Tilly the Tomboy Visits the Poor (1910)

Produced by British film pioneer Cecil Hepworth, around 20 of the popular series of 'Tilly' films were made between 1910 and 1915. Surviving episodes are brimming with a sense of anarchic fun as they follow the adventures of naughty schoolgirls Tilly and Sally, played by Chrissie White and Alma Taylor, who went on to become major stars of '20s British cinema.

'Tilly, the Tomboy...' is available to view here in a version re-edited to approximate the original cut (surviving archive materials were out of sequence). The sheer energy and silliness of this mischievous pair is infectious, further proof - if it were needed - of women's contribution to the tradition of slapstick in British comedy. (Simon McCallum)

(This is a higher-quality version of a video first published on YouTube in April 2008.)

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• BFI National Archive
• silent
• comedy
• women
• Edwardian

[patsyd80]

THEY JUST SPIN THAT POOR ILL FELLOW AROUND IN THE BED AND REALLY UP SET HIM. NOW THATS JUST NOT FUNNY. POOR MAN.

[NHPollon]

At the start i thought it was a porn

[terryvision42]

Film comedy from one hundred and one years ago and now anyone in the world can watch it on the Internet.What's going to happen in the next in the next one hundred and one years?

[incongra]

they deserve a jolly good spanking

[freethoughtmusic]

Cool, especially the van. Kids don't try this at home.

[nirvgardengod]

naughty naughty

[ThorneAstor]

One of my favorite silent films!