1937 · Film · Subtitles Just a Second is a black-and-white silent short film produced by the Handy (Jam) Organization in 1937 or 1939 for the U.S. Rubber Company. The film features… Internet Archive More Dangerous Than Dynamite Film · Subtitles Warns housewives about the effects of cleaning clothes with Gasoline. Internet Archive Safety Through Seat Belts Short · 12 min · Subtitles 0660 PA8713 Safety Through Seat Belts 16 B&W comp print; from 002.01; Univ of Calif production Internet Archive Getting Ready Morally 1951 · Film · Subtitles Shows how the service experience helps a youth to develop self-reliance and to assume the responsibility for making his own decisions. Internet Archive Henry Charles Studios Cape May, Reel 12 1969 · Film Outtakes from a film promoting tourism in Cape May County, on the New Jersey shore. Internet Archive Rochester: A City of Quality (Part II) 1963 · Short · 14 min · Subtitles Tour of the area, concentrating on redevelopment and economic activity. Internet Archive Day in the Life of a Kitchen, A 1960 · Film · Subtitles Excellent film about a typical day in modern kitchen. Mom is "operations chief" - she creates and prepares in the kitchen. Internet Archive Rumor, The 1950 · Film · Subtitles The film concerns a rumor that arises regarding a sand and gravel works planning to locate in a small town, and the community concerns that arise. Many good… Internet Archive [Union Square, San Francisco Fashion Show] 1950 · Newsreel · Subtitles 1950s fashion show is staged on a runway set up in the middle of Union Square Park, San Francisco. Newsreel story. Internet Archive The Wearing Away of the Land 1939 · Film · Subtitles Shows the ways in which natural forces such as rain, glaciers, wind, and the ocean, erode the land. "How rocks are decomposed; how caves and sink holes are… Internet Archive Safe As You Think 1950 · Film · Subtitles MAN ABOUT TO TAKE ONE CHANCE TOO MANY IS INTERCEPTED BY EMISSARY FROM HEAVEN WHO TEACHES HIM "SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS" AND PLEADS HIS CASE BEFORE HOLY SAFETY… Internet Archive Eskimos: Winter in Western Alaska 1950 · Short · 8 min · Subtitles Typical activities of Alaskan Eskimo life throughout a long winter. Internet Archive To Keep Them Well 2026 · Film · Subtitles ca. late 1950s, early 1960s little girl getting physical at pediatrician's 2 girls playing ball in driveway, dad backing in, girl doesn't hear him, he jams on… Internet Archive News Parade of 1945 1945 · Newsreel · 2 min · Subtitles 0557 PA8076 News Parade of 1945 35mm nitrate Internet Archive Social Seminar: Brian at Seventeen 1971 · Film · Subtitles Presents an adolescent's view of his educational needs and how school is and is not fulfilling them. Gives a perspective of his educational experience, his… Internet Archive Precisely So 1937 · Film · Subtitles "THROUGH THE MICROSCOPE IS THE FANTASTIC LAND BEYOND HUMAN VISION, WHERE MEN WEIGH SMOKE, WHERE ELECTRIC SPARKS ARE SLUGGISH, & WHERE SOLID STEEL IS BENT BY A… Internet Archive Partners in Progress 1954 · Educational · 18 min · Subtitles The Atlanta Board of Education presents Partners in Progress, produced by Charles O. Beeland Productions, Atlanta. 0738 PA9045 Partners in Progress 16 Koda… Internet Archive Civil War, The 1954 · Film · Subtitles Pictures important military events of the war, stressing social, economic and geographical factors. Animated drawings and color photography used. Internet Archive Signs of Life 1950 · Film · Subtitles driving POVs road signs the usual California roadside stuff 00:48:09:05- 00:48:29:01 traffic going by on Nimitz Freeway, near sign for Hegenberger Road/77th… Internet Archive C.S. Long Lines 1963 · Film · Subtitles Shows the Bell System's modern cable ship laying Transatlantic Cable No. 3 and Transpacific Cable No. 1 from Hawaii to Japan. Shows also the cable links from… Internet Archive Your Thrift Habits 1948 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Modern-day moral tale resembling Ben Franklin's autobiography. Internet Archive Our Community 1952 · Film · Subtitles Illustrates important community functions and services. Depicts police and fire protection, health safeguards, and park and recreational facilities. Points… Internet Archive Red Sox in