The world's archives
3,841–3,888 of 18,145 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 Ones | Films for young children by name: nursery rhymes, lullabies, preschool. |
|---|---|
| Kids | Cartoons and animation, children's and family films, and educational films, unless they deal with war, propaganda, crime, horror or drugs, or carry racial caricature. |
| Tweens | Documentaries, science, nature and space, classic comedies, newsreels, commercials and lectures. |
| Teens | Everything else, including anything we cannot tell about; war, crime, horror and westerns go no lower. |
| Adult | Sexual themes (such as the old "sex hygiene" films), gore, surgery, slaughter, atrocity footage. |
Internet Archive
Dances of the Kwakiutl
A magnificent film featuring Pacific Northwest Indian dances of the ancient winter ceremonial handed down among the Kwakiutl families as their way of keeping…
Internet Archive
RCA 16mm Sound Projector, The
Skeletal Entry
Internet Archive
Crisis Ends. 3 Nations Rejoice At Cyprus Settlement, 1959/02/26
Greeks and Cypriots in London cheer Makarios who was leader of nationalists (partial newsreel).
Internet Archive
Castro 'Resigns' Mass Demonstrations Show His Power Secure, 1959/07/20
Castro announces his resignation as premier, but mass demonstrations result, made 4-hour broadcast attacking former president (partial newsreel).
Internet Archive
It's a Living (1957)
Dinky quits the cartoon business and gets a job as a spokes-duck for TV commercials. Watch on RetroFlix: https://retroflix.org/its-a-living-1957/
Internet Archive
Spooking About Africa (1957)
Casper is in an African jungle. He frightens a zebra at a watering hole. Wheezy the elephant has a terrible sneezing problem; he sneezes all the feathers off…
Internet Archive
Sunny Italy (1950)
In this "operetta," Oil Can Harry has Pearl Pureheart in his clutches at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, from which she is hanging by a thread. Watch on RetroFlix:…
Internet Archive
The Orphan Egg (1953)
As usual, little Dinky Duck gets no cooperation as he goes about his usual rounds doing good deeds. He finds an orphan egg, and, unable to get anyone else to…
Internet Archive
''Four Star Playhouse'' - The Devil To Pay
In this episode of the half-hour anthology series, Charles Boyer plays a businessman who agrees to work with the devil to manage business in Hell.
Internet Archive
Public Defender: Pauper's Gold
Season 1, Episode 11 Aired 20 May 1954. Actors: Richard Lupino; John Craven; Gloria Talbott; Paul Brinegar; Douglass Dumbrille; Hugh Sanders; Gene Coogan;…
Internet Archive
Physical education for primary grades.
Presents the methods, materials, and forms of physical education that encourage purposeful activity. Shows children's movement exploration, rhythmic…
Internet Archive
Climax
Climax TV Series
Internet Archive
Fright from Wrong (1956)
The Ghostly Trio give Casper the Friendly Ghost a pill to make him as mean as they are. Watch on RetroFlix: https://retroflix.org/fright-from-wrong-1956/
Internet Archive
Fuddy Duddy Buddy (1951)
Mr. Magoo has mistaken a walrus for a human friend and various sight gags are shown in typical Magoo fashion. Watch on RetroFlix:…
Internet Archive
Little Boy with a Big Horn (1953)
Ollie loves to play the tuba but his playing upsets all the people in town. He goes to the country and disrupts the milking habits of the cows. He finally…
Internet Archive
Magoo's Masquerade (1957)
The near-sighted Mr. Magoo is on his way to take a French ballet star to a ball, but he makes a wrong turn and ends up escorting an ostrich, a zoo fugitive,…
Internet Archive
Public Defender: Think No Evil
Season 1, Episode 24 Aired 16 Aug. 1954. Actors: Reed Hadley; Hugh Beaumont; Jimmy Lydon; Will Wright; Helen Ford; Marjorie Owens Runtime: 24:08
Internet Archive
"Mama" - T.R.'s Surprise Party (1954)
An episode of "Mama" from 1954 called "TR's Surprise Party".
Internet Archive
Gibson Story, The
The film highlights Atlanta as a vibrant city blending traditional charm with modern industry, focusing on the Gibson Manufacturing Company, a leading…
Internet Archive
Atom Blast, Yucca Flat, Nevada, 03/17/1953
Just sound & no picture for the first few minutes. Then A-bomb, etc footage. National Archives description: "LSs from News Nob of mountain ridge in early…
Internet Archive
'The Guiding Light' - March 4, 1953
An episode of "The Guiding Light" from March 4, 1953.
Internet Archive
Howdy Doody - 31 December 1952
An episode of the popular children's TV series. Includes original commercials for Wonder Bread.
