Start Over Date 1956 Collection National Educational Television

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. Abstract Art, Part 1 (29:11)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses abstract art and the elements in a machine society which have furthered its development. Discusses the influences of Cezanne, the cubists, and the futurists. Uses charcoal drawings to distinguish expressionistic from geometric abstraction.

5. Abstract Art: Part 2 (29:32)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Continues the discussion of abstract art begun in ABSTRACT ART: PART 1. Discusses inspiration, technique, and communication in abstract painting. Features Stuart Davis, American abstract painter, and shows works by Davis and by Jackson Pollock. (Hofstra College and WOR-TV) Kinescope.

6. 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.

7. Breaking Habits (29:28)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses and illustrates some principles that can be applied in the breaking of habits with specific application to smoking and alcoholism. Points out that to break a habit, one must know what needs the habit satisfies, must have a strong urge to break it, and must practice the new ways of satisfying the needs formerly satisfied by the habit. (KOMU-TV) Kinescope.

8. 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.

9. Conflicts (30:26)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses conflicts, and suggests effective ways of handling them. Identifies the various characteristics of a conflict as: the opposition forces, the vacillation, the inability to reach a decision without a great expenditure of energy.

10. Conservatism in America (29:18)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses Conservationism in America by Clinton Rossiter. Outlines the contents, clarifies terms, and assesses the author's position. Considers the techniques used and appraises the historical and literary merits of the book. Compares this with earlier work on conservatism. (Syracuse University) Kinescope.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Early steps in the nominating process (30:16)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the early steps in the nominating process. Explains and illustrates the makeup of the national committee, the role of the national chairman, the importance of selecting a favorable convention site, apportionment of delegates, and state, county, and precinct organizations. Discusses a cartoon of the county chairman. (Dynamic Films) Film.

14. Evaluation of the National Convention as a means for setting party policy (30:24)

Date:
1956
Summary:
The panel takes up the importance of the national convention in drafting a party platform and important intra-party conflicts which have developed over the drafting of such platforms at recent conventions. Along these same lines, the panel considers the procedure used to draft the platform and the question of whether the platform is drafted to represent the policy position of the candidate or for the candidate to stand on.

15. Evaluation of the National Convention as a nominating device (30:39)

Date:
1956
Summary:
A panel here considers the advantages and disadvantages of the convention systems as it now operates. Speakers also discuss suggestions for improving the convention as a nominating device, alternatives methods for nominating a president and vice president, and the problems and advantages of these alternatives.

16. Friends (29:48)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses the benefits one receives from friends, and through interviews presents the values and bases of friendship. Presents reasons why some people are friendless and ways to help them acquire friends. Points out that one can have friends by engaging in activities with others. (KOMU-TV) Kinescope.

17. Getting Along with Others (30:12)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses ways of getting along with people and through interviews shows why some people can more easily get along wit h others. Emphasizes interest in others, acceptance, and understanding, as well as cheerfulness, helpfulness, and neatness and basic factors in getting along with people. (KOMU-TV) Kinescope.

18. Ghost town in the Negev (29:45)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses and demonstrates how the deciphering of papyri led to recent excavations in Negev that have resurrected the village of Nesson--lost for 2000 years. (NYU) Kinescope.

19. Great River (29:34)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Discusses Great River by Paul Horgan. Sets forth the scope of the book, analyzes its form, and appraises the strengths and limitations of its author as historian and writer. Stresses the importance of the work with regard to the historical technique used.

20. Handling Strong Feelings (29:26)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Explains and illustrates the causes of strong feelings such as anger, anxiety, and aversion, and shows how people deal with them. Suggests controlling strong feelings through understanding, and presents approved outlets as outdoor, religious, and thrill activities, sports, music, helping others, confidential talks, and scribbling. (KOMU-TV) Kinescope.