Socialization through driver education begins at a tender age in Phoenix. There's something about James Stewart's voice that's unmistakable. It's a small town American voice, and reflects small town American values. He is the chosen representative of the all-American sympathizers, and because he's interesting to watch and listen, he's endeared himself to a universal audience.
Functions of the human body explained with special emphasis on the senses of sight and hearing and the individual's responsibility to care for the house lived in. This film was part of Wonder series, made by the Moody Institute of Science, shares some similiarities with the Mr. Wizard television series - kids come by and visit the neighborhood scientist who is happy to demonstrate some science experiments. The difference, of course, is the obligatory Moody tip of the hat to the Supreme Being. On the surface, this 1958 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.
Frightening civil defense procedure film aimed at Cold War-era elementary school students. Explains steps to take in case of an atomic bomb alert or a bombing without warning at school, in the open or at home. Gives simple explanation of nuclear fusion.
Chilling yet effective. Sandy goes to the prom with her boyfriend, Bill. Bill has just bought a new car and is anxious to show Sandy what it can do. The two of them go speeding around town in his car, only to wind up crashing into a tree, which kills them both. Moral: Speed--and not going to a place you told your parents you were going to--kills.
1968 Johnson & Johnson commercial short film. In the early days of "sex ed", producers of feminine hygiene products were quick to produce educational films targeting girls that would prominently feature their products. In this one, a mom tells her young daughter all about the wonders of the Modess line of products, while trying to help her cope with the changes her body is undergoing. Later, her her teacher calls on her to help explain menstruation to the other girls in the class. All the boys that were excluded from these sessions may now finally discover what happened when the girls all went off to that "special class" together.
(1943) Private Snafu imagines the good times his family is having back home while he's stationed in the Arctic. Technical Fairy First Class shows that even his family is helping with the war effort - his dad building tanks, his mom planting a Victory Garden, Grandpa riveting battleships, and his girl joining the WAC's and even the family's horse is pitching in. This is one of 26 Private SNAFU ('Situation Normal, All Fouled Up) cartoons made by the US Army Signal Corps to educate and boost the morale the troops. Originally created by Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and Phil Eastman, most of the cartoons were produced by Warner Brothers Animation Studios - employing their animators, voice actors (primarily Mel Blanc) and Carl Stalling's music.
Sonny Bono appears onscreen to tell kids that marijuana is a "bummer" that turns you into a "weedhead" and will make you "trip out" (the fact that, based upon his performance, Sonny appears to have ingested unknown substances before the cameras started rolling tends to limit the film's crediblity somewhat). The film is actually a lot of fun! You will be disturbed, yet hysterical all the way through.
(1958) Teens Bud and Jack, eager to get some alcohol from the liquor store, ask the adult to buy it for them. Instead, the adult tells them a story of three teenagers who learn the hard way that "alcohol is a violent narcotic. In true Sid Davis form, the story ends with one innocent teen being killed and one who becomes an alcoholic bum, leaving the others to deal with guilt from their night of reckless abandon
Early atomic weapons testing. Actual footage of nuclear bomb testing, the scientists and military people involved in a the South Pacific and the American Southwest. Frighteningly slim and few precautions are taken with the lives of those people who jobs were to be present at the test sites. Film purports to prove that survival of nuclear attack is possible.
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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