| Description |
1 videodisc : sd., col. and b&w ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD. |
| Note |
Title from container. |
| Summary |
A collection of short industrial films and films with patriotic themes originally produced in the 1950s and 60s. Born in Freedom is loosely based on the true story of Colonel Edwin L. Drake, who, in 1857, went to Titusville, Pennsylvania, where he drilled the first commercial oil well. From Every Mountain Side sings the praises of life insurance and insurance companies. Green Gold extolls the virtues of grassland farming while The Grass is Always Greener introduces underground irrigation systems, in this case for a golf course. |
| Contents |
Born in freedom / Vincent Price, Thurston Hall, AlanHale, Jr. (1954, ca. 30 min.) -- From every mountain side... / Hugh Beaumont -- Green gold -- The Grass is always greener. |
| Note |
Born in Freedom (1954; color) is "The Story of Colonel Drake." Who, exactly, is Colonel Drake? Why, none other than VINCENT PRICE! Yup, Vinny plays Edwin L. Drake (in a stovepipe hat and beard) who, in 1857, goes to Titusville, Pennsylvania, to try to find a way to bring oil up from the ground -- in an era when they weren't even sure what to use the oil for! After first trying to dig down to the oil, Drake tries various drilling rigs, none of which are successful, until he finally invents a device using pipes. A slickly made 30-minute Technicolor short that boasts a number of veteran character actors such as THURSTON HALL and ALAN HALE JR. (Gilligan Island's Skipper), it nevertheless neglects to mention Drake's failure to patent his drill, the loss of his savings in oil speculation, and the ending of his life in poverty. |
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From Every Mountain Side (color) gives us more Technicolor Americana, this time to hawk insurance. When Judge Wallace is diagnosed with a bad ticker, he goes to see his insurance agent (Leave It to Beaver's HUGH BEAUMONT) who guides the Judge through a financial plan should anything happen to him -- such as the heart attack that kills him. |
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Green Gold (color) has teenage Dan Weston extolling the virtues of grassland farming to his stubborn dad. They've got a patch of bad land that Dan thinks would be perfect to convert to pasture with grass used as a rotation crop. And DR. WILL M. MYERS agrees with him! Myers (a real stiff) tells Dan all about how grassland farming works and how it aids top soil rotation. |
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The Grass is Always Greener (color) is about grass again, this time on golf courses! Since Americans love their golf courses nice and green, the better clubs have installed underground irrigation systems. And if you want "a first-class, truly modern irrigation system," you'll use the pipes and products made by the Certain-Teed Corporation, despite the lousy pun in their name. |
| 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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Drake, Edwin Laurentine, 1819-1880 -- Drama.
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Petroleum industry and trade -- Pennsylvania -- History -- 19th century -- Drama.
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Oil wells -- Pennsylvania -- Titusville -- History -- 19th century -- Drama.
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Life insurance -- Drama.
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Insurance companies -- United States -- Drama.
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Grasses.
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Pastures.
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Sprinkler irrigation.
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| Added Author |
Price, Vincent, 1911-1993
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Hall, Thurston, 1882-1958
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Hale, Alan, 1918-1990
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Beaumont, Hugh, 1909-1982
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Something Weird Video (Firm)
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| Added Title |
Lifestyles USA. Vol. 34 |
| Music No. |
37275 Something Weird Video |
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