Customer Reviews

Bell Science: Unchained Goddess, Bell Telephone Science Series [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this video to entertain my 9th grade science students about weather. The video is especially great at modeling the coriollus effect and high and low pressure systems. It also is great to see the "old" technology and compare with the new.

"Meteora: The Unchained Goddess" was the fourth film in the Bell Science Series and introduces young viewers to the Goddess of Weather and her companions Wind, Clouds and Rain. This 1956 film, co-directed by Frank Capra and William T. Hurtz, stars Dr. Frank Baxter and horror movie star Richard Carlson ("The Creature From the Black Lagoon"). As with the rest of these beloved films from elementary school, the lessons are taught through a combination of live footage of hurricane, tornadoes, and the like with animation by Shamus Culhane. Yes, we have learned more in the almost half-century since "Unchained Goddess" first made its way into the classroom, but this is still a fundamentally sound introduction to young students for this topic, even if we me the nostalgic value outweighs the educational value. Note: I was surprised to learn that Dr. Frank, who introduced me to such scientific topics as the sun ("Our Mr. Sun"), heredity ("The Thread of Life"), and my favorite, blood ("Hemo the Magnificent"), was not a scientist but an English Professor from USC.

I love these videos. I saw them as a kid in grade school. Seeing this one again, I am particularly struck by the suggestion of creating oil slicks and even burning oil slicks in an attempt to steer hurricanes away.