The Art Of Persuasion!

During the Cold War, America viewed the Soviet Union with suspicion. Russians and their allies were seen as a less privileged people struggling for things that were taken for granted in the free world - free speech and free enterprise. Americans themselves were bouncing back from the effects of the depression and laying emphasis on materialistic possessions. This DVD captures the sentiments of the time in a superbly crafted set of animated films!

Running Time:
DVD One : 60 Minutes

Going Places
This short animated film was sponsored by Harding College. It stars Freddie Fudsie, a lazy soap maker, who just wants to go fishing. He invents bar soap, makes some money, and is about to retire in peace and quiet when the sexy female Profit Motive walks by and Freddie, who suddenly needs more money to win her affection, never sees a fishing hole again!

Sponsor: Harding College
Producer: Sutherland Productions, Inc.
Year: 1948
Length: 00:08:33
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

Make Mine Freedom
This film carries a simple message - Americans do enjoy many freedoms but these could be at risk. In this cartoon, ISM Incorporated (i.e. Communists) attempts to get citizens to sign away their freedom. In a basic way, the cartoon went on to justify the free enterprise system and the right to own private property.

Sponsor: Harding College
Producer: Sutherland Productions, Inc.
Year: 1948
Length: 00:09:30
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

Meet King Joe
Another Harding College gem, this theatrical cartoon was produced to create a deeper understanding of what has made America the finest place in the world to live in. Joe, who wears overalls and talks with a pseudo-Brooklyn accent, is king of the workers of the world because the machinery in his factory multiplies strength and efficiency. “This,’ the narrator says, ‘is the way we Americans do things!”

Sponsor: Harding College
Producer: Sutherland Productions, Inc.
Year: 1972
Length: 00:24:42
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

Why Play Leap Frog?
This cartoon aims at convincing workers that increased productivity brings about greater purchasing power. Joe works at the Dilly-Doll factory as a face painter, and is upset because nearly every one of his pay hikes is offset by an increase in the cost of goods. Joe soon understands that this was the result of the limitations of the systems and quickly learns to use the system to his own benefit. The film is a Freedom Foundation award-winner shot in Technicolor.

Sponsor: Harding College
Producer: Sutherland Productions, Inc.
Year: 1949
Length: 00:09:39
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

It's Everybody's Business
This U.S. Chamber of Commerce Cold War era cartoon links the Bill of Rights to free-enterprise ideology! Watch the antics of John Sutherland's anthropomorphized dollar bills as they run around frantically. Equally fascinating is his portrayal of the money-sucking tax monster. The Freedom Foundation awarded this film its gold honor medal as "the best film developed in the United States during 1954 to further a better understanding of the American way of life." In the spirit of spending as much money as possible, it was shot in Technicolor.

Sponsor: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Producer: Sutherland Productions, Inc.
Year: 1954
Length: 00:19:53
Audio: Mono
Color: COLOR

EDITORIAL REVIEW :

Americans often associate the post World War II period with a series of powerful cultural symbols: the "American Dream" meant a home in the suburbs, job security in a large corporation, and a new car every few years. Other symbols that spelt success were Marilyn Monroe, and television. This rare and amazing collection of animated features all center on one theme – America's pursuit of materialism in the 1950s.

Amazingly, this DVD has five titles all produced by the master cartoon film maker- John Sutherland. It is interesting that Sutherland chose to make these films at a time when the cold war was just heating up. It was also a time when America was trying to woo east block countries to its side by portraying a life style, prosperity and free enterprise they could never dream of under the soviet regime. The times also reflect the resurgence of the United States as powerful and wealthy nation. Clever humor camouflages a very serious message – communism is dangerous, capitalism is what you need. Going Places, the first of five animated films you will see defends capitalism. Make Mine Freedom is another humorous defense of capitalism. Meet Joe king is the story about Joe, the king of workers who enjoys benefits far beyond the reach of workers anywhere else in the world.

Why Leap Frog? An interesting title, which aims at convincing workers that increased production is the answer to increasing prices. It also supports creativity and profit sharing. Its Everybody's Business was for a change sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and not Harding College. Today's computer generated graphics may make for highly realistic movie special effects, but face it – they are not works of art. These films, however, are all hand drawn by master animation craftsman. Frame by frame, these artists labored over these classic films. Each one is a work of art.

CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS :

"A good commentary on the mind set of Americans during the Cold War era. I was particularly fascinated by John Sutherland's uncanny ability to use humor as a vehicle to convey a serious theme. Although all the films bear the stamp of quality that we normally associate with Sutherland, two characters stand out in terms of craftsmanship – the dollar bills and the sexy Miss Motive. These films are truly artistic creations and provide an insight into Sutherland's deep understanding of filmmaking and the undertones of the Cold War. I think Harding College and Sutherland succeeded in getting their message across quite well. (Paul Bridges/Mountain View, California)

"This DVD does pretty well in conveying the idea that if you have a message and want people to listen, catch hold of a master cartoon filmmaker like Sutherland who knows just what to do. I thought the cold war was all about missiles and spy satellites. Thanks to Sutherland's creative genius, I now understand that it was also something you could laugh about! Seriously, I like the way capitalism is defended and projected as the only way for a progressive America". Peter Woods/Houston, Texas)

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General Packaging Description:
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