| Description |
1 videodisc : sd., col. and b&w ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD. |
| Note |
Title from disc label. |
| Summary |
Presents various government and business film shorts produced in the 1940s and 50s. Three films present picture-postcard views of America with powder-puff propaganda. Too Good To Be True warns about the "bait & switch" scams unscrupulous salesmen use to con consumers. But the prize goes to: The Enchanted Pot which features a talking pot -- "a fairy god-pot" -- who gives cooking suggestions to a happy housewife. |
| Contents |
What it means to be American -- Our basic civil rights -- The Revolt of Charlie Winters -- Too good to be true -- The Enchanted pot -- This Is my land. |
| Note |
What It Means to be American (color) mixes picture-postcard views of America with powder-puff propaganda to explain how great it is to live here and how rotten it is to live over there. We see "a Typical American Family on a Northwestern fruit farm" and are reminded that "even small children feel free to speak their own opinions in an American home!" An Afro American leads a team of carpenters building a house: "There is a carefree atmosphere not found in countries controlled by a dictatorship!" And scene after scene of friendly cops, rural neighborhoods, and waterfalls are accompanied by patriotic babble: "In America, we like to go to church!" No poverty, crime, race riots, bars, or drugs -- just happy citizenries enjoying life in the good ol' U.S. of A.: "In America, it is necessary for each person to do his part and do it cheerfully!" Watch this then take a Loyalty Oath. |
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Our Basic Civil Rights (b&w) are simplistically explained by a court judge to a group of high school students following the trial and release of a man arrested for handing out leaflets in Small Town U.S.A. It's all rather perfunctory until a brief but wonderfully nightmarish Kafka-esque moment when the same trial is shown with the defendant denied his rights: "Your honor, may I ask for a trial by jury and a lawyer to defend me?" "Certainly not! There is no defense! The court finds you guilty!" Now that's justice! |
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The Revolt of Charlie Winters (color) concerns the Parts Manager of a badly-run auto supply store. Frustrated by lazy workers, a demanding boss, workplace inefficiency, and even his annoying Uncle Arthur, the overworked Charlie decides to "revolt." Since this was made by the Parts and Accessories Sales Department of Ford Motors, it isn't terribly surprising that Charlie's revolution is to quickly reorganize the work staff and turn a sloppy shop into a profitable business. Of course, today Charlie would simply arm himself and go postal. |
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Too Good To Be True (color) warns about the "Bait & Switch" scams unscrupulous salesmen con consumers with. "Fighting this racket is Mr. Campbell from the Better Business Bureau and BUD COLLYER, host of the early TV shows Beat the Clock and To Tell The Truth, and the voice of Superman on radio and in the Fleischer cartoons. After we see items that are "nailed to the floor" and the rotten "rebuilt sewing machine deal," the biggest con comes when it's revealed that Mr. Campbell isn't really from the BBB, but is actually actor HERBERT NELSON. |
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The Enchanted Pot (color) features a talking pot -- "a fairy god-pot" -- who gives cooking suggestions to a happy housewife. It's all set to music and, in its own peculiar way, quite terrifying. |
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This Is My Land (color) perfectly fuses Patriotism with Capitalism as it explains how this great big beautiful land of ours -- specifically Southern California -- can be bought and sold. |
| Subject |
United States -- Civilization -- 1945-
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United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century.
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Popular culture -- United States -- 20th century.
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Civil rights -- United States -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
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Automobiles -- Equipment and supplies -- Marketing.
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Swindlers and swindling.
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Cooking, American.
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| Added Author |
Something Weird Video (Firm)
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| Added Title |
Lifestyles USA. Vol. 8 |
| Music No. |
3628 Something Weird Video |
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