Ray Harryhausen presents this lovely tale in three dimensional animation ( claymation )
1973 Proto-claymation goes awry with talking teeth and a demonic tooth decay character. A food group hoe-down highlights the importance of good nutrition to help maintain healthy teeth.
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The Butcher, The Baker and The Ice Cream Maker
A 50s animated sales pitch for prepackaged ice cream cartons for grocers, druggists, etc. The story involves the butcher and baker looking for a third person to help them sing at the nursery school fair. This is a great example of the soft sell approach that was becoming more common and it is coupled with some decent animation. Very recommended.
The complete reproduction cycle of the blue acara fish is pictured. Included are the processes of preparing the nest, egg laying, fertilization, care during incubation, nursery construction, transporting hatchlings to nurseries and guarding the young. Close family relationship of the blue acara is emphasized. On the surface, this 1957 film may seem like an average documentary film, but like most of films from the Moody Institute of Science, there is an ulterior motive. While revealing the complexity of nature, their films would end with Moon saying that this complexity was part of God's plan rather than evolution. Moody Institute of Science films were marketed to churches and also to public schools where today even the mention of the word "God" sparks a conflagration of protests and court cases.
This 1949 film uses a childs curiosity about animals to convey its messages. Young Helen learns that she cleans herself just like her cat Kitty does. Unfortunately, Helen doesnt pick up on the fact the Kitty doesnt like to be groped by a room full of grimy school children. Films featuring animals and young children are usually as torturous to watch, as they were to make.
This 1963 film prepares elementary school kids for the harsh lessons of junior high: You will no longer be the smartest or best athlete. Your carefree days of the teacher holding your hand are over. Your friends will leave you to befriend more interesting kids. You can be an individual by following the interests and clothing styles of the popular people. And finally, you are responsible for remembering your own gym locker combination. I found this film incredibly packed with guilt inducers and items to put even more pressure on the little tykes after they break free from Elementary school.
(Mid 70s) The disembodied voice shows up a lively party and manages to make everybody feel bad about drinking by having them play the "National Drinking Game" - a quiz to help determine if a person is an alcoholic. NOTE - This clip has a complete film countdown along with a "china girl" (not a girl of Chinese origin, but a clip of an attractive girl used by film processors to ensure that colors - such as skin tones - are being accurately duplicated).
(1969) The American Social Health Association was always experimenting with new ways to educate the public about venereal disease. They helped produce the first VD education film, "Fit to Fight", in 1918 in order to educate soldiers being shipped abroad to fight in the first World War. Although this popular TV public service announcement informs the public that everybody is susceptible to venereal disease, strangely, it also seems to imply that having VD will make you successful, attractive and happy. Also, the song is quite infectious...
LSD: Insight or Insanity (1967) was a short film that condemned the use of LSD and "acid". What's makes this short different than the others was the vocal narration from has been actor Sal Mineo. After appearing in some high prolific productions, Mr. Mineo has all but disappeared from the spotlight. But he not only provides a narration for this film, but he gives the viewers an added bonus. He performs the vocals of the song that plays during the end credits. What's even funnier is the fact that he comes off sounding like a curmudgeon. Talking down to the people in the movie and the youth in general. I would be bitter too if I went from REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE to narrating an anti-drug short. Sal would have one last shot in the big leagues when he played in ESCAPE FROM PLANET OF THE APES.
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