1. A body of men united (29:42)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Topic of discussion on this program is the actual organization of the major parties. Our lecturer considers the national characteristics of parties as opposed to the idea that each of them is a conglomeration of local political machines. He concludes with a look at the role the private citizen can and does play in party organization.

2. A musical partnership (29:53)

Date:
1956
Summary:
The French horn, capable of producing melody, and the piano, a percussion instrument able to produce symphonic effects, are instruments which contrast with each other and blend exquisitely. To illustrate this musical partnership the program features John Barrows, French horn, and Vera Brodsky, piano. This film deals with the blending and contrasting of voices in composition and Mr. Barrows points out how composers have capitalized on this partnership.

3. A party is to elect (29:23)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the performance of necessary functions by our political parties. Explains why we have the two-party system. Mentions party factions and splinter groups. (KETC) Kinescope.

4. Are You an Artist? Part 2 (29:50)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Suggests ways of beginning in art and stresses the importance of making use of past experience. Shows students producing visual symbols which are suggested by a number of abstract ideas presented verbally. Encourages viewers to exercise the creativity that each possesses. (Hofstra College and WOR-TV) Kinescope.

5. Art and life in America (29:02)

Date:
1956
Summary:
The conversation in this program centers around Larkin’s book as something new –an attempt to trace the history of American ideas through America’s architecture, painting and sculpture. In recent years, our conversationalists point out historians have been increasingly interested in looking over the American past to discover the origin and development of a climate of ideas that makes the United States unique. But this is the first time such an attempt has been made on such a large scale by a man whose training and background are in the arts.

6. Changing styles in art (29:15)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Explains the meaning of style in art, enumerates some of the qualities of style, and gives reasons why styles change. Compares medieval, 18th century, and 20th century art styles by showing works characteristic of these periods; points out similar differences in style in the literature of each period. Features Dr. Malcolm H. Preston, chairman of the Fine Arts Department of Hofstra College.

7. Choosing the running mate (29:12)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the influence of the president in picking vice-presidential nominees and the difficulties in getting able men to accept this nomination. Points out that candidates are most often selected to "balance the ticket" from the standpoint of geography as well as points of view on pertinent issues. Considers the "whys" behind the nomination of seven vice presidents who eventually became president.

8. Convention management (29:46)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Describes convention management in relation to the four committees of all political conventions. Explains the seating of these four committees--rules, platform, credentials, and permanent organization. Shows a film on the fight between Taft and Eisenhower delegates in the credential committee of 1952.

9. Conventions at work (29:15)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the sequence of events that takes place when the national political convention is underway. Includes consideration of the role of the contemporary chairman, the "keynoter", general speeches presented as time fillers, reports from the four main committees, role call for nominations, nominating and seconding speeches, and demonstrations for the candidates. Presents films of the departure of Alabama and Mississippi delegates in 1948 and the nomination of Franklin Roosevelt in 1940. (Dynamic Films) Film.

10. Has Europe a future? (30:27)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Forum delegates attempt to define Europeanism as contrasted to Americanism as they launch this challenging topic of discussion. Talk moves naturally into a consideration of a federated Europe and all five delegates agree on the desirability of a united Europe. In considering sacrifices of individual countries in an effort to achieve this unity, the German delegate points out the cynicism of his teachers about politics—the result of having to admit twice that what they had previously taught was false. Italian and French participants both comment on the lack of instruction in contemporary politics in their school systems.

11. How can the United Nations be made more effective? (30:19)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Delegates from India, Korea, Norway and the United Kingdom thrash out the controversial question of U.N. membership for Red China in a lively discussion during this program. "Actually it is not a question of whether we like a country or its government. The fact is that it—the country—should be recognized," Norway says and the Korean delegate comes back with, "Nations that don’t love peace should not be admitted to the U.N." The conversation swings into a second heated discussion on the effectiveness of competition between the United States and Russia to aid underdeveloped countries.

12. Huckleberry Finn (29:22)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Analyzes and discusses Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. Points out the various levels of this picaresque novel and indicates the problems with which it deals. Speculates on the psychological meanings of some of Twain's chief characters. Considers the author's artistic development. (Syracuse University) Kinescope.

13. Let the People Rule (29:28)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the primary system and its effect on the party system. Considers whether or not the primary system destroys party discipline, thus weakening the party, or, conversely does it give more power to the machine? (KETC) Kinescope.

14. Poems (29:51)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses Poems by Emily Dickinson. Considers her skill as a poet, and the effectiveness of her poetry. Traces the publishing and editing history of her poems. Emphasizes the significance of the 1956 Harvard edition from the standpoint of both publication and scholarship. (Syracuse University) Kinescope.

15. Sibling relations and personality (21:41)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Presents a number of family situations to show that behavior of a child depends on his age and how the development of an individual's personality is affected by many family factors. Portrays examples of children as their behavior is influenced by such factors as the age of the child, illness of a parent, proximity of ages between children, native differences, and attitude of grandparents.

16. The Life of James Madison (29:47)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses The Life of James Madison by Irving Brant. Characterizes this four-volume work as a new kind of writing and considers other modes of treating biography. Praises the book for its portrayal of Madison and for its exposition of American colonial and revolutionary history. (Syracuse University) Kinescope.

17. The Pestilence of Factions (29:10)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the competing interests or "factions" which existed as separate groups before political parties were organized. Explains that today these groups make themselves felt through competition with the parties for power and influence or by trying to gain dominance within a party. (KETC) Kinescope.

18. The Red and the Black (29:43)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses The Red and the Black by Stendhal. Outlines conditions in France that served as background for this novel and compares it with others that depict revolt against small-town ways. Considers the development of plot and characters and touches on the form and the treatment of ideas in the book. (Syracuse University) Kinescope.

19. The wheat farmer (second edition) (13:35)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Shows the raising and harvesting of a crop of wheat by a family in Kansas. Pictures plowing, harrowing, and planting in the late summer along with a variety of activities in which the wheat farmer engages. Dramatizes the struggle to get the crop in before an impending hail storm and reveals the risks involved in wheat farming.

20. Wellmet House (29:30)

Date:
19uu
Summary:
Explains that Wellmet House attempts to rehabilitate the mentally ill not by gaining conforming behavior but by helping them relate to other people in natural and unstructured ways. Points out that half of the residents are mentally ill and the other half are college students from nearby universities who staff Wellmet House. Emphasizes the need for each patient to find individual expression. Shows patients and staff at dinner, parties, the local pub, and a house meeting.