Prelinger Archives

3,313–3,360 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 In Our Hands, Part 2: What We Have 1950 · Film · Subtitles Part 2 of 4 of "In Our Hands". From the How We Live in America Series. Anti-communist, pro-capitalist film. Titles on leader: 3730A American Foundation Long… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Wathen Collection: California 1946] 1940 · Home movie · Subtitles Amateur film of California travels. 06:36:09:24 VS Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California. 06:37:25:09 VS Biltmore Hotel and surrounding area in Los… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Zelinsky Collection: Roll 2] 1940 · Home movie · Subtitles Could be shot in public park (San Francisco?) Very young boy and girl playing on grass with stroller; parent occasionally visible. Little girl crawling on… Internet Archive Up Against the Wall Miss America 1968 · Newsreel · Subtitles To come. Internet Archive Silence! Short · Subtitles Advertisement telling patrons to be quiet and watch the movie, using very interesting superimpositions. Internet Archive Seeing America's Greatest Chinatown: San Francisco (Part I) 1912 · Film · Subtitles Chinatown, San Francisco, California: Captain Lewis was a licensed Chinatown guide; these films represent what was salvaged from a multi-reel film. Captain… Internet Archive In Our Hands, Part 4: How to Keep What We Have 1950 · Film · Subtitles Part 4 of 4 of "In Our Hands". From the How We Live in America Series. Anti-communist, pro-capitalist film. Contains stock footage from a number of other… Internet Archive Help Yourself 1939 · Short · 17 min · Subtitles A promotional film made for Pabst Brewing Company distributors. Internet Archive Boosting is a Business Film · Subtitles The film explores the life of a professional shoplifter, known as a "booster," who has honed his skills over years, making shoplifting a lucrative business. A… Internet Archive Outbreak of Salmonella Infection, An 1954 · Film · Subtitles Studies a simulated outbreak of food-borne illness caused by organisms of the salmonella group. Examines source and means of contamination, factors aiding the… Internet Archive Good-bye, Mr. Roach 1959 · Film · Subtitles Sponsored film showing home prevention strategies against cockroach infestation. Promotes the use of Velsicol Corporation's Chlordane both at home and in… Internet Archive Jet National Commercial Commercial · 1 min · Subtitles Commercial for Jet National advertising their sale on trips to Florida. Internet Archive [Home Movies: New York World's Fair] Home movie · 15 min · Subtitles 13:37:191939 World's Fair 38479 Pavilions of different countries 13:41:03 People in line for Perisphere Gardens on parade Internet Archive Cruising the Seven Seas: A Round-the-World Travelogue Film · Subtitles CU diagonal shot looking down on woman reading "World Cruises" booklet Leaving NY Harbor good shots of ship life and operations Radio operator VS ports of… Internet Archive Angry Boy 1951 · Film · Subtitles This simple and affecting story tells how Tommy Randall comes to understand the anger that has led him to steal money from his teacher's purse. It shows how… Internet Archive In Our Hands, Part 3: How to Lose What We Have 1950 · Film · Subtitles Part 3 of 4 of "In Our Hands". From the How We Live in America Series. Anti-communist, pro-capitalist film. Drama of an authoritarian (probably… Internet Archive Reminiscences of the Early Days of Medical School 1932 · Film · Subtitles Dr. William H. Welch, Professor of Pathology at The John Hopkins University, recounts his career in medical sciences and discoveries and developments in the… Internet Archive Newport Cigarette Commercial #1 Commercial · 1 min · Subtitles Internet Archive Whenever You Eat 1949 · Educational · Subtitles "Points out the importance of physical well-being and its relationship to good living habits and proper diet. Presents an opportunity to see good food… Internet Archive Florida 1975 1975 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive [Gould can 5423.1] 1914 · Film · Subtitles "Street scene on the Barbary Coast" (Kearny street, San Francisco, California]. Pan of street; views of "The So Different"; "Diana" and "Thalia" dance halls;… Internet Archive Oldsmobile Presents the "Sixty" B-44 (1942 Oldsmobile Playlets) 1941 · Film · Subtitles Theatrical screen ad for one of the last pre-World War II automobiles. 