Promise of Barty O’Brien, The Director: George Freedland U.S.A.| 1951. Black and white. 50 min. Book cinema tickets A curious mix of rural melodrama, propaganda and promotional film, this was produced by the Marshall Aid Programme for the ESB. It tells of Barty, a farmer’s son who wants to better himself by studying electrical engineering. His father’s disapproval leads him to explore emigration to America and the ensuing family altercation provides many opportunities for the promotion of both the Marshall Aid Programme and the ESB’s electrification scheme, initiated in 1946. We will also be showing the short documentary The Marshall Plan at Work, made in 1950. Director: George Freedland U.S.A.| 1951. Black and white. 50 min.