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The importance of men who have learned to work with wood is Bash’s theme in this program. She tells of early settlers who had to do their own building and carving with crude tools. Through film, she then introduces a modern carpenter who demonstrates the use of a collection of historic tools, including one which was used to make wagon spokes. Songs include “Polly Put the Kettle On” and “Ham and Eggs.”
Bash takes a film expedition to a fish hatchery and shows the pools where fish are raised. She shows close-ups of a giant rainbow trout and goes with the hatchery truck to plant fish in the river. She walks down a stream to watch a boy fishing and then tells of the importance of natural wildlife in the past and today. Songs include “Irene” and “Long, Long Trail."
Tells the story of farm life in early America. Explains how the farmer once raised his own animals and used them for the many things he needed. Visits a farm to see farm animals. (KQED) Kinescope.
The story of money is one of a way of life, says Bash in this program. Money was not always coin or paper notes. There were many things which early pioneers could use to buy things. In Virginia, they used tobacco; in South Carolina, rice; Indians used shells and beads; trappers of the North could buy a gun with furs, and the man of New England used fish or timber for payment. Songs include “Sixpence,” “When I Was Single” and “Ribbon Bow.”
Host Bash Kennett describes the danger of fire aboard the clipper ships. Visits the San Francisco Bay's "Phoenix" fire boat, which is shown docked next to the Hills Brothers Coffee Company, and presents a demonstration of how the boat pumps water. Explains fire control in modern ships and discusses the important role of firemen who work in this role. Includes a performance of the traditional "I Grieve My Lord".
Describes the various groups of settlers that came to this country and founded colonies. Tells of the first French, English, Dutch, Swedish, and Spanish settlers. Discusses their lives, homes, and food.
This program begins before there were any schools in this country. Families taught their children at night after the chores were finished and in some cases a master craftsman taught young apprentices to read and write after work. The one room school house is recreated and the difficulties of supplies for classes are discussed. The Lillian Patterson dancers intersperse dances showing the play and games of early days. Songs include “Pretty Saro,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “I Got Wings,” “Did You Ever See a Lassie,” “Little Sally Waters” and “As We Have done Before.”
Bash takes a trip to an old general store, driving up in a buggy as the early settler might have done. In the store she shops for old-time items and tells of their uses. She gets coffee from a big red coffee grinder and her meat is chopped in an old-fashioned hand cranked meat chopper. The stove and the “TV of the early day,” the stereopticon, are observed. Songs include “Blue Tail Fly” and “Bought Me a Cat.”
Bash talks about the brave men who have sailed small boats into the open ocean in search of fish from earliest times. They risk their lives and gamble their fortunes in these ventures. Bash takes a film trip to Fisherman’s Wharf to watch the mending of nets, the bustle of preparation and to see the fishing boats return to unload their catch of fish and crabs. Songs include “Blow the Man Down” and “Goodbye My Lover, Goodbye.”
The hat you wear tells much about where you live, what kind of life you lead and what the climate is, says Bash in this program. Hats can be fun and in this program the story of hats is started with the earliest head coverings used in ancient times. Songs include “Jennie Jenkins,” “Soldier and the Lady,” “Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat” and “He’s Gone Away.”
Dr. Joel Hildebrand discusses the role of the scientist in society. Indicates why a broad acquaintance with science is essential for the educated man. (KQED) Film.
Dr. Joel Hildebrand discusses the future of scientific endeavor and the qualities which help make a scientist. Explains why the young person interested in science should possess curiosity, imagination, drive, and a critical sense. Points out the necessity of an education in mathematics and the other basic subjects. (KQED) Film.
Dr. Joel Hildebrand discusses the scientific method and how it is used. Points out that science is based on observable facts. Illustrates how complete reliance on the physical senses can be deceiving. Explains the development and use of instruments to measure impressions and quantities man cannot see, hear, or feel. (KQED) film.
The story is one of the most significant and exciting in the whole history of science. It started with the “impractical” observation of a line in the solar spectrum with no then-known earthly counterpart. With guest, Captain Albert R. Behnke of the United States Navy, Dr. Hildebrand traces the unfolding story through discoveries of vast scientific value to applications in aeronautics, deep diving, and high altitude flying. In summary, Dr. Hildebrand discusses the revelation of the source of the sun’s energy and the possibility of obtaining inexhaustible supplies of energy to serve the needs to men.
The excitement of the Gold Rush is in this show; the feverish travel across the country to find treasure, and the life of the prospectors. Bash shows the methods of mining with rocker and with gold pan, and then goes on film to visit Columbia, California, where rich strikes of gold were made. An old prospector takes her to the river and shows her how he extracts gold by rocker and pan, equipment which is as good now as it was then. Songs include “I Wish I Were Single” and “Clementine.”
