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. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. What makes a "good" candidate? (28:26)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the characteristics of a "good" candidate in terms of age, religion, and home state. Points out that men from populous states stand the best chance of receiving the nomination. Also discusses favorite sons, dark horse candidates, and the nomination of candidates previously defeated.

13. Where do prejudices come from? (2:02:10)

Date:
1956
Summary:
In this concluding program on prejudices, the delegates stress some of the similarities between nations represented in the Forum group. These include Switzerland-Germany, common language and literature; Switzerland-Israel, multilingual country and neutrality; Switzerland-Finland, winter sports, neutrality; Germany-Israel, anti-Semitism in Germany, anti-German feeling in Israel; and Israel-Egypt, struggle to develop the desert, find water, be independent of foreign influence, and solve problems of refugees.

14. Talking sense : do you know how to make a statement of fact? (29:18)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
Irving Lee, Ed Weiss
Summary:
Distinguishes between statements of inference and statements of fact and discusses the consequences of confusing the two. Illustrates the manner in which most people make declarative statements that are mistakenly assumed to be statements of fact. Shows how behavior is affected when people tend to misunderstand each other and fail to assess situations realistically.

15. Talking sense : the man who knows it all (29:26)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
Irving Lee, Ed Weiss
Summary:
Considers the consequences of the "disease of allness", an attitude present in the person who implies or believes that what he knows or says about a thing is all that can be said. When "allness" exists, learning is hindered, and tension is likely to develop in human relations. The world of change in which we live makes it impossible to say all there is to say about anything. Failure to recognize this leads to bigotry. (WOI-TV) Kinescope.

16. Talking sense : what is a good observer? (27:41)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
Irving Lee, Ed Weiss, Ed Wegener
Summary:
Considers the differences between a good and a bad observer and relates these differences to talking sense. Points out that the use of conclusions based on observation of similarities alone results in a limitation of our awareness of the world, while the use of conclusions grounded on observation that also considers differences is a mark of the mature mind.

17. Do regional pacts promote peace? (30:15)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
National Educational Television
Summary:
Presents members of the New York Herald Tribune World Forum and forum director Helen Hiett Waller. Reveals that the Indian and the Yugoslav forum members oppose any type of international military pact, while Norwegian delegate defend the North Atlantic Treaty organization. The Iranian delegate appraises the pros and cons of the argument.

18. How can the U.N. be more effective (30:19)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
National Educational Television
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.

19. How do American schools compare with yours? (30:22)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
National Educational Television
Summary:
Delegates representing Australia, Guatemala, Norway and Turkey compare their own schools with those they have come to know in America. Girls and boys split over the value of coeducation with the males in favor and the girls opposed. Says the Australian delegate, "Maybe girls are afraid to let boys find out how intelligent they are." The girls also think American girls are too clothes conscious and suggest uniforms for students. Other comments include envy of the American student's freedom to work part time, lack of respect for the teacher, appreciation of the modern equipment in American schools and surprise at the American custom of "going steady."

20. Is there an alternative to war? (30:35)

Date:
1956
Main contributors:
National Educational Television
Summary:
Is fear the main element preventing war at the present time? Is fear an adequate basis on which to build a lasting peace? Is the UN the answer? These are some of the thought-provoking questions which four forum delegates consider in this second program. The teen agers compare their own war experiences, which range from the Italian invasion of Ethiopia to the German occupation of Norway. An ironic coincidence is revealed as the Australian delegate tells how her father was held prisoner in Germany and the German student, in turn, relates his father's imprisonment in Australia.