Watch A Visit to Peek Frean & Co.

Confection manufacturers Peek Frean and Company (founded in London in 1857) commissioned this film tour of their biscuit works operation, which follows the entire process from the steam-cleaning of the large vats, to the making and kneading of dough, all the way to the loading of biscuit tins onto horse-drawn wagons en route to market. It's a serious industrial undertaking, requiring a large number of male and female workers (all looking calm and dedicated in this promotional portrait), and a well-executed cinematic explication, beautifully lit with help from arc lights brought in for the shoot. A jaunty period piano score accompanies the silent footage. - Robert Avila