A/V Geeks

A/V Geeks and Kino International team up to present two new DVDs! They can’t currently be ordered from the A/V Geeks site yet, but can be purchased online from your favorite DVD site..

how_to_be_a_manHow To Be A Man

For centuries, parents have struggled to usher their children through the magical, often treacherous, journey to adulthood. But in mid-century America, a new form of tutelage was engineered: the classroom film. Suddenly, the prickly issues of sexual development and juvenile delinquency could be addressed in tidy, ten-minute sermons disguised as dramas. To deal with the subtleties of behavior and the importance of fitting in, social guidance films were made on such topics as coping with failure (Planning For Success) and teasing (The Other Fellow’s Feelings). The films in this collection-curated and introduced by Skip Elsheimer, founder of the A/V Geeks educational film archive sample some of the lessons that were routinely taught to boys. In them, one sees slices of Americana, discovers the world of educational cinema (with a language all its own), and gains an insight into the hopes and fears of the parents and educators who relied on the power of cinema to initiate, educate and indoctrinate the young.

how_to_be_a_womanHow To Be A Woman

As the daughters of the baby boom reached adolescence, the American school system struggled to educate them on matters of sexual and social development lessons that were not always being taught at home. To the teacher uncomfortable with such topics, classroom films were a godsend. They depicted the reproductive system in anatomical detail (Growing Girls) or through puzzling symbolism (The Wonders of Reproduction, produced by the Moody Institute of Science). Beyond sex education, classroom films addressed a wide array of social issues, from the importance of cooking skills (You’re the Judge, starring a young Bonnie Franklin), to self-defense (Attack) and how to appear more pleasing to others (Improve Your Personality). Often corny, sometimes frightening, these cinematic life lessons curated and introduced by Skip Elsheimer, founder of the A/V Geeks educational film archive provide a fascinating window to the hopes and fears of parents and educators in mid-century America.



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5 Responses to “On Sale Now..”

  1. David Matthews

    Wow–the Geeks move to their THIRD and biggest video company! Even the packaging looks better! I’ve had a lousy life lately, but the news of these October DVDs has elated me considerably!

  2. David Matthews

    Why haven’t more Geeks noticed these releases?

  3. admin

    Actually, even though the DVDs aren’t on sale yet, reviews of have been showing up:

    How To Be A Woman on DVDTalk.com
    How To Be A Man on DVDTalk.com
    Both DVDs at Examiner.com

  4. David Matthews

    The How to Be a Man link to DVDTalk.com actually links to the How to Be a WOMAN review.

  5. Amy Walker

    Being a big fan of AVGeeks, I bought both of these DVD’s as soon as they were available. I love them! You’ve done an incredible job. I sure hope more of these are coming out!

Leave a Reply

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From The Archive

Appreciating Our Parents (1950)

Boy notices that everything in his family’s home is always neat and clean — clean kitchen, all the clothes, etc. Father comes home; gives boy his allowance for week. After dinner boy overhears parents talking about how hard they work. Boy decides to help around the house: keeps his room neat, fixes his own toys. Parents are pleased. Boy gets bigger weekly allowance.

This film is available on the Educational Archive Volume Two : Social Engineering 101 DVD


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From The Archive

Buying Food (1950)

Made for home economics class, this is a primer on sensible food shopping. We learn to read canned food labels and get a glimpse at the mysterious grading system for various foods (and may understand why food grades are no longer advertised unless they are ‘“Grade A”’). Many of this film’’s messages are still poignant today, especially since supermarkets are designed to encourage ““impulse buying.””

This film is available on the Educational Archives Volume 8: Social Engineering 201 DVD


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From The Archive

How To… Two

A/V Geeks again prove that they are “edutainers” with
this show of instructional school films. You’ll learn something at this show.
Films include – Making Change, How To Catch A Cold, How to Develop Interest,
Clock Talk, How To Survive In Your Kitchen
and Listen Well, Learn Well.


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From The Archive

MATH!

Amazing films about math from the A/V Geeks archive: Powers of Ten Sketch, Mathematical Curves, The Weird Number, Donald in Mathemagic Land and The Day Without Numbers.

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From The Archive

Rules, Rules, Rules

A desperate attempt to hedge off the tide of anarchy
and chaos. Watch kid’s free spirits crushed under the weight of society’s rules
and manners. Films included: Rules, Laws and You, Rules To View A Zoo By,
Beginning Responsibility – Lunchroom Manners, Beginning Responsibility- Being
On Time
and Your Junior High Days.

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From The Archive

Snookum Bears On A Rampage (1949)


These raccoon relatives ransack a ranch but redeem themselves when rustlers appear one night.

Buy this film on DVD for $10 postage paid.

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