AV Geeks 16mm Lunch 6-5-2025

Thank you National Archive for that uh short film called How to Shut Up a Quarrelome Wife. Um, we do not condone the uh behavior portrayed in that film, which is more than 100 years old. Um, but it's sure funny nonetheless. Anyways, I'm Skip Alzheimer and we watch old 16mm films. Uh, we cheated. That's a 35mm film. And sometimes that's what happen is we cheat a little bit because visually there there's something about it that is like, oh, that's interesting. That's a curio. I think the people that watch our show would dig that. Uh, and so yesterday I was getting over some sort of stomach bug or something. I don't know what it was. It might have come from my travels uh to Charlotte and doing two shows and being surrounded by a bunch of people and then being on a train. Like maybe I caught something. I don't know. But I'm doing better today. But I slept a lot. So a lot of the films today are about sleep and about beds. Some stuff we've seen before, some of what we haven't. So, here's and so to sleep. It's been a while since I've shown this. I enjoy it very much. [Music] Enjoy. This is sleep. Sleep. A familiar phenomenon that has never been fully explained. No one knows why we sleep, but all of us know it's quite impossible to go without it for very long. It's much easier to go hungry or thirsty than to go without sleep. Take this fellow here. All he can think about at the moment is sleep. Has to do a place to curl up as sleepy folks have always done. The first written record of beds is in the Bible dating from about 521 BC in the book of Esther. If our sleepy friend had lived those several hundred centuries ago, he might have made his bed of pillows piled on the floor at night and used as seats during the day. [Music] Or had he lived in Roman times, this bench-like structure with a thin pad for a mattress would have served him as his bed. These were often ornate and costly and laid with rare woods, ivory, or bone. Marco Pola describes a bed used in India which might well have been the forerunner of the bunk bed. Fashioned of light cane and attached to ropes, the beds were raised at night to escape insects and snakes. Though undoubtedly practical at the time, this bed was hardly safe. Yet, our word bed comes from an ancient Indo-Uropean word meaning a dugout place for safe resting. On the other hand, the hearty Spartan Vikings introduced the feather bed and slept the long winter nights in warmth when most of the rest of the world was still sleeping either on the ground, thin mats, or pillows. [Music] [Music] That's very frustrating. Um, I have to hunt that film down and see if I can rescan it and uh what the deal with the soundtrack is. Besides a firm, thick longwearing mattress man, good workmanship. One second. Oh, it kind of comes back. skillfully carefully tied. All right. So, this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to skip ahead on that. I'm sorry. Technical [Music] difficulties. This is sleep. Sleep. Thick, longwearing mattress. We demand good workmanship. The edges reinforce so they won't break down under continual use. Sturdy handles for turning the mattress. And inside, skillfully, carefully tied tempered steel springs for firmness and [Music] [Music] resiliency. Real resiliency, not just a bounce effect. Not very comfortable. Did you get a new box spring when you wash your mattress? Maybe that's the trouble. It's a good idea, you know, for a simple reason. The box spring is actually the foundation on which you sleep. It supplies about 1/3 the total resilient support of your bedding when used with an inner spring mattress and about 2/3 when used with a solid core mattress. If your springs sag, they'll make your mattress sag, too. And no matter how good your mattress is, your sleep will suffer. When you think that you spend a third of your life in sleep, the necessity for a good mattress and good box springs is apparent. With a new box spring, not only does the covering or ticking match the mattress, but each spring in the mattress is matched by a corresponding coil in the box spring which accompanies it. In every detail, they are made for each other. We rest our brains as well as our bodies when we sleep. Comfort. That's what we're after. That's right. When you're looking for a mattress, don't just look. Try it out. A good mattress is firm but resilient. And you now have a whole range of sizes to choose from. Twin, double, queen size, king size, and even round [Music] beds. That's a good idea, too. Check the label of a mattress. You'll find it spells out for you what's beneath the ticking, so you know what you're buying. Here you will find a description of the filling material and assurance that the unseen parts are clean, made of good substances, and