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.
Tom gets in trouble when his mother finds a joint in his room. Instead of punishing Tom, his father challenges him to learn more about marijuanas evil effects on society. Nobody gets killed in this Sid Davis film, yet Tom still learns a harsh lesson after being mugged by druggies and learning that his best friend sells pot to school children. Great anti pot propoganda film chock full of hypocritical comparisions between marijuana and alcohol.
Shows what the magic of fragrance can do for every woman. Gives her added confidence, a heightened personality and a uniqueness that is all her own. Tells where exotic scents come from and offers suggestions on the selection and application of various perfumes and colognes. Heaven forbid if this woman cuts a fart, the smell would make her swoon!
The classic fable is told with live trained bears and a cloyingly sweet young girl. This 1958 adaption of the tale is quite unique of course, because you¡¯ve got 3 trained live bears.. well. 4 if you include the creature playing Goldilocks. I tell ya, not too sure where they picked up these 2 kids, one playing the narrator, the other playing Goldilocks from, but they¡¯re just too gosh-darnit sweet for their own good. Loved watching the bears though. They're quite well trained here (even though you can see the string the trainer is using to pull them in some shots).
(1959) Like many other Centron venereal disease films, Innocent Party focuses on the morality and emotions associated with venereal disease rather than the medical aspects. The actual mechanics of syphilis transmission are only briefly mentioned let alone prevention via condom use, yet the shame and anguish are clear for all to see. This film echoes the common theme found in many venereal disease films - that premarital sex leads to VD.
Made in 1950 for home economics class, this is a primer on sensible food shopping. We learn to read canned food labels and get a glimpse at the mysterious grading system for various foods (and may understand why food grades are no longer advertised unless they are Grade A). Many of this films messages are still poignant today, especially since supermarkets are designed to encourage impulse buying. I enjoy watching these films. The prices for groceries back then would put Walmart to shame. It's a great flick for nostalgia value. Notice how the real message is to never send a husband to do the shopping without giving him a list.
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.
(1944) Private Snafu learns about the hazards of enemy booby traps the hard way. 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.
(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.
A 1946 animated film, in humorous style, which makes the point that dissimilarities between people are not basic but result from superficial environmental influences. Based on the pamphlet 'RACES OF MANKIND' by Ruth Benedict and Gene Weltfish. The slogan "brotherhood" would later be changed to "solidarity", at least in Europe - thus including women.
A 1951 cautionary film for parents and teachers that dramatizes actual situations in which youngsters meet both positive and negative attitudes toward their questions. Suggests effects on their personalities of each type of attitude.
Anita Bryant (famous Florida orange juice and anti-gay spokeswoman) narrates this 1979 film that tries to simplify its drug abuse message with an analogy of kids putting together a contraption out of Lego blocks. Although the metaphors often don't make sense, the visual impact of the film is stunning and could easily be quite popular with individuals consuming illicit drugs. Also, like most anti-drug films, this could be a tempting introduction to drugs for some youths yearning to escape their "boring" lives or to rebel against their parents. enjoyable, but really, really strange.
This 1954 film was made for teachers as a reminder that learning disabilities and less-than-ideal home environments can affect students' performance and behavior. While this film was supposed to foster compassion for these children, some scenarios are so troubling and overdramatic that they could invoke a teacher's pity, thus allowing troubled students to pass onto the next grade without learning anything. However, since this is only the set up, defining the problem, it is unclear what the purposed solution for teachers is.
The spider is shown to be an engineer of great skill and versatility. There are an estimated 100,000 species of spiders. In this study four typical species are considered--the orb weaver, the bolas spider, the diving spider, the trapdoor spider. 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.
Irwin Moon shows us the electric eel and demonstrates its amazing abilities to shock fish for food and to use "radar" to find the fish. On the surface, this 1954 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.
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.
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.
Attention is drawn to the interesting chemical structure of water and then to its amazing life-sustaining properties. 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.
On the surface, this 1955 film may seem like an average biology 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.
On the surface, this film may seem like an average science film Explaining the atom as the basic structure of matter. Depicting the birth of the atomic age from Alamogordo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki through the development of the thermonuclear H-bomb. Addressing the morality behind the awesome power of atomic energy. 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.
The Education Act and new schools. Charley junior is told about his future schooldays by a celestial nursemaid.
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