Product Details

• Actors: Richard Carlson, Frank Baxter, Mel Blanc, June Foray, Sterling Holloway
• Directors: Frank Capra, William T. Hurtz
• Writers: Frank Capra
• Producers: Frank Capra, Joseph Sistrom
• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Wea Corp
• VHS Release Date: October 17, 1991
• Run Time: 54 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302182484
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,484 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Ingenious Blend of Art and Science, January 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hemo the Magnificent [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Hemo the Magnificent" is a story of a scientist trying to convince a skeptical Greek god and his forest friends about the reality and wonder of how the heart works. And in so doing we are convinced; we find ourselves awestruck over the ingenuity and beauty of nature.

One of the great things about "Hemo" is that it takes a fairly complex subject matter and makes it understandable and entertaining. I can imagine even a pre-schooler learning something from it.

I first saw this film in grade school in the late 60's, and lastly in college while getting my health science degree. It never seemed dated even though it was made in the 50's.

Educational films today seem dry and unemotional in comparison, as if producers were ashamed to show more than an academic view of their subject. It is unfortunate that no one makes films today the way Frank Capra and the Bell Science series did.

Even today when I hear Beethoven's Eroica symphony (which was its soundtrack), my first thought is of that great film. I would recommend this to anyone, especially to parents and teachers.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most cherished education film from our elementary days, December 25, 2001

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hemo the Magnificent [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It is nice to know our childhood memories are being preserved even if we do not remember how many times we were shown "Hemo the Magnificent" or any of the other films in the Bell Science Series. This was always my favorite as Dr. Frank Baxter and Richard Carlson teach us all about the human circulatory system by engaging in some friendly banter with Hemo, who looks like a Greek god, and his animal friends. My clearest memory of this video is that the film broke or we had to change reels after Dr. Frank was challenged by Hemo to prove he knew about the origins of blood. The answer (yes, I saw you had your hand up) is "Sea Water." I do not know what else I remember from elementary school in New Jersey, but I know that blood has its origins in seawater. We also get to learn about why blood is colored red, why the hearts of smaller animals beat so much faster than large animals, and lots of other fun stuff I had pretty much forgotten. Directed by William T. Hurtz with animation by Shamus Culhane, this 1957 film was produced by Frank Capra, which probably explains why it worked so well. Along with "Mary Poppins" and "The 300 Spartans," "Hemo the Magnificent" is one of my fondest movie memories from my youth. I am so glad this is still available and am not at all surprised that those fine people at Rhino, who gave us the Smother Brothers and the Monkees on CD, are providing this videotapes as well. Final note: I am not bothered at all that as the years go by I am looking more and more like Dr. Frank.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful old film!, January 16, 2001

By 

G. Bonne "bontemps6" (TX ,United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hemo the Magnificent [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I think I watched "Hemo" every year in school from the 4th through 12th grades! These great old Bell labs films planted a love of science in me that I have never recovered from! The basic scientific principles presented are still valid; and there's nothing wrong in presenting information in a hopeful, positive, and patriotic fashion. And as far as not being politically correct; somehow I managed to miss out on the "message" that only men were scientists or educated. I have ordered the entire series for my children to watch (girls!); and am positive that they will reap the same benefits I did. Wish they still made them like this.