Television Fillers that can viewed on line are highlighted in red This section charts the progress of the production of Television Fillers made during the period 1980 to 1989. Because records are incomplete this is not a complete account of all the films that were made. If anyone has more information about productions please let us know though the our email address. 1980 saw the production of 15 television fillers Blood Donors: Glenda and Ernie reached out to major television personalities in the shape of Glenda Jackson and Ernie Wise for a filler promoting the idea of donating blood. Using their lovely humour the pair demonstrated that there was nothing to fear in the process. Produced for the Department of Health The next two films from the Department of Trade and Industry were about aspects of dangers at sea. Navigation Lights reminded mariners of the need to maintain navigation lights. An animation filler it publicised the need for all boats to display lights at night, regardless of their size. It uses the rhyme "The Owl and the Pussycat" and pictures them running into trouble when their boat cannot be seen in the dark. Airbeds warned of the dangers of using air beds at the seaside. An animation filler. A father tells his son of the dangers of using an airbed on the sea. He meanwhile falls victim to all the things he is talking about and ends up carried away by the wind and tide. Directed by Richard Taylor.
The Department of Transport requested two more films about the safety of children on or near roads.
Car Wash reminded parents of the variety of the many possible hazards that traffic posed for children. A father washes his car with his young son, repeatedly warning him to stay off the road. Images of a computer are intercut, with statistics on the number of fatalities and injuries among pedestrian children under five. Later the boy's mother asks him to let his father know that the dinner is ready. The boy shouts across the road to his father, who cannot hear because of a neighbour's engine. The boy moves to cross the road, and is hit by a car. The voiceover adds "plus one" to the statistics and the filler ends on a frozen image of the young boy from earlier in the sequence. Directed by John Krish. Charlie’s Tea Party was part of Green Cross Code. On the way to the chimp's tea party Bob Carolgees and Charlie the monkey demonstrate how to use the Green Cross Code.
Frozen Ponds was about the dangers of frozen ponds. Aimed at mother’s and children.An animationfiller featuring the voice of a man who is part of the the emergency services reporting back to his boss on a child that they recovered from a frozen pond. How he came to be there as his mother didn't think it would be dangerous. Images show the ambulance as a stretcher is put onboard Producer Janice Kay Directed by Richard Taylor produced for the Department of the Environment . Children and Strangers: Mr Punch reminded children of the dangers of talking to strangers. Children watch a Punch and Judy show. The film was part of a campaign to remind parents of their responsibility to inform children of the dangers of talking to or going off with strangers especially in a car. Produced for the Home Office Mental Health Nurses- Shoelaces was a recruitment filler to attract nurses to mental health work with disabled children. A male nurse helps a young boy who is struggling to tie the shoelaces of his sports trainers. Produced for the Department of Health
Accidents Fork Lift Trucks was one of a group of four television fillers about prevention of accidents. The others were accidents involving the use of ladders, gas fires and escalators. Produced for the Health and Safety Executive 1981
only three television fillers were produced during the year. It is not clear why there were so few.
Green Cross Code – Droid a further road safety filler in this series for the Department of Transport
The Home Office requested two films Suspicious Callers- Census 1981 reminded the public of the need to check the identities of those taking the census.It was a warning to householders to check the credentials of anyone who comes to the house.
Upstairs Fire Escape was an animation filler offering advice on what to do in the event of a fire when you are trapped upstairs. Directed by Bob Godfrey NFA ID N-476331 1982 production revived to some extent with requests for eight television fillers
Green Cross Code- Stop at Kerbthe Green Cross Droid spots danger and assists two youngsters safely across the road. Another film in this series for the Department of Transport
Space Invader (click here to view from BFI) used computer graphics similar to the computer game 'Space Invaders' to warn drivers to keep their distance from the vehicle ahead. N-109285 Dying for a Smoke was part of a campaign against smoking, The story of a young addicted smoker was aimed at persuading people not to begin smoking. Cartoon showing Old Nick (o'tine) enticing small children to smoke but is foiled by a doctor who explains what nicotine can do to a person. Produced by Halas and Batchelorand directed by John Halas for the Department of Health
Fire Prevention-House That Jack Built: warning of fire hazards in the home. An animation filler. Scenes of a burning house and a family photograph being engulfed by flames. Tagline CLOSE ALL DOORS .Produced for the Home Office
