Panorama Ephemera (2004)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Rick Prelinger

Writer:

Rick Prelinger (story)

Plot:

Collage of sequences drawn from a wide variety of ephemeral (industrial, advertising, educational and amateur) films...

Plot Keywords:

Experimental Film

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Company:

The Prelinger Archives

Trivia:

With the exception of the opening and closing credits, this film was compiled entirely from assorted industrial, advertising, educational and amateur films.

Should have been campier

Too often "Panorama Ephemera" comes across as being "The Atomic Cafe" except without any point or running theme. Despite a few hilarious sequences, this collection of ephemeral film clips should have been campier. Where was any of the good stuff about the days of misinformation on sex and drugs? Or those kitschy home appliance advertisements from the fifties? Rick Prelinger has so much great stuff in his archive, but this compilation seems to represent the more mediocre offerings.

Still, some of the segments are entertaining. The home safety film where the woman appears in a kid's home to give them tips on what they did wrong looks like a classic. Also, the "Children's Fears" film looked like "The Good Son" except a goof forty years prior! Many of the other clips offer an interesting glimpse into how these films painted the American way of life but often fall short of campy giggles. Plus, Prelinger isn't exactly a first class editor and the film eventually became a bit tiresome. A noble effort, I await Prelinger's next compilation and know it will be an improvement. This man has done some great stuff with his archives. Better luck next time. (5/10)