A Day of Thanksgiving – 1951 Film

In that marvelously stilted, creepy and bigoted 1950s way, this little slice of propaganda shows how a family celebrates Thanksgiving. I’m most interested in the comment about being thankful for not ‘working slave hours.’ Interesting bit of thankfulness, especially since every thankful person in the film is white.

MUBI Presents Free Online Screening of Revolución

Tomorrow, Saturday November 20 through Sunday November 21, MUBI.com presents a free screening of Revolución.  Ten directors contributed films to the project which looks back at the violent upheaval of the Mexican Revolution and compares conditions then to the situation today in Mexico.

The MUBI screening event has a Facebook page with more information.

Go here to attend the MUBI screening of Revolución.

1948 Instruction Film For Amateur Filmmakers

This is 1948 film rescued from the trash behind a library. It tells you how you are supposed to make effective home movies. Watch it and then ignore everything it tells you! The best lesson I have learned in the hardest way is that if you respect your teacher you are lost forever. If you despise your teacher you will reach the stars.

Silent Film Footage of Destroyed San Francisco in 1906

As neighborhoods in the United States begin to explode and disappear off the face of the earth due to a rapidly disintegrating infrastructure, distract yourself for moment and watch this film of how San Francisco looked just after the earthquake and fire of 1906. Incredible footage. These days stuff like this happens without even having an earthquake. You’re just sitting at home in America watching your TV and suddenly your children are on fire in their bedrooms and your entire neighborhood is an inferno.