Customer Reviews

Hemo the Magnificent [VHS]

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"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.

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.

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.

The study of science, especially back in the pre-space program days, was encouraged and assisted by many corporate sponsors. Bell Laboratories was foremost in this area. Hemo the Magnificent made biology come alive for many children. I still love watching this film today and I use it extensively to simplify the heart and circulatory system as I teach in an allied health post secondary school. I have never forgotten Dr. Baxter or Mr. Carlson as they jolly along with the cartoon animals and Hemo himself. It is interesting to note the opening scene with Mr. Carlson having a cigarette dangling casually from his mouth and to espy such antiquated medical modalities as leg braces and the iron lung used so long ago during the polio epidemics. Nevertheless, Hemo is as fresh and pertinent to science students today as it was 45 years ago. It is unfortunate that Rhino no longer prints this wonderful film.

As a child I marveled at the way the circulatory system was shown in "Hemo". Now as a teacher I still marvel at it's simplicity and timeless delivery. As a nurse, I see a way to educate people, again in a timeless form. Patient and student education is much easier because of it. Too bad other video's are not as efficient. The vocabulary used and the method of communication is excellant.

I love this video. I remember watching it in junior high, then again in high school. Now I teach science, and I wondered how I could obtain these films for use in my own classes. I was thrilled to see them for sale through the internet, because I could not find them in stores. Too bad they can't make videos this good today.

The presentation of scientific facts along with live action and cartoon characters is very entertaining for children and can be educational for even adults. This was one of the films I used to see in junior high school during the 70's. It brought back memories of my younger days but for my 3 year old daughter it is a very fun and educational video even though she may not grasp all the concepts presented. Actual film footage of beating human and animal hearts is presented so be forewarned if you're a little squeamish about such things. Dr. Baxter not only presents scientific facts but also touches on the philosophical and theological wonders of the heart, blood, and the circulation system.

I LOVE this video! I had seen it only two times as a child (5th & 6th) but as an adult I went to the local library and pulled it out of the archives so my kids could enjoy it and guess what... I remembered the whole movie, how the brain operator sends a signal to the musclemen to get the heart pumping, why our blood is blue, what adrenaline is, how the nervous center works etc. all while watching as the doctor casually smokes during the presentation. It is truly amazing how a classic from my youth had such an impact on me, it is the only movie I remember from my school years.

This is frankly the best educational film EVER!
It stars the marvelous Dr Frank Baxter , Richard Carlson (cigarette smoking man in the picture) from "The Creature from the Black Lagoon", Sterling Holloway (the Disney legend THE original Winnie the Pooh and Kaa from Jungle Book) and of course HEMO.....Hemo is the best educational film EVER- This movie has inspired and continues inspire generations of health professionals- Imagine today's Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Dentists, Paramedics as 6th graders sitting on the floor in their Toughskins watching Hemo for the first time. Nobody teaches the LUBDUBS like HEMO [its all in the valves]! HEMO also shows us why we breathe, why we faint when we stand for too long, why we stretch each morning, how boxers get knocked out, vagal and sympathic systems and MUCH MUCH MORE! When I watch Hemo as an adult health professional I am amazed at how well it stands up and how much solid info is packed into this 55 minute masterpiece!
I am so happy that i transferred my copy to DVD- Too bad Rhino hasn't released it on DVD yet- My copy looks great!

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This was my favorite childhood educational film. I always learned something new each time it was viewed.