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 Parade of the Past 1960 · Film · Subtitles "8th Biennial Reno Run" of antique automobiles to Harrah's in Reno, Nevada, featuring people dressed in period costumes and a few celebrities. A&B silent pix… Internet Archive [Mail for Soldiers] 1950 · Film · Subtitles 36,000 sacks of mail destined for GI's overseas VS sacks of mail, good stockshots In warehouse, loaded off truck, on shelves, marked Japan, Korea, Guam Sacks… Internet Archive [Home Movies: North Carolina, Washington D.C., Rhode Island, Niagara Falls] 1956 · Home movie · Subtitles punched holes in film from lab at head / title: "Carolina Moon" / First-quarter Moon / Smoky Mountains / Plants and flowers / Grandfather Mountain Mile-High… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Nevada, Oregon, Washington, California] 1959 · Home movie · Subtitles Mission-style motel; daytime streetscapes of Reno, Nevada with Club Prima Donna, the Horseshoe Club, etc. (good); flowery landscapes; pan over mountaintops in… Internet Archive Soundie - Our Teacher 1943 · Short · 2 min · Subtitles Features Henny Youngman Internet Archive Flowers of Hate Film · Subtitles A short, silent narrative film about two suitors eager to please the same girl by climbing Mt Rainer to gather flowers. Internet Archive Date Etiquette 1952 · Film · Subtitles From Educational Film Guide, 1953: "The story of a date — the ways of asking and accepting date invitations, meeting the girl's patents, going to the date,… Internet Archive Selling Facts About Homart Water Conditioning Equipment, The 1950 · Film · Subtitles Shots to be logged. Film on Homart water softeners and conditioners, sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. Some good animation showing water filtering at… Internet Archive [098172: Home movie: Cruise LA to Acapulco, reel 2 1966] 1966 · Home movie 14 min., color: Continues from 098193: shipboard and coastal small town scenes in Mexico, from an American tourist perspective. Architecture, murals, Mexico… Internet Archive Pennsylvania Fish Commission 1953 · Short · 12 min · Subtitles Management of trout fishing in Pennsylvania. Internet Archive Homes for Veterans (Part II) 1946 · Short · 2 min · Subtitles Promotes solutions to post-World War II housing crisis. Internet Archive [Gould can 5360.1: San Francisco Garibaldi Italian Picnic] 1915 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco - Garibaldi Italian Picnic / crowds on the street / crowds in park / CU participants / pan of crowds / parade / officials on reviewing stand /… Internet Archive Best Made Plans, The 1956 · Film · Subtitles Uses the setting of a young child's birthday party to show how Saran Wrap can be used both for food preservation in the refrigerator and freezer and as an… Internet Archive Soundie - Zig Me Baby with a Gentle Zag 1941 · Short · 2 min · Subtitles features... Gai Moran, Danny Hocktor Internet Archive [Dead Fair] 1940 · Film · Subtitles DEAD FAIR: Treasure Island, in San Francisco Bay, shown after the closure of the World's Fair (Golden Gate International Exposition) Internet Archive Ulcer at Work 1959 · Film · Subtitles Excellent noir-type film about pressures facing a white-collar worker whose ulcer drives him to psychological extremes. "Ulcer at Work" portrays the struggles… Internet Archive Home Movie: Oregon: 003381 Home movie A Boy Scout camping trip to Camp Meriwether. note on can: "shot by Carl Moline More Camp Meriwether" Internet Archive Member Of The Family 1954 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Internet Archive Fun of Making Friends, The 1950 · Short · 9 min · Subtitles Discusses the values of friendships and how to make and keep friends. Internet Archive Home Movies: Wathen Collection: Southern United States (1947) 1947 · Home movie · Subtitles "1947 Heading South April to June 6500 Miles." Moravian Graveyard; houses and trees, Charleston, Old Slave mart (slave market), swamp Internet Archive Land Is Rich, The 1966 · Film · Subtitles On the struggle of California agricultural workers to gain union recognition through the United Farm Workers. Internet Archive Lima 1944 · Film · Subtitles Shows the beauties of the 'city of kings,' the historical background and buildings, and the modern life of the city. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Golden Gate International Exposition] 1939 · Home movie · Subtitles To be logged. Home movies shot at Golden Gate International Exposition, San Francisco, 1939-40. ends with nice shot of woman approaching camera, walking down… Internet Archive The Memory Chain Educational · Subtitles A film describing strategies of association for improving one's memory. No credits shown on film. Not listed in educational film guides for the period. Can… Internet Archive Labatts Beer Commercial Commercial · 1 min · Subtitles