All Films

Analogies No. 1

1953 • 10 min • United States of America

Experimental filmmaker James Davis draws parallels between reflective surfaces both real and artificial.

How Quiet Helps at School

1953 • 10 min • United States of America

The ideal classroom is still as a tomb according to this vintage Coronet Instructional short. First we see a mildly chaotic room of first graders who are then contrasted with Miss Bradley's little angels next door. Apparently opening their yaps wide only on the playground, they communicate sotto voce ("Whispering is the quiet way to talk when you have to talk!"), create only "work sounds" and even manage to move heavy wooden chairs around without making a peep. They're more productive and attentive that way, we're told, though seriously, there's something wrong with a class of six-year-olds so silent you can practically hear tumbleweeds rolling across their institutional tundra. - Dennis Harvey

The Trial of John Peter Zenger

1953 • 60 min

A reenactment of the trial of John Peter Zenger who was arrested during US colonial times for printing materials against the British.

Eneri

1953 • 7 min • United States of America

Short experimental film by Hy Hirsh. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with iotaCenter and National Film Preservation Foundation in 2000.

The Flood

1953 • 10 min • Yugoslavia

Shows endangered human lives and material damage done by this natural catastrophe, struggle against flooding by construction of dikes on Sava river, and the action of medical staff in prevention of epidemics.

Any Boy, USA

1953 • 24 min

Sponsored by the Women's Christian Temperance Union. In this not-too-subtle rip-off of Huckleberry Finn, young William Blake is bored with the country life and leaves for the glamorous excitement of the city. Along the way, he meets up with liquor personified, "Mr. Whiskey," who tags along with Bill and complains about how bad alcohol is for people. This muddled film is as much about the perils of the big city as it is about the evils of alcohol and probably just confused any teen that saw it.

Love for Sale

1953 • 10 min

Model Bella Starr shows off her stuff for the sake of 3-D.

Hic...!

1953 • 2 min • Argentina

Animated short film by Víctor Iturralde.

Don’t Talk to Strangers

1953 • 10 min • United States of America

Educational safety film produced by the Fresno Police

The Conquered Planet

1953 • 8 min

Short independent sc-fi animation by Toonder Studio’s, sponsored by Phillips.

Näskara (Awakening)

1953 • 38 min • Guatemala, Mexico

Maria, an indigenous woman, seeks justice for her sister Rosa after she is raped.

As Others See Us

1953 • 10 min

Etiquette for teenagers as demonstrated by well-dressed youth of Webster Groves (Missouri) High School.

Hoppy: The Bunny; Background for Reading and Expression

1953 • 10 min

Teacher presents a book about a bunny.

Responsibility

1953 • 14 min • United States of America

In a student council election deadlock, the principal holds the deciding vote between Lloyd, the model of responsibility, and Hank, a reckless troublemaker. Turning to the audience, he asks which candidate they would choose—reminding them that true leadership requires being capable, educated, and responsible.

Don't Be Afraid

1953 • 12 min

Analysis of a child's fear of darkness leads him and us to understand the nature and kinds of fear.

Discovering Individual Differences

1953 • 25 min

Shows how a fifth grade teacher systematically studies the differences in background, abilities and needs of the children in her room. In this process she uses the following techniques--observation, accumulative records, behavior journals, discussion with other teachers, parent interviews and staff conferences.

Making Yourself Understood (Introduction To Communication)

1953 • 14 min

Explains that, in communication, There are five elements to be expressed: who, what, to whom, how & what effect. Points out the need for mutual understanding on the part of the speaker and his audience.

Experimental Studies In Social Climates Of Groups

1953 • 30 min

Illustrates the behavior of boys organized in clubs, each of which is run either on democratic principles, an autocratic principles, or as a laissez-faire group. Shows the responses when the groups are changed from one type to another. Includes graphs and charts giving statistics on group actions and reactions.

Long to Reign Over Us

1953 • 20 min

Colour film of events leading up to and including the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. Included on the BFI DVD "A Royal Occasion".

Getting The Facts

1953 • 11 min

Demonstrates that people must be well-informed in order to make intelligent decisions. Explores the role of newspapers, radio, television, libraries and other channels which provide information to the public.

Figures in a Landscape

1953 • 18 min • United Kingdom

A documentary feature looking at examples of Barbara Hepworth's sculpture set against the Cornish settings that inspired them.

Kumak, the Sleepy Hunter

1953 • 13 min • Canada, United Kingdom

A BAFTA award nominated feature taking a light-hearted look at a sleepy Inuit hunter, Kumak. An Inuit legend about a hunter who is too sleepy to hunt, told with puppets. Despite all efforts to change him he remains sleepy until the day when, following a great adventure, he attains success as a hunter. But then he foolishly tells the secret of his success to his nagging wife.

Spielzeug ernst genommen

1953 • 12 min • East Germany

At the technical college for applied arts in Sonneberg, young toymakers learn to make toys that stimulate children's imaginations based on pedagogical experience.

Big Enough to Care

1953 • 16 min • United States of America

Early 1950s short about women entering the work force