The movement of traveling farmers, who follow the crops around the country, picking them as they ripen at different times in various areas is described in this program. The beginnings of the seasonal worker, when the land for farming for one’s self became difficult to find, start the story. It carries on through the possibility of following various crops all over the country, moving from one to another as they ripen. The ripening of cotton, apples, onions, tomatoes, strawberries and various others are shown on a large map, and the travels of the seasonal worker depicted on an animated visual. Songs include, “Chilly Winds,” “He’s Gone Away,” and “The Big Rock Candy Mountain.”
Tells the story of sailing vessels and life aboard a clipper ship. Describes the various jobs performed by the sailors. Discusses the types of cargoes carried on trips to all parts of the world. (KQED) Kinescope.
The neighborliness of people in the South gives rise to many stories of help to others living nearby. The assistance with plowing, picking of crops and helping “catch up on work” is told, then the custom of a logrolling is pictured, wherein the neighbors gather to clear the fields of trees and logs. After the logrolling came the brush burning, or “woods burning” to further clear the land. This life is described, followed by the good times they had at a feast, after the work was done. Songs include “In the Evening,” “Nicodemus” and “Liza Jane.”
Bash’s story begins when the only way letters were delivered was in a sack of mail throw on the corner table of a coffee house, to be picked up, perhaps, by the owner or his friend. Early envelopes, quill pens, sealing wax are shown, and then the first rides of the Post Riders, through difficult forest paths are described. The developments in various of the colonies add stories of letters passing from plantation to plantation, and of sheriffs empowered to commandeer horses and riders to deliver official papers. Then came the first paid postmaster, whose job it was to receive mail and see that it got to the proper addresses. Stagecoach delivery of mail ends the program, with a model of the famous Wells Fargo coach, and mention of the Pony Express. Songs include “Green & Yellow Basket,” “Cotton Eye’d Joe” and “Yankee Doodle.”
Bash describes the value and beauty of the timber of our country, and how it helps hold the soil, gives cover for the animals, and is a valuable crop. Then she goes on a film expedition to an actual forest fire, showing the fire racing up the hillsides, destroying a forest, being fought by bucket, shovel, and even by planes bombing with chemicals before the fire is put out. Songs include “Mr. Rabbitt” and “Frog Went a Courtin’.”
The program describes the kinds of housing the early settlers built, from the earliest lean-to type, hastily thrown together to protest the people as soon as they landed on these shores, on through the way they learned to make thatched roofs, then later cut logs for building. The use of handmade bricks, and the change of ways in making fireplaces from the original stick-covered-with-mud ones to brick ones follows in the story. The various ways of building sturdy walls by notching of logs in various patterns and cuts is shown. Songs include “The Tailor and the Mouse,” “Little Mohee,” and “Cockels and Mussels.”
Bash traces the development of drama and entertainment from the medieval days of acrobats at fairs, to the present. She demonstrates use of early puppets and marionettes, speaks of the troubadours and minstrels, and describes the pantomimes of the Harlequin and Columbines. The Lillian Patterson dancers assist in presenting the pictures through dance and acrobatics, and Bash ends the program by taking a very modern merry-go-round ride. Songs are “The Little Marionette” and “Jumping Jack.”
Bash takes a trip to the mountains to watch a man make shakes for roofs, in the same manner that shakes were made when the first house were settled. The method hasn’t changed, except for the use of power saws instead of chopping with an axe. The skakemaker fells an 85-foot sugarpine tree, then with wedges and saws, reduces it to shakes for roofing homes. He demonstrates how he uses the same tools which have been in use for hundreds of years, and how carefully he measures and splits the shakes to make even roofs. Songs include “Hush Little Baby” and “Knick Knack.”
Bash talks about the real pirates who operated in American waters in the early days. Stories of the exploits of Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, and others describe the kind of life the pirates led as they traveled on the high seas, and the various operations of pirates and privateers. The hazards of sailing with a fully lade ship, with pirates waiting off the coast to take the vessel were a very real and exciting part of the early-day sailing ships. The ballads of “Golden Vanity” and “Henry Martin” describe in song the activities of pirates.
Examines new concepts of the word "fuel." Discusses and shows the atomic fuels uranium, plutonium, and thorium. Explains what atomic fuels are and where they are found. Describes the use of "magic metals" zirconium, beryllium, and halfium, in conjunction with atomic fuels.
Poindexter tells this Grimm fairy tale about an apprentice lad who starts for home with his wages and begins trading. He trades his gold for a horse, his horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and so on, until he has nothing.
