Ephemeral films are non-fiction films usually made for educational, industrial, or promotional purposes. Ephemeral film, as defined by film archivist Rick Prelinger, is film made for a specific purpose other than as a work of art: the films were designed to serve a specific pragmatic purpose.
A humorous spot dispelling the myth that alcohol's effects can be reduced by eating food. This PSA from the late 1960's-early 1970's was actually part of a longer film entitled "Drink, Drive, Rationalize." It was made in the mid 1960's by AAA to try to warn their members against drinking and driving. Strangely enough, it's one of the more saner scenarios of the film. Weird is a good way to describe this one. I think this is one of those cases where the writers thought "Just get the message across, don't care about how." Bad acting from the actors doesn't help either.
Amazing 1960 work of melodrama for PTAs and school boards, this film tells the story of a school fire, the panic that developed and the loss of life that occurred. Discusses the obligation of teachers, school administrators and parents to provide fireproof buildings and all other safety devices necessary to prevent fires.
Presents the origin of the banjo, the development of southern folk music and its influence upon Americans. Pete Seeger plays his banjo and narrates the story from 1947.
In a departure from Sid Davis' traditional "kids in peril" scenarios, this 1952 film introduces us to Skipper - a bigoted dog who doesnt like the "funny looking' diverse neighborhood kids that his owner is playing with. Skipper also has problems with the neighborhood dogs, but learns his lesson when he accidentally gets covered in poster paint. Even though this film is awkward and the message is forced, it is one of the first made for young children that addresses the problems of racial intolerance.
Santa magically creates a Punch and Judy puppet show to the delight of children at a Christmas party. WARNING! Parents may wish to watch this before exposing innocent eyes to the comic brutality of a Punch and Judy puppet show from the late 1940s - including some very non-PC scenes. The value of this film is that it is a record of a performance by George Prentice whose Punch and Judy show achieved great popularity in Variety during the 1930's. The action is slick, fast and furious and incorporates several animal characters made by the performer. This slapstick style is not everyone's cup of tea and the children appear to have been filmed at a different time, but the delicacy of manipulation, combined with its speed, make this a must for connoisseurs of Punch and Judy.
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.
Shows how a gold-mantled ground squirrel at Crater Lake National Park has learned to solve problems connected with getting food. Illustrates how an animal can learn to find food that is hidden from view or out of reach.
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.
Our animated hero questions his sanity after blowing his top and driving his car into a police station. This should be shown more often. it's simple, honest, and to tell you the truth, his friend george is really cool. if only everyone has a friend like him.
1961 Introduction to the basic scientific principles of using a manned space platform in helping explore the universe. Incredible film aimed at 4th-6th graders that covers the possiblities of space stations. The space race was in high gear in 1961, and so was likely a hot topic of discussion in the schools. Pretty cool movie, but the physics is very bad. It is obvious that no real scientist reviewed the script.
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.
"Full and complete" story of meat from the ranches and farms of America to the dinner table. Talks about how protein from meat is important to human body. Also about the entire meat process - from livestock ranchers to transportation to stockyards to meatpacking to your grocery store. Missing the slaughterhouse though. Then we see a butcher explaining about how to get four meals out of one shank of ham.
A1960 film about genetics and heredity in man, various traits are shown and the methods by which they are transmitted is explained. This film is a good tool to introduce genetics to anyone who has trouble understanding the concept. Great strides have been made in genetic science since this film was made, but it is still informative and useful.
(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...
This 1958 film is the story of what science has learned about the human senses and how they function. Includes documentary sequences. This is an awesome film. It has a creative and intelligent way of presenting the information. The little man inside my brain liked it too. Be prepared for many wonderful treats including both animation as well as brilliant documentary. Also, lots of cool retro film equipment.
1952 Detonation of the hydrogen bomb. This film was featured - minimally edited, and with the same old music - in Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (Peter Kuran's exquisite 1995 documentary).
Shows how different animals acquire food. On the surface, this 1956 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.
Bill Duncan gets a Health Department citation for having a rusted-out garbage can. He talks to his buddy at the Health Department and learns that his neighborhood is filled with rats, disease carrying mosquitoes and neighbors who are eager to blame these problems on each other. These were common problems in suburbs where the health departments didnÂt always have the resources to intervene.
(1953) The makers of Soapy the Germ Fighter are back to teach other things to keep us healthy. Young Jim and Judy learn about proper eating, keeping clean, proper rest and good toilet habits. The enthusiastic narrator reminds us not to be bashful or silly about bathroom habits and that we should go whenever we feel like it.
Comments