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An animation film using the convention of a car as an emblem for the national
economy attended to by the garage of MacDonald and Co. (the Labour Party), which
offers a mixture of dole, foreign dumping and increased taxes. The owner of the
car, John Bull, also visits Lloyd and Co. (the Liberal Party) garage and
receives similar treatment. The car finally arrives at Baldwin's Prosperity
garage (the Conservative Party) where all is put right.
The sentiments and execution of this propaganda film would not look out of
place in today's propaganda. The film was produced by the Conservative and
Unionist Film Association and is similar to The Socialist Car of State (1929),
made after the 1929 election which Labour won. In that film the 'car of state' is
driven by Stanley Baldwin, who manages to negotiate various obstacles such as
the General Strike. However, after 1929, the car collapses under the burden of
socialism imposed by the Labour government. Baldwin wished to maintain the
pressure on the minority Labour government and the 1931 film follows this
approach, again using the motoring theme. The 1931 car is only fixed under
Conservative policies of empire unity, safeguarding, and reduced taxes. The
Labour government eventually collapsed in August 1931, to be replaced by a
national government, a government that was supported by the Conservative and
Unionist Film Association in its series Britain Under National Government
(1931-35).
Simon Baker
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Complete film (9:15)
