The Quiet Revolution!

A wonderful set of films that cannot be ignored by either supporters or critics of the post - World War II revolution.

America Marching On
This film advocates a better standard of living at affordable prices for all Americans regardless of their status. It maps the country's march towards a more affluent lifestyle and illustrates how this was made possible. Clever use of the story of a miller and his assistant and their journey to the higher echelons of society by way of shrewd planning and investment make the movie interesting and informative.

Sponsor: N/A
Producer: Audio Production Inc.
Year: 1937
Length: 00:08:44
Audio: Mono
Color: BLACK & WHITE

A Place To Live
An engrossing account of the pathetic living conditions that existed in the cities in the '40s, with Philadelphia the erstwhile state and national capital, as an example. It is a wonderful account of how the once beautiful city was transformed by the growth of industry. Slums sprung up binging with them dirt and misery. The need for better living conditions is very well illustrated by the story of a family's struggles.

Sponsor: N/A
Producer: Documentary Film Productions, Inc.
Year: 1948
Length: 00:16:06
Audio: Mono
Color: BLACK & WHITE

According to Plan
This movie was made at a time when the building boom was at its peak, and is an opportunistic attempt at selling asbestos -the new rage in building materials. Though a little lengthy, the film is an exhaustive attempt at extolling the outstanding qualities of asbestos (fireproof, waterproof, weatherproof, enduring, resilient and so on).

Sponsor: Asbestos Cement Products Association
Producer: Jam Handy Organization
Year: 1952
Length: 00:17:57
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

Man Of Action
The use of animation makes this film very creative and refreshingly original despite being based on the same old themes - 'we need to keep our neighborhoods neat and clean' and 'there's nothing you cannot do if you come together'.

Sponsor: Continental Can Company
Producer: Transfilm Productions
Year: 1955
Length: 00:13:28
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

The Quiet Revolution
This is an interesting movie about how Levittown was built and the emphasis builders placed on quantity and speed rather than style, grace and originality of design.

Sponsor: Ford Motor Company, Tractor and Implement Division
Producer: Ford Motor Company, Tractor and Implement Division
Year: 1956
Length: 00:09:08
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

Running Time:
DVD One : 01:11:05

The four films on this DVD, made in the '30s and the '50s, profile America's march towards modernization. A notable point made here is that, anything could be achieved through proper planning and with a little foresight. The production is enhanced with beautifully photographed reenactments as well as intelligent use of animation.

America considerable progress in the early years of the 20th century is chronicled in the 1937 film America Marching On. The account of a miller's insight, planning and the resultant prosperity is told in a captivating manner. The story of how cities grew through industrialization, progressed and then fell prey to uncontrolled growth is beautifully recounted in A Place To Live. The depictions of the miserable living conditions in the slums of Philadelphia are both matter-of-fact and emotionally moving. The clips on Asbestos in the 1952 film According To Plan are actually quite informative. The film offers some practical suggestions to people wishing to build or renovate their homes. The repetitive discourse on the virtues of asbestos can be forgiven, since the sponsor was a well-meaning manufacturer. The animated film A Man Of Action provides some interesting footage after the discourse on building material. This film points to the devastating effects of negligence on a community. It is interesting to note how the township of Levittown sprung up almost overnight in the film The Quiet Revolution - thanks to Ford tractors and machinery. This is an intelligently rendered and captivating look at a very critical period in America's history of urbanization.

"I was moved by the pathetic living conditions in Philadelphia, which are depicted so well in the film 'A place To Live'. Made me glad I wasn't born there at the time. The script for this film - and the others too - is written by people with a lot of insight. I enjoyed watching the delight on people's faces when they listen to the radio in one of the clips."

Customer's Name: Maria Goldberg (Los Angeles, California)

"I never thought there was so much I did not know about asbestos. Just hang on while I run out and buy some before it's all sold out (ha ha ha)!!! As a construction worker, I found the two clips on building activity (According To Plan & The quiet Revolution) delightfully informative. The producers have taken a lot of pain to work out minute details, leaving nothing to imagination. I imagine a lot of people did benefit from these educational films. I did."

Customer's Name: N.W. Lambert (New York)

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General Packaging Description:
Our professionally-produced DVDs are shipped in retail Amaray style DVD cases just like you would find in a store. These beautifully packaged DVDs make great gifts and are themselves works of art. While we offer some of the best prices anywhere, we have never sacrificed quality for price.