Weather Wizards (1939)

Modern meteorology and a hard-working government weather team put their science and organization to work as a cold front moves from Alaska toward the citrus groves of Southern California. ... See full summary »

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo

Stars:

John Dilson, Bert Moorhouse, Alonzo Price

Cast

Uncredited cast:
John Dilson	...	California Meteorologist (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse	...	Weather Balloon Launcher (uncredited)
Alonzo Price	...	Mr. Morgan (uncredited)
Ruth Robinson	...	Mrs. Morgan (uncredited)
Pete Smith	...	Narrator (uncredited)
Will Stanton	...	Uncle Jim (uncredited)
Robert Winkler	...	Morgans' Son (uncredited)

Storyline

Modern meteorology and a hard-working government weather team put their science and organization to work as a cold front moves from Alaska toward the citrus groves of Southern California. First, the scientists predict the storm's course, giving several days' warning to farmers and growers. The growers, typified by the Morgan family, prepare the oil-burning pots throughout their grove. Then, as the temperature dips below freezing, they light the pots. The cold snap continues as oil-supplies dwindle; the smoky air slows traffic, including trucks bringing more oil. The scientists strive to predict how long freezing temperatures will last: can the Morgans hold out?

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Plot Keywords:

freezing | pot | scientist | cold | warning | 

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1939 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Very Well Done Short

Weather Wizards (1939)

*** (out of 4)

One of Bob Dylan's most famous lines is "you don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows" but I'm sure the family in this Pete Smith short would be happy to have that weather man. This short from the future director of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY talks about what happens when a cold front hits an orchard and farmers must fight to protect their crops from the frost. We see how the family works their magic as scientist and weather men try to determine how long the cold will be with them. Here's a perfect example of why I love shorts so much and why I feel they are so important and sadly not shown that often anymore. Here is a subject that I certainly wouldn't want to spend days reading a book on but for a nine-minute short it made for some great entertainment. Zinnemann handles the subject matter just right but the real credit goes to Smith and his perfect narration, which really adds some nice, tense moments.