Summary: Second World War British Ministry of Information newsreel trailer warning people not to waste coal
Description: The film opens with the sound of breaking glass, a shout of "stop thief" and a view of stage set of a broken shop window "M GLITTER precious stones and rare gems". The film cuts to the interior of a court with a prosecutor addressing the court with a silhouette of the accused, a man with his head bowed, visible behind him. The prosecutor states "this precious stone for which men toil and sweat in the depths of the earth, risking health, limb and life - he took it M'lord and would have wasted it for his own comfort and pleasure". The judge then addresses the accused "there are misdemeanours which in wartime become crimes against the people and the state.... 45 million citizens skimp and save to preserve this precious gem, their heritage, their wealth and their strength. They will not have it stolen from under their very eyes" The judge continues, talking directly to the audience "Fortunately in this case, the missing gems has been recovered" and asks his clerk for the gem to be brought up for all to see. A large lump of coal is then placed before the judge. "Yes, a piece of coal - don't forget its other name, Black Diamonds". The film ends with a brief shot of a train and the verbal appeal "Coal is ammunition of war - do not waste it"
Production Details: Ministry of Fuel and Power (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Verity (Production company)
Annakin, Ken (Production individual)
