Customer Reviews

Gizmo! [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sure, everyone knows Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, film projectors and the kinetophone and George Washington Carver came up with over three hundred uses for peanuts. Most maybe familiar with George Eastman and his invention of dry, transparent, and flexible film and Henry Ford's assembly line process, but what about that crank next door building a time machine? Who will recognize him?

Gizmo is a wonderful documentary about inventions of yesteryear and the perseverance of the human spirit. Complied from old newsreel footage, director Howard Smith presents us with all kinds of interesting, strange, odd, and completely wacky inventions along with people doing extraordinary and not so extraordinary things. Some of the best parts are the flying machines, from simple designs to really complex, intricate elaborations that you know will never get off the ground. What I really liked is that the inventions and feats are shown not with a critical eye or in a mocking tone, but just laid before you to let you come to your own conclusions. Another thing you'll notice is the music, as it seems to have been chosen with great care to accentuate the visuals very well.

Released in 1977, it gets shown on PBS every once in awhile, but I wish Warner would release it on DVD, as my VHS copy is showing its' age. If you're lucky enough to see this pop up somewhere, I highly recommend it, as it's very entertaining for everyone.

At first glance Gizmo appears to be about people with foolish ideas, and silly inventions that will never work. But as you continue to view the movie you realize it is actually about the indomitable human spirit. In the face of skepticism and ridicule, the people in this documentary persevere. Every failure brings a renewed effort to achieve success. At first you think these people are crazy, but by the end of the film you find yourself thinking that your life may have been richer if you knew them, or someone like them. These people may not have been scientific geniuses--but they are the stuff that truly makes this world worth living in--dreamers.
Over the years I have shown this film to many middle and high school classes and they loved it. At first they think it is silly, goofy, crazy, and insane, but it doesnt take them long to realize that the people in this film have a dream and that nothing will keep them from pursuing it.
It is a film that defines the human spirit and I highly recommend it for anyone, young and old alike.

I first saw this documentary on Saturday afternoon television about 20 years ago. It was a landmark production when it came out in the 1970s and it has lost nothing over the years. Any student of historical documentaries should see 'Gizmo".Using only archival film clips with some truly inspired original music (of all types)this beautiful piece of work manages to be both hilariously funny and fascinating.The overall message is clear i.e even the most brilliant inventions can have humble and sometimes bizarre origins.There's an element of humanity running throughout.The producers don't mock the star players - they pay tribute to them. Just a great example of the genre.

Technology was so close to solving these problems yet driven by their dreams they looked the other way. These inventions could never work and no one back then could tell them otherwise.You begin to feel sad and in some cases embarraced by their stupidity that they did persist with foolish ideas.The music enhances the sadness and the end scenes and music capture the entire feeling of the movie..."that dreams can come true"

I hope that this will be released as a DVD. It is a great movie for educators, history buffs and people interested in inventions.

This documentary composed of newsreel footage from the 30s and 40s and 50s features more laughs than most great comedies. The subject is inventions-- the most improbable and ludicrous inventions you've ever seen. Most are reported with great seriousness, which makes them all the more risible.

This glimpse into the past is good for all ages-- my son's watched it every year since he was 6 years old, and every year we sit down and watch it again. Try to catch it the next time it airs on late-night cable-- and tape it! It's not easy to find, but worth the effort.

20/20 showed clips from this film tonight & I bet there are people hoping to purchase it as a result...looks very interesting and certainly could inspire young inventors and risk-takers alike. I'd like to see it on DVD.

GIZMO is a delightful, comedic presentation of the human spirit of determination and the willingness to take physical risks to overcome obstacles. We certainly need more adventurers and risk takers to allow for more discoveries that surely will benefit humanity. The centuries old adage that fact is stranger than fiction is very much exemplified by the characters appearing in this film. The most bizarre fact is that this is actual footage without any actors and actresses performing the sometimes hilarious feats of human endurance.

The movie is wholesome entertainment that should bring about a laugh or two at a family gathering. It would also be a splendid tool for a motivational seminar. As a teacher myself, I would recommend this film as instructional material for a social studies class. Laughter is sometimes the best medicine, and GIZMO might be a remedy to the streesful lives we lead!

This short film is one of my favorite movies of all time, with all flaws and odd clips. It allows us to review some of the history of inventions from the standpoint of "normal" folks who have great imaginations. They fly, they try, they fail and try again! I love the failures as much as the successes and obvious preludes to those who also have imaginations, but finally get it right. One of my favorite parts is the tree climber. I really love this movie and would buy it in an INSTANT if it were on DVD. I already have it on VHS and love it just as much in each viewing. I'd also give it as gifts to my friends! Come on, someone (legal), put it on DVD! Then send me ordering information.

Great flick with some early examples of current ideas, such as buildering and parkour. The double talking voiceover, the clever use of music, and the eventual triumph of the hang glider all add up to a strangely moving experience. A DVD release would be welcome and is overdue.