Prelinger Archives

2,785–2,832 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 Chinook's Children 1940 · Film · Subtitles Chinook is a champion sled dog. We follow the lives of her progeny. Shots: sled dogs; outdoor compound; dog houses; feeding; tail wagging; playing in snow;… Internet Archive Junior High Schools in New York City 1961 · Film · Subtitles An overview of all subjects and extracurricular activities which are available in the junior high schools of New York City. Internet Archive Guardians Of Our Country's Health 1950 · Short · 16 min · Subtitles Shows what is done by doctors and quarantine inspectors at harbors, airfields and border stations to prevent the spread of disease by persons entering the… Internet Archive Television Tomorrow Educational · 12 min · Subtitles 0641 PA8692 Television Tomorrow 16 B&W comp print Internet Archive Volcanoes Short · 16 min · Subtitles Internet Archive Mr. and Mrs. America 1945 · Short · 12 min · Subtitles Mobilizing citizens on the homefront in World War II. Internet Archive Anatomy of an Accident 1962 · Film · Subtitles Phyllis Avery and David Wayne reenact an actual accident which points out the unsafe driving habits responsible for the accident. Internet Archive Just a Second 1939 · Film · Subtitles Tires Some sensational footage of driving and accidents Animated titles To be logged for shots Internet Archive Phantom City: A Retrospect of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915, The 1932 · Film · Subtitles From the Frank Vail collection. A 1932 film visiting the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (San Francisco World's Fair). Internet Archive [Panama-Pacific International Exposition color footage] 1915 · Short · 8 min · Subtitles Images of the 1915 San Francisco world's fair. Internet Archive Safest Township Anywhere, The 1960 · Film · Subtitles Lessons in safety. Dramatic narrative: Rescue of child looking for lost child who falls down a well. flashlights in field at night overturned bicycle,… Internet Archive History in the Making: Your Ringside Seat at World War 2 1940 · Film · Subtitles OUR EMPIRE IS THE AIR. United States as an air power -- civilian and military. CU WPA sign Captain Billy Vaughan of Pan American Internet Archive Behind the Bright Lights 1935 · Film · Subtitles SHOWS HOW NEWS IS FLASHED ON THE ELECTRIC SIGN, THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MOTOR GRAPH, AND HOW PRODUCTS OF MODERN INDUSTRY ARE PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC. SIGN, MADE… Internet Archive News Magazine of the Screen (1952) 1952 · Newsreel · 20 min · Subtitles Newsreel stories reformatted for educational presentation. Internet Archive Day in Congress, A 1940 · Film · Subtitles U.S. government in process, showing many senators and representatives of the time and departments in the U.S. Capitol. Internet Archive [Gould can 5227.3: Early San Francisco Vaudeville Act] 1912 · Film · Subtitles Early San Francisco Vaudeville Act: lady and gent on stage: he proposes (?), she accepts (?) and a final clinch Internet Archive County of Contrasts: Ulster County, New York 1968 · Film Many stock shots to be logged. On Ulster County, New York -- Kingston area Produced for IBM employees and recruits. Men and women walking into IBM buildings… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Levy collection: Jamaica and Cuba] 1931 · Home movie · Subtitles Crowded street scenes in Kingston, Jamaica. The Levys pose with Jamaicankids and Mrs. Levy gives people money from her pocketbook. A title cardreads "Havana… Internet Archive [San Francisco Longshore Strike] (Part II) 1934 · Short · 5 min · Subtitles Longshoremen close down the Port of San Francisco in the spring of 1934. Internet Archive [San Francisco: Dead Whale Opens Seafood Season] 1950 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco: Dead Whale Opens Seafood Season Dead whale appeared on Market Street Dead whale (42 feet long) is driven down Market Street as promotional… Internet Archive Safety Belt for Susie 1962 · Film · Subtitles Uses anthropometric dummies and dolls to show what could happen to children not wearing safety belts in automobile collisions. Emphasizes that children,… Internet Archive Holiday for Bill 1951 · Film · Subtitles Includes close-up of 78 rpm record spinning. 21:39:31:05 Great shot woman in driver’s seat of tractor starts up tractor as man in 1940s suit climbs into cart… Internet Archive Heritage of Splendor 1963 · Film · Subtitles Emphasizes the importance of preserving America's great natural resources from the consequences of littering. Ronald Reagan narrates. 