Stupid Git. John Altman. no further information
Fostering Help was a call for people to foster children
1983 The year again saw a low level production of eight films .
Cyclists Turning Right (click here to view from BFI) provided advice to young cyclists about the correct way to turn right. The filler stressed the importance of clear signalling and correct positioning for cyclists when turning right across oncoming traffic. Features two boys on BMX bikes. A road safety film aimed at young cyclists. Produced for the Department of Transport
Green Cross Code - Close to the Edge a child road safety awareness filler encouraging the use of the Green Cross code
Absent Parents was about the dangers of leaving young children alone. In this in a situation where there is open water such as lakes or even garden ponds. Warning parents never to leave young children unsupervised near water. Tagline: 'Water Can Kill'.Produced for Department of the Environment.
Fostering Leeand Fostering Smile. were two fillers about the need for people to come forward to become foster parents. Made for the Department of Health
Rabies Advice one of a series of fillers earning about the dangers of this disease
Green Cross Code - Close to the Edge child safety filler about the dangers of standing too close to the edge of a pavement. Film Division Producer Judith Davison. 1984 the production of only six films continued the low level of output.
Adoptionwas one of the series of recruiting films to attract foster parents. An animation film that asks the audience to imagine the life of a child with special needs without parents, and their need for families to adopt them or the lives they face in care.Tagline "Ask your local council about adoption"Directed by Richard Taylor for Department of Health.
Fostering and Adoption (click here to view) was another appeal for people to foster or adopt the many children needing care. Producer Richard Smith The next two films were produced in house. This method of production was very gradually being adopted
Blood Donors-Bags (click here to view) featured Rowan Atkinson speaking severely to a bag of blood. Animation filler with play on the "Ten Green Bottles" children's song. Tagline: "Please give blood. Ring the Blood Transfusion Service." Produced in house directed by Richard Smith White Lines(click here to view) a filler with advice on the dangers of drug abuse. Produced in house and directed by Richard Smith
Escalator Safety provided advice to parents of very young children when using escalators It advised parents to consider their child's safety on escalators by encouraging three basic principles: 'stand still, stand steady and stand clear'. Produced for theDepartment of Trade and Industry.
1985 The records provide evidence of only two television fillers produced during this year
Child Molestation provided a warning to children about always saying “no” to strangers offering them lifts or gifts of sweets. The filler advises children to always say “no” when a stranger tries to take them somewhere or offer them something and to tell an adult they trust if they are approached. A young girl advises a boy to tell the teacher when a man in his neighbourhood invites him to see some rabbits. Produced for the Home Office.
Blood From a Stone (click here to view) an appeal for blood donors featuring Rowan Atkinson talking to a stone. Produced by Richard Smith
1986 saw the production of two television fillers
Anti smoking – Baby part of campaign to discourage smoking and the dangers to the unborn baby. This anti smoking filler imagines a futuristic world where babies are kept in a smoke filled environment and where children are ridiculed if they express concerns about smoking. Produced for the Department of Health Fireworks- Flash one of the annual series of television fillers about the dangers of fireworks. Produced in house and directed by Film Division staff director Janice Kay for the Home Office 1987 Only one television filler produced
Dream a crime prevention filler: no further information
1988 sawthree television fillers produced.
Fostering: Fairground the latest in a continuing series to recruit Foster Parents.
Conservation (click here to view) was a public relations film for the Army about the work that was undertaken to conserve wild life in the land that it owned for battle training purposes.Produced in house Directed by Janice Kay.
Warriors was also an Army Public relations filler this one was about the new all purpose vehicle – Warrior. Directed by Janice Kay.
1989: So far as can be ascertained no television fillers were released that year.
Quite why the production of Television fillers feel away as described is something of a mystery. Memory does not recall any diminution of the use of these films by the television companies. This completes the account of Television Fillers made between 1980 and 1989. It is almost certainly an incomplete account. If anyone has any information about other television fillers that were produced please write in through "Contact Us".