Hand puppets tell the story of a colony of ants hard at work to store food for winter. Marry Ann Ant and Wilburforce are two young ants who hate to work and when the Grasshopper comes by with his funny musical instruments they want to stop and play. But the Queen Ant asks them to return to work and the Grasshopper goes off to play. Winter comes, and everyone is happy that they worked so hard to store food. The Ants find Mr. Grasshopper half-frozen in the snow and bring him in to get warm. The Queen orders him to work for his food by playing his musical instruments so that they can dance.
Tells the story of an imaginary cross-country trip in a covered wagon. Explains the preparation for the trip. Describes the difficulties encountered on such a journey. (KQED) Kinescope.
Bash describes the rugged life aboard an early day sailing vessel … the various chores of the crews, and the romance of sailing to faraway ports in search of cargoes. On film, Bash goes aboard the ship Blaclutha, showing the rigging, the tall masts, how the sailors climbed to the yardarms, and how they paced around the capstan, to pull up the heavy anchor chain. She visits the crew’s quarters, and demonstrates the various kinds of “scrimshaw,” the sailors’ handiwork of carving whalebone, knotting ropes for decoration, and making model ships.
The interesting development of roads, from a path through the forest which a horse could scarcely travel, on through the building of the roads which led westward, and which were used by the huge Conestoga Wagons for hauling freight. A model of the Conestoga Wagon is shown, and models of the various kings of roads, those made of logs, those of boards, and later the McAdam Road. The building of the Cumberland Road is described, and the life which centered around those who used the roads depicted. The early toll road is mentioned, and a tie-in made with the Turnpike of today. Song material includes, “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad,” “On Top of Old Smoky,” and “Low-Backed Car.”
Bash starts at the earliest meetings of groups of people, the church festival, and traces the development of gatherings on through the country fairs. The camp meetings of the Methodists give rise to the well-known rollicking song, “Methodist Pie.” The custom of bringing goods that were grown on the individual farm, and taking the family to the fair, to see new things, to buy things, and to meet with friends develops in to the country fair, with its gay decorations, its amusements, and its fund of knowledge. Contests are described, such as the athletic events of running and jumping and shooting, which the young men practiced, and the Patterson dance group dances to the song, “Camptown Races,” as they show how the sulkies sped around the track behind the trotting horses.
Tells the story of the deserted city of Columbia, California, one of the key Gold Rush towns in the 1850's. Describes the life and profession of people who went there seeking gold. Shows the old buildings and objects the people used at that time.
Clever Elsie really isn't very clever at all. Marionettes tell the story of Clever Elsie who sweeps with the broom upside down to keep from wearing out the straw. One day, Clever Elsie goes to the cellar to get some cider and she notices a pick-ax stuck in a beam. She begins to think that if she should ever marry and have a child and send him to the cellar for cider, the pick-ax might fall on his head and kill him and Elsie begins to cry. Her parents come to the cellar with Hans, who is looking for a clever wife, and Elsie tells them her story. Soon everyone is crying and Hans decides to marry Elsie because she is so clever.
This is the old favorite, "The Three Bears," with a whimsical touch by Tom Tichenor. The Baby Bear always forgets to do what he is told to do. He has a terrible time remembering instructions given him by Mother Bear. When the Three Bears go for a walk Baby Bear forgets to lock the door. Goldilocks finds the door open, helps herself to the porridge, breaks Baby Bear's chair, and goes to sleep on his bed. When the Bear family returns, they find her asleep. Frightened by the Three Bears, Goldilocks runs away and Baby Bear promises never to forget again.
Hand puppets tell the story of a lonesome couple who want children. The wife decides to make some gingerbread and makes it in the shape of a little boy. When she takes him out of the oven he comes to life. The gingerbread boy runs away from his new home and meets a worker in the field who tries to catch him. The Gingerbread boy meets a wolf, who offers to let him ride on his back across the stream. The little boy sits first on the wolf's tail, then on his back, and finally on his head. The wolf quickly eats the Gingerbread boy.
Hand puppets make this a lively story for the children. Tom Tichenor has written a new version with the violence deleted. Little Red Riding Hood is a cute little bunny, and when she goes through the woods to her grandmother's house she meets the wolf. When he learns where Red Riding Hood is going he tells her a "short cut" and then runs ahead to the grandmother's house. There, he hides grandmother, dresses in her clothes and gets into bed to wait for Red Riding Hood. Red Riding Hood discovers the trick as grandmother frees herself and they kill the wolf and sit down to enjoy wolf stew.
Marionettes are used to tell the story of a wife who longed for some rapunzels (cross turnips and rutabagas) which grow in a witch's yard. The husband agrees to give the witch his first child in exchange for the rapunzels, but does not tell his wife of this. Their first child is born and the witch comes for her and takes the child away to a tower and names the child Rapunzel.
