Richard Massingham employed short films littered with comedy to teach the world such basic messages as using a handkerchief when sneezing.

As a tribute to the filmmaker, the Wexner Center for the Arts will show “How to Be Eccentric: The Films of Richard Massingham” Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Film and Video Theater.

The film is a collection of 15 black and white short films ranging in length from one to 20 minutes.

The collection has been shown all over North America, said Dave Fillipi of the Wexner Center.

“I saw three of the films at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2002,” said Fillipi. “I thought they were fantastic. We were told if we were interested in showing the films, we should contact the British Film Institute because they were putting together a tour package.”

Upon becoming aware of the opportunity the Wexner Center made arrangements for the Massingham film display.

“The films are perfect for the Wexner Center because we like to bring in unknown talent,” Fillipi said.

The short films give comical instructions on everyday activities.

In “Coughs and Sneezes,” Massingham uses a narrator to explain to the naive character, played by Massingham himself, the basics of blowing one’s nose. The instructional film is reminiscent of old cartoons. Other informative shorts include “Pedestrian Crossing” and “30 Miles an Hour.”

The films were also used during wartime as trailers.

One example is “The Five Inch Bather.” This short film was his first wartime trailer, and was made in 1942. It showed the need for conserving water during the war.

Massingham’s approach to the situation helped to encourage conservation by using humor. In the film, Massingham is shown bathing in five inches of water with a ruler drawn on his foot to ensure accuracy.

The collection includes a few longer length films as well. The first of the collection is “Tell Me If It Hurts.” This film tells the story of a trip to the dentist office after indulging in sweets and drinks at a restaurant.

Massingham did not use a lot of dialogue during this film. Instead, he told the story through the use of interesting camera shots and facial expressions of the actors. The use of music in the beginning of the film was perfectly timed with the action that was being performed. The actors appeared to be performing choreographed acts while eating and drinking in the restaurant.

Massingham was born in 1898. He studied medicine, and eventually became senior medical officer at the London Fever Hospital.

Massingham had no formal training in film, and made his first films in his spare time while working at the hospital. Until the 1930s when Massingham quit his job decided to make films full time.

Massingham made more than 100 films during his career, but not one of them ever became a full-length feature film. He excelled in the art of short films.

By the 1950s, Massingham’s popularity began to die out, though not before he was able to add comedy and insight to the world of film.