according to the [Music] law. Of course, the mattress shouldn't have a hard slab type surface that distorts rather than supports your body. Ideally, your weight should be distributed evenly and supported evenly, and it should support your weight without letting you sink too far into the surface. [Music] [Applause] [Music] At last sleep, as the English poets are Philip Sydney pointed out, come sleep, oh sleep. The certain knot of peace, the baiting place of wit, the bomb of woe, the poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release, the indifferent judge between the high and low. Yes, sleep may be a mystery, but it's no mystery why for nine of 10 people, sleep comes sooner, better on a cool, comfortable, cotton cushioned inner spring mattress. Mattress made with sleepy people in mind. [Music] This is asleep and so is this. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] Very strange. Um, yeah. Like I guess we're having audio problems today. I'm not quite sure, but uh today there's a mild theme which is uh beds, bedrooms, mattresses, sleeping, uh stuff like that. So hopefully this next film won't be problematic. Uh enjoy. See where we are. The fire test you are about to see was conducted at the National Bureau of Standards in a 10 by6 ft simulated patient sleeping room. The mattress is composed of a latex core with a polyvinyl chloride impregnated fabric cover. The bed was made up with cotton polyester sheets and spread. The pillow was composed of chopped polyurethane foam. The window curtains were of a fire retardant treated material. A smoke detector and two sprinkler heads were mounted on the ceiling so that their operation could be observed and timed. Small fabric samples were used to determine the time at which full room involvement occurred. The fire was ignited in a plastic waste basket containing a plastic liner and waste paper. The waste basket was placed adjacent to the bed. The waste basket has now been ignited. The left of your screen is approximately 15 seconds slow. At 15 seconds into the fire, the flames appear just over the surface of the bed. The smoke detector on the ceiling has now operated. The smoke detector is being removed from the room for use in further experimentation. The burning of the plastic trash can close to the floor can be noted underneath the bed. It is now 1 minute into the test. The plastic trash basket has now collapsed and there is no flame contact from the trash basket with the bed. Everything that is burning is bedding material. A very light white smoke has built up into the room at a level of 4 ft above the floor. The flames are now approximately 2 ft above the surface of the bed. It is now 2 minutes into the test and the smoke being produced still has a white color. The ceiling temperatures are approximately 100° F measured directly over the bed. The flames are now receding slightly. It is now 3 minutes into the test and the flames have receded to approximately 6 in above the bed. Only the edge of the bed is involved. The fire has spread laterally along the side of the bed where the primary ignition occurred. [Applause] The light smoke condition can be seen in the smoke meter at the 5-ft level in the doorway. [Applause] The fire is now progressing across the surface of the bedding materials in the direction of the pillow. It is now 4 minutes into the test. The pillow has now become ignited. The ceiling temperatures are still less than 100° F. The pillow is now actively burning. Flame propagation across the surface of the bed has now reached approximately the middle directly under the ceiling thermouple. Approximately 1/3 of the pillow is involved and the flames are approximately 1 and 1/2 ft above the bed. It is now 5 minutes into the test and the pillow fire is developing rapidly. The flames over the pillow are now approximately 2 1/2 ft high. The ceiling temperature directly over the bed is 250° F. The temperature measured adjacent to the bed is 100° F. A fast response 135° Fahrenheit sprinkler has just operated at 5 minutes and 37 seconds into the test. [Applause] It is 6 minutes into the test and the smoke in the room is becoming very black. This indicates that the mattress core has become involved in the fire. The 165 degree sprinkler head has now operated. The ceiling temperature is 400°. The temperature at 5 feet adjacent to the bed is 230 degrees and the temperature at the 5- foot level in the doorway is 75° F. The smoke has become very heavy in the doorway, almost excluding the light from the smoke meter above the clock. It is now 7 minutes into the test and full involvement of the bed and materials and the mattress core has been achieved. The ceiling temperature is 800°. The temperature adjacent to the bed is 400° and the doorway