Asthma and Your Child

This 1967 NFU instructional film demonstrates breathing exercises developed by Bernice ‘Bunny’ Thompson, to help children suffering from asthma and bronchitis. The film was based on the pioneering physiotherapist's 1963 book of the same name. Director Frank Chilton won renown for his documentaries dealing with the health and welfare needs of children. Asthma and Your Child was commissioned by the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, and was an early example of a privately-funded socially-useful film. The animation of respiratory processes is by Morrow Productions.

So you see it's a vicious circle. Now we're going to break the circle of troubles, and the first thing we must do is to teach Kay how to control her breathlessness. We'll do this by teaching her how to breath using her diaphragm, and how to relax her upper chest.

– Bernice Thompson explains the plan to Kay and her mother

Key Cast & Crew

Bernard Kearns

Narrator

David Dry

Camera

Frank Chilton

Writer, Editor, Director

Oxley Hughan

Producer

Geoffrey Scott

Producer

Bob Morrow

Animator