Strange Sinema 9 at Oddball Films February 28, 2009

Event: “Strange Sinema” Oddities From the Archives, a monthly screening of newly discovered erotic, educational, movie trailers and super rarities from the stacks of Oddball Films’ 50,000 film archive. Bizarre films include “Age of Turmoil” (1953), “What You Should Know About Biological Warfare” (1951), “Taoism” (1981), “Police Defensive Tactics” (1973)and many more offbeat commercials, +kooky telephone films!
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 8:00PM
Venue: Oddball Films, 275 Capp Street, San Francisco
Admission: $10.00 RSVP Only to: 415-558-8117 or [email protected]
Web: http://oddballfilm.com/resources/events_parent.html

"Strange Sinema”
Oddities From the Archives
Screens at Oddball Films
Saturday, February 28th we present the ninth in a series of monthly “Strange Sinema” screenings from our unarchived collection. Last month’s screening revealed some really unique films so join us for more cinematic surprises. Showtime is 8:00PM and admission is $10.00. Seating is limited so RSVP is preferred to: [email protected] or 415-55-8117.

Deep in the stacks of Oddball Films’ 50,000 film collection lie hundreds of unviewed and undiscovered curiosities that have never seen the light of a projection lamp. In many cases the purpose they were made (though some seem to have no purpose!) has long since outlasted their exhibition possibilities.
These mundane, offbeat and even mystical, mental hygiene, adult, music, movie trailers, home movies and commercial throw-aways were collected and archived by curator Stephen Parr in his quest to make the world a stranger cinematic place. As historical detritus they provide valuable insight into the rich variety of sub-cinema culture that lies beneath the surface of conventional feature film fare. These are films that will, in all likelihood never be screened anywhere again. Join us as we unearth and re-screen these filmic finds never to reappear on dvd or any other format again.
Tonight we highlight our screening with a social guidance film masterfully produced by Crawley films in the early 1950s.
We’ll mix in some 70s commercials, a beautiful film about Taoism and a dumpster load of adult and other newly acquired films.-and one from the Oakland Police Department-made for police only!

Selected shorts include:
The Age of Turmoil (1953), An afternoon and evening in the complicated lives of six teenagers narrated by Bonanza TV star Loren Greene produced by Crawley Films. Ken Smith, author of “mental Hygiene”” says: “This film (part of the Adolescent Development series) was designed for the parents of teenagers -- perhaps its subject matter (adolescence) was considered too controversial for the kids who were experiencing it. Through a series of vignettes, the narrator (Lorne Greene) explains that "glandular changes" may make teens "have unrealistic ideas of their own future" and "seem to spend hours in completely useless activity."

“What You Should Know About Biological Warfare” (1951) Ray (ReidH.)
Film Industries, Sponsored by the U.S. Federal Civil Defense Administration. The title says it all but just in case terrorists attack you’ll know what to do. How can we protect ourselves against the threats of germs and toxins? Cold War America gears up to fend off threats from unconventional bioweapons. Get yer masks out!

“Taoism” (Color, 19With scenes of contemporary China as a background, author John Blofeld gives the essence of Taoism and explains its importance in developing the Chinese cultural character. This pristine print features gorgeous imagery of tiny shrines teetering on the edges of mountain cliffs, deep limestone gorges of the Yangste, the Great Wall and shots of everyday life in China. It's engagingly narrated by John Blofeld, famed author of a Taoism classic The Secret and the Sublime, who has spent the last 40 years in and around China, in monasteries with Taoist masters, absorbing its mysticism.
Tao is literally "The Way" is akin to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana but even closer to the Hindu idea of Satchidananda (pure consciousness) or Shakti (divine energy) and totally elusive to the intellect looking to hold it too firm. The Taoist does not consider God as a being but rather "beingness" itself. One important Taoist icon explained is the Yin Yang, symbol of the universal male/female energies and a unity at the heart of perpetual differences and flux.
The Tao is a central element of Chinese thinking which contemplates the unity existing at the heart of perpetual changes.

“Defensive Tactics, 3-Survival” (Color, Woroner Films, 1973)
This emotionally-charged 'police eyes only' film deals directly with the problem of extremist attacks, alerting the officer to techniques that may be used against him and offering suggestions on self defense techniques.
Meant for police training purposes only this “instructional” film focuses on situations of extreme and unexpected danger. Watch radical extremists (blacks, violent hippies, radicals) wielding knives, home-made flame-throwers, bottled acid, and other sinister weapons! The abstract for this howler says “It is not the purpose of this program to teach actual street fighting; but rather to explore the thinking of the adversaries the officer is likely to encounter in situations of this type and to point out the kind of violence they might practice against him. A firm understanding of the principles of balance and momentum is presented, with application to the intelligent and practiced use of 'personal' weapons such as hands, feet and elbows.”

“Emperor Norton “(1953) A reenactment of the life of one of San Francisco’s most amazing characters Emperor Norton. The self-proclaimed His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 proclaimed himself "Emperor of these United States” and "Protector of Mexico."
Although he had no political power, and his influence extended only so far as he was humored by those around him, he was treated deferentially in San Francisco, and currency issued in his name was honored in the establishments he frequented.

Though he was considered insane, or at least highly eccentric, the citizens of San Francisco celebrated his regal presence and his proclamations, most famously, his "order" that the United States Congress be dissolved by force (which Congress and the U.S. Army ignored) and his numerous decrees calling for a bridge and a tunnel to be built across San Francisco Bay. On January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed at a street corner, and died before he could be given medical treatment. The following day, nearly 30,000 people packed the streets of San Francisco to pay homage to Norton/Norton's legacy has been immortalized in the literature of writers Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson, who based characters on him.

Miss Universe 1955. Film star Tony Curtis narrates this Technicolor gem and politically incorrect display of cultural stereotypes. Wild lounge band sounds and some truly eye-popping moments!

Plus! Kooky commercials, “We Learn About the Telephone” and more!

Official Website: http://oddballfilm.com/resources/events_parent.html