Marionettes tell the story of a Prince who searches for a "real" princess to marry. One night when a storm was raging, a beautiful princess seeks shelter at his palace, she is disguised as a simple maiden. After dinner the Queen orders a room prepared for the maiden and puts twenty mattresses on the bed and a pea, a very small pea, on the bottom. The maiden discloses next morning that she was unable to sleep because the bed was so uncomfortable. The Queen and the Prince are convinced that she is a real princess and they arrange for the "Real" Princess and the Prince to be married immediately.
The Princess is a loveable lion cub who laughs constantly. Her father, a lion with raised eyebrows, decrees that a reward will be given to the one who can make his daughter cry. Many try but finally Delilah Duck comes to try her luck. Soon the Princess is heard crying and Miss Duck explains that all she did was peel an onion. Delilah receives the reward and the King has a daughter who can now laugh and cry.
This is Tom Tichenor’s new version of Jack and the Beanstalk. Animal marionettes tell the story. Jack Rabbit sells his cow for magic beans. His mother throws them out the window and a giant beanstalk grows up overnight. Jack Rabbit climbs the stalk to the Giant's castle and finds the Sun Bonney Bird which belongs to Jack's family before the Giant stole it. With the help of the Bird, Jack takes the money that belongs to him and runs down the beanstalk with the Giant in pursuit. Jack's mother and grandmother help him chop down the stalk and the Giant is killed. Jack's cow is returned to him because she won't stand on her head for anyone but Jack.
The tale of the foolish little chicken who is hit on the head by an acorn and thinks the world is falling in is told by Poindexter and his friends. How "Chicken Little" nearly starts a panic among the animals until a sensible friend stops them is the story for today.
This is the story of a king who offered a reward to anyone who could tell a story that never ends. Many try, but all fail. The King's herald, who is in love with the Princess, disguises himself as an old man and goes to the King to tell him a story that has no end hoping that his reward will be the hand of the Princess in marriage. His story lasts for over a month and finally the King decides that he doesn't like such long stories and grants him his wish to marry the Princess.
The country mouse visits his city cousin and decides that though life in the city is exciting, life in the country is safer. Poindexter and his friends act out the story.
Poindexter and his friends tells the story of the hare who boasts he can run faster than anyone. The tortoise, who is slow but sure, takes the challenge. Certain he can win, the hare takes a nap during the race and the tortoise wins.
The progress of sciences such as chemistry is due to the work of many great men. These men have made their mark in science by their curiosity and their efforts to understand natural laws. Some of these men and the fields in which they worked are: Sir Robert Boyle, properties of gases; Sir Isaac Newton, laws of motion; Antoine Lavoisier, analytical chemistry; Sir J. J. Thomson, discoverer of the electron; Jacobus von't Hoff, physical chemistry.
Marionettes in beautiful costumes and settings, tell the story of Marushka who is sent to the mountain in the winter to bring first violets, than strawberries and finally apples to her mother and sister. On each trip Marushka meets Father January and the other eleven months, who make it possible for her to find the things she seeks. Her mother and sister are very greedy and decide to accompany her to the mountains to find more apples. They do not heed Father January's warning and turn into snow.
Rico, whose mother sews hats for a living takes some hats to the fair to be sold. On the way, he stops for lunch and two monkeys who have run away from the circus start to play with his hats. After trying unsuccessfully to get the hats away from them, Rico discovers that they will do anything he does. He recovers the hats and sells all his hats at the fair. When he learns that the circus parade can't be held until the two monkeys are found, he takes the circus manager to the tree where he saw them and the two monkeys follow Rico into a cage. Back to the fair go the monkeys for the circus parade and Rico gets two tickets for the Circus.
Simpleton dreams of living in a palace. He takes the silver coin his mother has given him and sets out to seek his fortune. One day on the road, he meets a man with a goose and buys the goose to give the King. Two guards at the palace refuse to let Simpleton see the King until he promises to give them half of what the King gives him for the goose. The King is very pleased with the goose and asks Simpleton what he wants in return. Simpleton replies he wants a beating. When the King asks his reason for such a reward, Simpleton tells him of his treatment by the guards. The King orders the guards out of the palace and appoints Simpleton as a Royal member of the guard.
Marionettes are used to tell the story of a very vain King who orders a new suit for his parade. Two mice, one very clever, and one quite a dullard, plan to trick the king. They pretend to have some material that can’t be seen by anyone but those who are worthy of their office. The King and his Prime Ministers all pretend they can see the material rather than admit they are unfit for office.