| Description |
1 videodisc : sd., b&w and col. ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD. |
| Note |
Title from container. |
| Summary |
Presents film shorts produced from the 1940s to 1950s featuring various aspects of American life. Includes two shorts for 1953 and '54 Pontiacs, U.S. Tires, Chevy trucks and three films from the Centron Corporation's "speech series" addressing the do's and don'ts of successful communication. |
| Contents |
Most important connection / Chevrolet -- All out on all fronts / U.S. Tires (1941) -- Destination: dotted line / Pontiac (1953) -- Look at Pontiac for 1954 -- Belonging to the group (1953) -- Speech: conversation (1953) -- Making yourself understood (1953) -- New tools for learning (1951) |
| Note |
The Most Important Connection (b&w) is a commercial masquerading as homespun Americana in which Ma, the woman who owns an all-night diner, refuses to let the truckers talk anymore to her son: "Danny sort of idolizes you and your job. But I don't want to lay awake night worrying about Danny fighting some heavy truck along a lonely highway!" So the helpful truckers sell Ma, Danny, and all of us on the safety and comfort of driving Chevy trucks. |
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All Out on All Fronts (1941; color) has World War II as a backdrop for "U.S. Tire's Advertising Program for 1941." With repeated footage of Navy warships firing canons and media ads referred to as "weapons" and "big guns," this isn't just hard-sell but downright aggressive. See magazine covers! Billboard ads! And even a newspaper comic strip for grownups! |
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Destination: Dotted Line (1953; b&w) shows off the new '53 Pontiac in a rather unique way: under a spotlight. Yup, like some brooding film noir, a car salesman in an otherwise pitch black showroom aims a spotlight on the newest Chevy for a potential customer. |
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Look at Pontiac for 1954 (b&w) is another Jam Handy pitch for Chevy, this time with a jet-pilot putting the '54 Pontiac through the tests at the "world famed General Motors proving ground." |
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Belonging to the Group (1953; b&w) examines how two families move to a small town and establish themselves among their new neighbors. One of the dads is immediately hated when he disciplines workers at the local plant, the other -- who comes from another country -- is seen as a dreaded "foreigner." |
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Speech: Conversation (1953; b&w) is another in Centron's "Speech" series which contrasts some slick speakers with some duds. George's basic mode of speaking is "to charge and bellow." And please note the little old lady who annoys her guests is FRANCES FEIST, the little old landlady from Carnival of Souls. |
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Making Yourself Understood (1953; b&w) offers some basic rules of communication demonstrated by the folks of Small Town USA. See how different words can have different meanings, and how to use words that have "the right emotional appeal." |
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New Tools for Learning (1951; b&w) is not only the Ultimate Audio-Visual-Geek film, but an orgy of stock-footage Americana. |
| 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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Pontiac automobile -- Marketing.
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Chevrolet trucks -- Marketing.
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Automobiles -- Tires -- Marketing.
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Social interaction.
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Speech.
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| Added Author |
General Motors Corporation. Chevrolet Motor Division
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General Motors Corporation. Pontiac Motor Division.
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Centron Corporation.
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Something Weird Video (Firm)
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| Added Title |
Lifestyles USA. Vol. 29 |
| Music No. |
35696 Something Weird Video |
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