| Description |
1 videodisc : sd., col., b&w ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD. |
| Note |
Title from disc label. |
| Summary |
How do you define America? As these films clearly show it's a combination of railroads, Investment bankers, office manners, correct public speaking, Thanksgiving, and Formica. |
| Contents |
Mainline U.S.A. (1955) -- Adventure in home decor (1958) -- Know your customer (1958) -- The Correct thing (1951) -- Speech: the function of gestures (195O) -- Finding the right job (1954) -- Opportunity, U.S.A. (1952) -- Day of Thanksgiving (1951) |
| Note |
Mainline U.S.A. (1955, color) isn't about shooting heroin but, rather a celebration of choo-choo trains sponsored by the Association of American Railroads: "the strong throbbing rhythm that is the pulse of a mighty nation!" With enthusiastic narration by ART GILMORE and everything from cargo trains to modem passenger cars ("the last word in streamlined comfort and spaciousness"), this Casey Jones classic makes mid fifties America look like one big giant Lionel Train set. |
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Adventure in Home Decor (1958, color) finds a happy housewife ("A delightful creature of many moods!") touring the wonderful world of laminated plastic by gliding through stylized sets showing the glitz and glamour of Formica kitchens. Formica bathrooms! Formica bedrooms! Formica living rooms! Formica refreshment centers! It's "elegance with a purpose" and "the most sensible product material to use all over your house!" Hell, let's start wearing Formica! |
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Know Your Customer (1958, color), sponsored by Du Pont Petroleum, is a cartoon primer on how to run the perfect gas station. Just remember to use patience when dealing with women and, for God's sake, keep those restrooms clean! |
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The Correct Thing (1951, b&w) is all about office etiquette for "the smart modem miss." With ELINOR AMES as inspiration (and produced by New York's WPIX TV), this film provides "tips on behavior for the career-conscious working girl" by contrasting a female version of Goofus and Gallant: smart Sally exudes "efficiency, neatness, and impersonal friendliness," while bimbo Cora is always late, spends too much time with "the company playboy," and hasn't yet learned that "the office is no place to prove you're a Miss Personality!" |
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Speech: The Function of Gestures (195O, b&w), a Centron production from Lawrence, Kansas, shows how to be a good public speaker by contrasting boring (and bald) George, who puts audiences to sleep, with dynamic and slick John (hambone HERK HARVEY, the director and white-faced dead guy of the 1962 horror classic Carnival of Souls) who keeps audiences enthralled with his wild gesturing. The moral - "the freedom of the body helps in freeing the mind" - is symbolized by cartoon animation of a man shaking hands with an arm growing out of his head. |
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Finding the Right Job (1954, b&w) shows gung-ho DICK YORK (the first Darren of Bewitched), seeking a job in the radio business - repairing radios, that is. When his first job interview proves a disaster, he quickly learns "how to sell himself." |
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Opportunity, U.S.A. (1952, b&w) sings the glories of banks, funds, stocks, securities, and bonds. It's exactly what you'd expect from a film sponsored by The Investment Bankers Association of America. C'mon, fork it over, buddy! |
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A Day of Thanksgiving (1951, b&w), another Centron short, offers us a family who can't afford a turkey for Thanksgiving. Rather than being bummed, they give thanks for being citizens of the greatest goddamn country on earth! |
| 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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Consumption (Economics) -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Railroads -- United States -- History.
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Laminated plastics -- History.
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Business etiquette.
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Employment interviewing.
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Gesture.
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Banks and banking -- United States -- History
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| Added Author |
Something Weird Video (Firm)
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| Added Title |
Lifestyles USA Vol. 2 |
| Music No. |
3622 Something Weird Video |
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