temperature still remains at 75° F. [Applause] The smoke is now down to approximately 26 in above the floor level. The doorway temperature is approximately 380° Fahrenheit at the 5- FFT level. It is now approaching 8 minutes into the test and flames are beginning to appear in the doorway opening. The sprinkler system has been manually activated and the fire is being extinguished at this time. This test presents a startling picture of the speed at which fire can grow. Although this represents only one set of test conditions, similar conditions do exist and fires of this nature have occurred. It is interesting to note that only approximately 1/ half of the mattress in this fire was consumed during the duration of the test. So yes, that was some shenanigans on my behalf. Um I I claim total responsibility for that. I uh was looking for things with bed or mattress and whatever my collection and also national archives and uh so battle in the bedroom came up and I was like wait a minute we haven't shown this. let me see how how uh naughty this film gets. And it's naughty, but it's not. It's incredibly playful and silly. So, I was like, "Yeah, I'll show this." And I was like, "Ooh, I have this other film from the National Archives called Mattress Fire Test, and it is incredibly dull considering that it is about a fire." So, I was like, "What what would happen if I combine the two?" And there you go. That's what that was. All right. This is from the Pringer archive. We've been they've been scanning a bunch of stuff recently, uh, which is very exciting. I'm helping them get stuff up at Internet Archive and also they have their own official YouTube channel. Uh, and so this will be a film that will show up there at some point. This is Terrible, Strange Bed. Enjoy. Is then that we are in danger. Unmask a friend and you may find yourself staring into the face of death. Even so, in today's story by that mass suspense, Wilky Collins, our scene, a tavern in France, a friendly haven where a traveler may stop by and have a drink and observe the local customs. Places, please. [Music] The wine. The wine. Where's the wine? Coming. Coming. Hurry. You drink faster than I can pour. Got it again. Always have this kind of luck. This is yours, sir. I had been persuaded by a few of the local patrons to join them in a friendly game of cards. Feel the cards. As the evening progressed, and I, instead of being gracious enough to lose my money, enjoyed a phenomenal run of luck, the atmosphere chilled quite noticeably. I learned from their glances that they had hoped to fleece me without mercy. But I knew a trick or two myself. Beat that if you can. I've had enough. So have I. Sorry, gentlemen. Sorry. Perhaps some other time. [Music] Uhhuh. I was going to pick them up like girl. All right, pick them up then. Put it back on the table. I assure you, Mr. I never intended to. The police would like to hear what you never intended. The police? No. I Please, let's forget the incident. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Well, I hope you won't regret your generosity. You saw his face when I mentioned the police. Oh, is no harm done. Thanks to you, sir. I I owe you a debt of gratitude. I don't know how I can repay you. Forget it. Forget it. Gentlemen must stick together, right? All right. My name is Thompson. Henry Thompson. I know you. Captain Paul Desern, formerly of the Grand Army of France. Perhaps you gentlemen would care for a drink. Excellent. Hello. Will you join me? Be a pleasure. Thank you. I hereby award you the liquid medal of honor. [Music] [Music] What is it you Males, I compliment you on your charming self and your charming talent and on your charming cognac. Very hell of the bottle. No, no, no, no. Take the word of an old soldier, Mr. Thompson. Coffee. Here, with this money, you'll need all your wits about you on your way home tonight. He's right. There may be danger in the street. Danger? I can assure you, madam, that I can take care of myself. Am I not prepared for [Music] danger? Joseph, give it back to him. Hey, I uh I think you better put that away. Yes, I suppose. No, no, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Not like that. Yeah, let me show you. Yeah, this the bills there. There we are. Now by this corner and there we are safe for the night for you captain. Oh thank you and for you. Uh thank you. Hello you have very good health at a safe journey home. What's the matter? Well, you know, I feel quite faint. Perhap you can give me the street. Yes. Yes. Madame Meliss He can't go out in the streets like this, especially not with the money. There's an empty room upstairs, miss. Yes, but you can stay here for the night. I think it would be wise. [Music] Uh, yes. Joseph, help the gentleman upstairs. The