During the Second World War, Halas & Batchelor produced some 70 films
    for various Governmental departments. Most were aimed at the general
    population, or the average Tommy in the field, giving practical advice,
    encouraging the War Effort, and keeping the home fires burning. But
    the "Abu" films were part of a different exercise altogether. They were
    antifascist propaganda films, commissioned by the Ministry of Information,
    and intended specifically for Middle Eastern and Arabian audiences,
    warning them of the dangers that lurked in those desert dunes....

    In the films, Abu the Arab boy and his donkey are repeatedly menaced by a
    cobra-like Hitler and a frog-shaped Mussolini. It wasn't subtle, but like all the
    Halas & Batchelor productions for the War Effort, these were handsomely staged
    and directed. They conveyed their message with absoloute clarity, and that
    image of the Hitler snake, looming over little Abu (from "Abu's Poisoned Well")
    is a classic propaganda snapshot.

    This was purely an overseas exercise, and although Abu's encounters were
    conceived and produced in Britain, the films never actually screened in British
    cinemas.

    Halas & Batchelor maintained close ties with the Government after the War,
    and were commissioned to produce a variety of films dealing with post-war
    reconstruction. Most notably, they brought us the Charley films...

    • The "Abu" films were sometimes referred to as the "Khahil" series.
       Specifically, "Abu Builds a Dam" is also known as "Khahil builds
       a Reservoir".
 
 

     The Abu films

     Abu's Dungeon
     Abu's Poisoned Well
     Abu's Harvest
     Abu Builds a Dam

 

      Halas & Batchelor Cartoon Films

      directors:       John Halas, Joy Batchelor
      producers:     John Halas, Joy Batchelor
      writer:            Alexander Mackendrick
      music:          Matyas Seiber
      animation:    Vera Linnecar , Wally Crook,
                        Kathleen Houston

 

      On the web


       Halas & Batchelor
       The official site with info on their magnificent catalogue, details of the
       studio history, awards, availability and clips to view too...
   
      Animation Research Centre
       The Surrey-based centre have an extensive Halas & Batchelor collection,
       and they present a wealth of information for us here...