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Frank Capra ProductionsOur Mr. Sun (1956)

From the description in Rick Prelinger's Field Guide to Sponsored Films:
Popular scientific film directed by Frank Capra that launched the Bell System Science series. Combining animation and live action, Our Mr. Sun uses a scientist-writer team to present information about the sun and its importance to humankind. NOTE: Produced in Technicolor, the film was originally telecast in 1956 and 1957 to 9 million homes; some 600 16mm prints were distributed to schools and community organizations through the Bell Telephone System film libraries.


This movie is part of the collection: A/V Geeks

Producer: Frank Capra Productions
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: sun; bell science series; science; animation

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: LeGrande - - September 13, 2009
Subject: A rare moment of mobility for Barrymore
By this time, Lionel Barrymore's arthritis had basically made him wheelchair-bound, so it's refreshing to see him standing and making a few steps here and there. I can only imagine the pain he was going through, but you could never tell it in the film. While it is over 50 years old, most of the information is still very relevant and accurate. The cartoon features about thermonuclear reactions, chlorophyll production, and silicon-solar-cell derived electricity are excellent review for anyone young or old. It gets preachy at the end, but in 1950s Cold-War America, many attempts were made to show that one big difference between us and the Soviet Union was our religious beliefs and their lack of religion. It was during this time in US History that the words "Under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance. So I understand the quote from Psalms and the admonition of the Scientist to pray as part of the political climate of the time. An excellent film, worth watching over and over.

Reviewer: clearwoodlouis - - March 7, 2009
Subject: Thanks, Mr. Sun
It was like walking down memory lane to watch this film, which I may have seen in my grade school science class. I appreciated the religious content toward the end, but I guess it would not be a hit in our general educational climate of seperation of church and state. These films are entertaining and instructive.

Reviewer: MensaProfEngr - - May 29, 2008
Subject: Fantastic Scientific Investigation, Proving the Sun's Awesome Power
Everyone watching this factual account, albeit earlier science, must attest to the awesome power of the sun, and it's changing effects on our meager planet. To this awesome powerhouse, humans are one insignificant effect. Due to the Sun, our planet has frozen and fried. We're just somewhere in the middle at present.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - March 17, 2008
Subject: Zzzzzz...
After watching the amazing "Thread Of Life", I was all pumped for this one! But it's very dissapointing! I really liked the scientist guy in "Thread Of Life", he returns, but he's asked to act, which is not a very good idea. He's teamed with Eddie Albert, which somewhat helps, but then again, they're also acting with a giant animated sun, which somewhat brings the interest down.. a lot. Not too sure why this structure doesnt work, but it drags on faaaaaar too long (an hour!) and is quite dull.