Internet Archive
French Air Show, 1957/06/06
Western Europe's greatest air show since WWII in Paris" France with 14 nations; twin-jet Tupolev, French jet, 4 jets fly overhead (partial newsreel)
Internet Archive
''Off the Record'' - 18 October 1951
A primitive but charming local program which aired on DuMont's Washington D.C. affiliate. Two people lip-sync other people's records, in a show aired in a…
Internet Archive
''The Dinah Shore Show'' - 10 January 1952
An episode of Dinah Shore's early 1950s TV series, which aired in a 15-minute time-slot on NBC. In this episode, Dinah Shore sings songs including "It's a…
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 98915: St. Paul Winter Carnival, 1950-1953 and 1960
To come.
Internet Archive
''The Rosemary Clooney Show'' - Tony Curtis
IMDb gives a broadcast date, but this actually varied from city to city. Rosemary Clooney lip-syncs songs. Tony Curtis does some comedy.
Internet Archive
1952 - Roller Derby - the Chiefs vs the Jolters
Here is a roller derby game from 1952 featuring The Chiefs taking on The Jolters.
Internet Archive
''The George Gobel Show'' - 9 October 1954
The second episode of George Gobel's popular 1950s comedy series. This episode also features series regular Peggy King, plus special guest Angela Lansbury,…
Internet Archive
''The Arthur Godfrey Show'' - 28 October 1958
Mahalia Jackson is among the guests in this episode of the variety series. Even those who don't like Arthur Godfrey may enjoy this, as he is much peppier than…
Internet Archive
''My Hero'' - The Duel
An episode of "My Hero", a short-lived US sitcom which aired from 1952 to 1953.
Internet Archive
Fort Algiers (1953)
In northwest Africa, a tribal leader tries to stir up a rebellion against the ruling powers. Watch on RetroFlix: https://retroflix.org/fort-algiers-1953/
Internet Archive
Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
CONCERNS CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
Internet Archive
''The Rosemary Clooney Show'' - Johnny Mercer as guest
A 1956 episode of Rosemary Clooney's filmed variety series (unfortunately, this is an old tape transfer which doesn't reflect the original picture quality).…
Internet Archive
New Diplomacy. Ike And Khrushchev To Exchange Visits, 1959/08/03
Ike special press conference, reads joint text, that Khrushchev has accepted invitation to visit U.S., and Ike will visit USSR (partial newsreel).
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Reinders Collection, Reel 6]
Flower farm gardens Flooded street, cars driving slowly through puddles (good) river flooded orchard flowers planted in nursery field
Internet Archive
Howdy Doody - 10 July 1950
An episode of the popular children's TV series. This episode contains the original advertising for Three Musketeers chocolate bar. This episode features an…
Internet Archive
''Dagmar's Canteen'' - 13 April 1952
An episode of "Dagmar's Canteen", a NBC variety series. This was one of the earliest late-night programs, broadcast at 12:15AM on Sundays. This copy is…
Internet Archive
Christopher Crumpet (1953)
Through drawings, an illustrator tells his dog the story of a boy named Christopher Crumpet. Christopher can at will change himself from a little boy into a…
Internet Archive
Pill Peddlers (1952)
Heckle and Jeckle ruin the business of a body building instructor by peddling fitness pills that promise instant results. Watch on RetroFlix:…
Internet Archive
''Four Star Playhouse'' - Something Very Special
An episode of the popular 1950s half-hour anthology series. In this episode, Charles Boyer plays a man who returns to France to meet his 12-year-old daughter,…
Internet Archive
''The Buick Circus Hour'' - 7 October 1952
A very strange variety show! It's a variety show with a plot, not unheard of during the 1950s.
Internet Archive
[Utica Drop Forge Footage]
Description to be added from log sheet. Outtakes or raw material from industrial film.
Internet Archive
The Loretta Young Show: Goodbye, Goodbye
Season 4, Episode 9 Aired 21 Oct. 1956. Actors: John Newland; Judy Short; Linda Cunningham; Erik Nielsen Writers: Richard Morris; Elizabeth Taylor Runtime:…
Internet Archive
''The Music Hall'' - William Tabbert as guest
An episode of "Music Hall", a 1952 television series starring Patti Page, who sings several songs. This episode features William Tabbert, who sings a medley…
Internet Archive
''Range Rider'' - Indian War Party
An episode of the TV western series starring Jock (Jack) Mahoney and Dickie Jones. This episode aired 1953. In this episode, two crooked men try to rob some…
Internet Archive
Wonder Jet
Behind the jet engine of today lies a story of British pioneering. The development of the jet propulsion gas-turbine. jet engine. Air Commodore Sir Frank…
Internet Archive
Stage Door Magoo (1955)
Magoo has been enlisted as the male lead in Mrs. Sticknee's vanity production opera. On his way to the stage, he winds up in the rafters and causes havoc,…