Action 1950 · Film · Subtitles Features highlights of a Boston Red Sox game, likely from the 1950s. The narrator provides commentary on the game, highlighting the skills of various players,… Internet Archive Permanent Change Of Station-Germany Film · Subtitles U.S. Army Production #701980 DA TVT-20652 U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center. Produced by U.S. Army Combat System Test Activity, OED, Images… Internet Archive Doctor in Industry 1946 · Film · Subtitles Epic history of industrial medicine in the first half of the 20th century, showing how manufacturers and the medical profession came to terms with one another… Internet Archive [Berkeley, California Fire] 1923 · Film · Subtitles Berkeley, California Fire. [Newsreel: Extra !! Berkeley Burns! Entire city threatened by flames] Great footage of 1923 Berkeley fire; buildings on fire;… Internet Archive Boats (aka A Boat Trip) 1938 · Film · Subtitles The story of a trip down the Hudson River from Albany to New York. Two children, boy and girl about 10 to 12 years old, explore the ship Alexander Hamilton… Internet Archive America's Distribution of Wealth 1955 · Film · Subtitles Animated charts are used to show graphically the widespread ownership of America's basic wealth and the equitable distribution of the national income. Internet Archive You and the Weather 1962 · Film · Subtitles Takes the viewer to the hottest, coldest, rainiest and driest places in the United States as it unfolds the complete weather story. Includes sequences on the… Internet Archive San Francisco: Story of a City 1963 · Film · Subtitles Portrays the history of San Francisco pointing out that sailing ships brought the gold miners of 1848, the workers who built the transcontinental railroads,… Internet Archive Seeing Green 1937 · Film · Subtitles A LOOK AT THE "BRAIN" OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SHOWS HOW THE RED & GREEN & AMBER LIGHTS PROMOTE SAFETY. GOOD ANIMATION OF SERIES OF LIGHTS AND LINES OF CARS. GOOD… Internet Archive Learning to Set Type 1959 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Demonstrates basic principles of manual typesetting. Internet Archive [Gould can 5224.2: Twin Peaks Tunnel Construction] 1917 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco, California: Twin Peaks Tunnel: complete print of construction andopening (this is tunnel for streetcars / trolleys) Internet Archive At This Moment (Part II) 1954 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles Importance of railroads to 1950s America. Directed by Haford Kerbawy. Internet Archive Measure of a Man 1962 · Short · 22 min · Subtitles How to say no to the temptation of drinking. Internet Archive Making the Synchrophase in Grebeland 1925 · Film · Subtitles Summary: early radio-building factory industrial film. Sequences of machine parts being manufactured, both factory floor long views and close-ups of hands… Internet Archive O'Mara's Chain Miracle 1951 · Short · 11 min · Subtitles A short-tempered policeman, played by Victor McLaghlan, acts nice to a new Chevy owner and starts a kindness chain reaction in small town. Internet Archive Gossip, The 1955 · Short · 12 min · Subtitles High-school students experience (and discuss) the damaging effects of gossip. Internet Archive Pick of the Pod 1939 · Film · Subtitles 01:19:31:18 Busy intersection of city in 1940s at sunrise; cars fill the street. 01:19:55:23 Great shot from outside of house looking in through window at… Internet Archive Crossroads of the Pacific: A Hawaiian Cruise 1930 · Film · Subtitles Stock shots: warships; desks being washed over by waves; giant artillery guns; planes taking off from aircraft carriers; torpedos being fired; gun turrets;… Internet Archive City Fire Fighters 1947 · Film · Subtitles A fireman demonstrates fire fighting equipment & teaches children responsibility in preventing & controlling fires. Internet Archive Teenage Salute 1950 · Film · Subtitles Kinescope of San Francisco Bay Area television program saluting teenage achievers. 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 Am I Trustworthy? 1950 · Film · Subtitles Provides examples of trustworthiness--returning borrowed articles, keeping promises and doing a good job with assigned tasks.