Sterling Holloway in Frank Capra's Hemo The Magnificent (1957)

This is another post suggested by my friend Carol. It's part of a series of films made for television in the 50's and early 60's by the Bell Telephone System. All of them explore different aspects of science for a junior audience. As we explore the wonders of Hemo (Greek for blood), we learn not only about the life giving substance, but also the system that circulates it through the body. Along the way we meet members of the animal kingdom who serve as the audience for Dr. Research (Frank C. Baxter) and Mr. Fiction Writer (Richard Carlson) who explain the ins and outs of circulation and the nature of blood. It's not all sunshine and puppy dogs, however. Hemo isn't at all sure that science is the best discipline to explain him with, and refers to the circulatory system as "just plumbing."Sterling Holloway has a short, uncredited cameo as the projector operator at the beginning of the film. Also listen for the voices of Mel Blanc and June Foray in the animated sequences. If you're at all squeamish about peering inside the human body, then be prepared to look away.

This production and many of the other Bell Telephone science programs are available on DVD. Hemo is paired with one called Unchained Goddess. It's also available in full on YouTube. Part one (of two) is above.

Obscurity factor: 8 (on DVD and YouTube, remembered by some, otherwise largely forgotten)

Jean Worthley in Hodgepodge Lodge (1970)

Obscurity factor: 8

This public TV series from the 70's was instrumental in bringing the wonders of nature to children who didn't usually have the opportunity explore it. Produced by its host, Jean Worthley for Maryland public television, each week it featured a different aspect of nature, from pine cones to groundhogs. Jean was sort of like a naturalist Mr. Rogers with her quiet demeanor and kind way.

In the clip above, Miss Jean's friend Michael brings his pet groundhog in to show the other children. It's uploaded by Michael himself - MikeLuck1964. The series isn't available on DVD and there is little web video of it out there. It is remembered by many who were children in the 70's, however, like me.

Obscurity factor: 8 (not on DVD, hard to find, fondly remembered by kids of the era)

Burgess Meredith in Discover America (1967)

Obscurity factor: 10

Before there was the PBS "Above" series (Above Sicily, Above Long Island) of helicopter flight overviews of different locals, there was this film. As obscure as obscure can be, Discover America was produced by United Airlines to coincide with an ad campaign of the same name and narrated by Burgess Meredith. It was released by Paramount, but I have no information on where it was shown, whether it was a theatrical release or used on television. Other than the poster below, there is only one reference to it on the web, on the British Film Institute website. If anyone has seen it or knows a place to view it, let me know.

MoviePosterShop.com

There is very little trace of this film, which is a shame. It's such a great record of the US at that time. It's not on any video sites that I can find, and is, of course, not available on DVD.

Obscurity factor: 10 (not on DVD, not available on the internet, almost totally forgotten)