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Omaha Steve

(99,669 posts) Sat Oct 26, 2013, 09:22 PM Oct 2013

Remember Bell Labs Films "Our Mr. Sun (1956)"

Forum Issue is solar power

Can be viewed here: https://archive.org/details/our_mr_sun

From the description in Rick Prelinger's Field Guide to Sponsored Films:
Popular scientific film directed by Frank Capra that launched the Bell System Science series. Combining animation and live action, Our Mr. Sun uses a scientist-writer team to present information about the sun and its importance to humankind. NOTE: Produced in Technicolor, the film was originally telecast in 1956 and 1957 to 9 million homes; some 600 16mm prints were distributed to schools and community organizations through the Bell Telephone System film libraries.

7 replies

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Remember Bell Labs Films "Our Mr. Sun (1956)" (Original Post) Omaha Steve Oct 2013 OP

At this point i've seen most of thse films through MST3K/Rifftrax. el_bryanto Oct 2013 #1

I remember it well. I loved those Bell science films. The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2013 #2

So did I dragonlady Oct 2013 #3

I managed to find a DVD of "Hemo The Magnificent/Unchained Goddess." Orsino Oct 2013 #4

Yes, but remember Hemo the Magnificent? frazzled Oct 2013 #5

this was cool, too. TheMightyFavog Oct 2013 #6

I didn't remember them as 'Bell Labs Films', but I do remember the esteemed Dr Baxter Brother Buzz Oct 2013 #7

el_bryanto

(11,804 posts)

1. At this point i've seen most of thse films through MST3K/Rifftrax.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 09:23 PM

Oct 2013

I love the earnest ness of them.

Bryant

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,761 posts)

2. I remember it well. I loved those Bell science films.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 09:23 PM

Oct 2013

There was another one about weather that I really found interesting as a grade-school kid.

dragonlady

(3,577 posts)

3. So did I

Reply to The Velveteen Ocelot (Reply #2)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 10:00 PM

Oct 2013

I still think of hurricanes whenever I hear the music by Beethoven that the weather film used with that segment.

Orsino

(37,428 posts)

4. I managed to find a DVD of "Hemo The Magnificent/Unchained Goddess."

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 11:03 PM

Oct 2013

These were the two "Dr. Research" films I recall from elementary school.

"Unchained Goddess" introduced the crazy-ass theory that carbon dioxide exhaust from fossil fuels could affect the climate, and it did it fifty-five years ago:

frazzled

(18,402 posts)

5. Yes, but remember Hemo the Magnificent?

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 11:22 PM

Oct 2013

1957, same team of Bell Labs and Frank Capra. I remember being so moved by Hemo and the story of the circulatory system. Honestly, it still haunts me today, 56 years later.

We watched all these films at school, though I think a bit later, like 1962.

TheMightyFavog

(13,770 posts)

6. this was cool, too.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 11:41 PM

Oct 2013

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Brother Buzz

(36,448 posts)

7. I didn't remember them as 'Bell Labs Films', but I do remember the esteemed Dr Baxter

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Oct 26, 2013, 11:43 PM

Oct 2013

He was the science nerd decades before they even invented the word. Hell, I'll bet you dimes to donuts Bill Nye the Science Guy was every bit as hooked on his stuff as I was.

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