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 Aviation: The Career for Marc 1964 · Film · Subtitles SHOWS HOW A BOY LEADS A MORE MEANINGFUL LIFE IF HE HAS WORTHWHILE INTERESTS, AN INQUIRING MIND & A DESIRE TO LEARN. Includes a shot of US Air Force Supersonic… Internet Archive [Universal Newspaper Newsreel: Mystery Plane for Ocean Hop Has Robot Pilot] 1930 · Newsreel · Subtitles title: Universal Newsreel: Oakland, Calif. -- Mystery Plane for Ocean Hop Has Robot Pilot robot plane being tested by Army officials ring direction finder… Internet Archive Chicken of Tomorrow, The 1948 · Film · Subtitles How scientific agriculture changes the life and taste of the chicken. Internet Archive Photographic Studies in Hypnosis, Abnormal Psychology 1938 · Film Depiction of a subject under hypnosis enduring various experiments in a clinical setting. From the Photographic Studies in Hypnosis series. This silent film… Internet Archive Tough Friends 1938 · Film · Subtitles "HERE IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE STEEL & THE STEEL ALLOYS THAT HELP MAKE THE MODERN AUTOMOBILE MORE SAFE & DURABLE." Internet Archive Continent is Bridged, A 1940 · Film · Subtitles 06:47:36:26 Man in bowler hat approached engineer in large office seated at desk. Engineer explains the basics of telephony and the future breakthroughs that… Internet Archive Fascinating Yosemite 1940 · Film · Subtitles "Castle Films Inc. documentary that shows how the seasons magically change every visit of the Yosemite National Park." (Chicago Film Archives) From the… Internet Archive Which Way This Time? 1940 · Film · Subtitles Log from PA-0544. Great stock shots to be logged. great animation. animation of stars making American flag animation of war paintings animation of wartime… Internet Archive [Movie Trailers: Christmas 1948 and New Year's 1949] 1948 · Film · Subtitles This Theatre Presents "Merry Christmas" / An S. Claus Production / December 1948 New Year's 1949 Trailer Internet Archive Design for Living 1965 · Film · Subtitles Presents principles of good design as they relate to furnishings and objects common to the home. Uses furniture, utensils, glassware, china, pictures and… Internet Archive Speech: Platform Posture and Appearance 1949 · Short · 8 min · Subtitles Audiences are impressed by what they see as well as what they hear. Internet Archive Pipe of Plenty, The 1948 · Film · Subtitles SHOWS NEED FOR, AND CONSTRUCTION OF PIPELINE FROM BIG RAPIDS TO DETROIT, MICHIGAN. GOOD OUTDOOR CONSTRUCTION FOOTAGE, ALSO SHOTS OF GAS USERS. • 9:50:54:21-… Internet Archive National Hunger March 1931, The 1931 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive A Day Of Thanksgiving (2K scan) 1951 · Educational · Subtitles Cold War-era educational film. A family who cannot afford a turkey at Thanksgiving reviews what they have to be thankful about. Notable for its lack of focus… Internet Archive [Gould can 5165.1] 1928 · Film · Subtitles Bears-Trojan Gridiron Clash / big game at UC stadium / crowds / card stunts / Trojan band / final score 0-0 [Football game between University of California,… Internet Archive Permanent Change Of Station-Southern Europe B Film · Subtitles U.S. Army Production #705985 TVT-20653 U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center. Produced by U.S. Army Combat System Test Activity, OED, Images Tech.Br.… Internet Archive Under The Tread 1934 · Short · 17 min · Subtitles Very detailed film showing the intricacies of tire manufacture. Much hand processing is done, many, many steps. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Happy Birthday to Doris, 1935] 1935 · Home movie · Subtitles Starting title: "Happy Birthday to Doris, 1935"; good shots of wedding; couple departing; wedding; title "Mr. and Mrs. is the name...July 12, 1935"; VS family… Internet Archive We, The People (Willkie & McNary Know Their Farming) 1940 · Film · Subtitles • 19:34:58- 19:35:25 Interesting image of a politician (Wendell A. Willkie) in suit and tie walking along rows of corn with a farmer (in a straw hat). He… Internet Archive [Home Movies: X-Country, 1938, No. 3] 1938 · Home movie · Subtitles begins in Kodachrome (subdued color) flowers hillside Southern California landscape, shots not distinctive black swans, other birds in aviary Japanese tea… Internet Archive Prove It With A Magnifying Glass 1959 · Film · Subtitles A young boy uses a magnifying glass to prove to himself the validity of many scientific facts about which he has been told, and to discover many new facts… Internet Archive Basic Principles of Frequency Modulation Film · Subtitles Some good shots to be logged Title: "This film will not be shown to the public without permission of the War Department." CU AM/FM radio dial CU violinist in… Internet Archive Swat the Fly! [aka The House Fly] 2026 · Film · Subtitles With closeup footage of flies and simulations of their vision. Some good shots to be logged. Internet Archive Pirro and The Magnet 1948 · Film · Subtitles Description of science and the properties of magnetism featuring Pirro, a clown marionette. From the Pirro Series. no. 5 "The Magnet" Can: Atlanta Board of…