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THE BIRTH OF THE ROBOT

Rights Information
Year
1936
Reference
F9625
Media type
Moving image

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Rights Information
Year
1936
Reference
F9625
Media type
Moving image

This content is for private viewing only. The material may not always be available for supply.
Click for more information on rights and requesting.

Place of production
United Kingdom
Duration
0:06:27
Production company
HUMPHREY JENNINGS, len lye
Credits
Director: Len Lye
Producer: Humphrey Jennings
Colour Director: Humphrey Jennings
Script: C H David
Camera: Alex Strasser
Sound Editor: Jack Ellitt
Art Direction: John Banting
Art Direction: Allen Fanner
Distributor: Shell-Mex
Distributor: BP Ltd

An intrepid motorist sets across the desert in his new car but the car is overcome by a sandstorm. The goddess Venus takes pity on them and the notes of her harp turn into drops of oil which magically transform the skeletal remains of the motorist into the famous Shell Robot lubricant symbol.
Puppets and models are brought to life by stop-frame animation, combined with colourful backgrounds and visual effects. An advertisement for Shell Motor Oil.
First screening was by the London Film Society 26 April 1936.