vacant room at the end of the [Music] hall. All right, all right. I'll be all right now. That's all right. Good night, Joseph. Good night. Good night. [Music] Oh [Music] god. Ah. now to sleep. But sleep would not come. I had no idea how long I lay there. My head reeling, my whole body numb, unable to move, unable to sleep. To steady myself, I began to take a sort of inventory of my surroundings. Ah, that dark old portrait. Man wearing an odd plumemed hat. How many feathers were there? Five, all [Music] told. The fireplace, the chair with my jacket where I had tossed it on the way to bed. That was all. Nothing of any interest whatever. And even that, except for that odd little feathered hat, what had become of it? Had the picture moved higher on the wall or [Applause] [Music] clumsy fool. Clean it up. [Music] Well, It's done. In the morning, we'll throw his body in the river as we did the others. Where's the money? There it is. Get it. I wouldn't touch that if I were you. Stand back, both of you. But mir we thought I know what you thought madam but unfortunately your coffee was not drugged as expertly as usual. It kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep as you intended. Careful captain. This murderous bed of yours operates as smoothly as your tongue. Or shall we say as smoothly as the guillotine. Shall we go? [Music] Great. A twist. We love a twist. Um, yeah, that was uh I don't know anything about that. That might have been a series for television. I'm guessing it was probably for television giving the length of it, but um yeah, pretty great. All right. Um, what am I wanting to do here? I decided that I'm going to instead of showing you this 30 minute film about how to make a bed, um I'm going to instead show you this film that we've seen before, but it's still pretty great. It's uh part of the uh Screen Science Digest and um it is sleep mysterious third of our lives. Enjoy. [Music] Each of us spends onethird of our lives sleeping and dreaming. Yet for centuries, artists, philosophers, and others have struggled to understand and interpret this universal experience. Why do we fall asleep? How much sleep do we need? Why can't we stay awake when we want to? Why can't we go to sleep when we want to? And why do we have to sleep at all? In fact, a person who could escape the periodic need for sleep could add 20 or more productive years to his life. [Music] By contrast, medical surveys indicate that at least 1/3 of all individuals have suffered a type of insomnia or unwanted sleeplessness at some time in their lives. Other sleepreated health disorders are also widespread but often go undiagnosed, becoming sources of both pain and self- torment. Only within the last 20 years have researchers begun to probe the scientific mysteries of sleep. This report profiles some of the activities and findings of one notable study organization, the Sleep Research and Treatment Center of the Milton S. Hershey Hospital at Pennsylvania State University. [Music] [Music] Today, at more than 30 centers in the United States, as well as Mexico City, Quebec, Canada, and other locations, scientists and physicians are investigating the nature of sleep and dreams. One leading facility, the Sleep Research and Treatment Center of Pennsylvania State University, is organized around three interrelated activities. A sleep research laboratory carrying out fundamental investigations into the scientific nature of sleep and of sleep related medical disorders. [Music] A sleep disorders clinic providing diagnosis and treatment for people with sleepreated health problems. Its test records and comprehensive case histories have also suggested new hypotheses about sleep behavior and extensive educational programs, scientific exhibits, audiovisisual training aids, symposia and workshops all aimed at providing physicians with conclusions and recommendations for use in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The center both conducts scientific investigations of normal sleep and tries to find ways to better diagnose, treat, and cure sleep related medical problems. By thus studying all aspects of sleep, the experts hope to better comprehend its total nature. One major area of research is insomnia, which includes difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too easily or too often. About onethird of all people have suffered from one or more of these problems over long periods in their lives. Though sleeping pills are often prescribed for insomnia, center studies have shown that patients may quickly develop a tolerance for them, which can in time lead to even more serious problems such as drug dependency. In response, center experts have helped other researchers in perfecting sleep inducers for which acclamation takes much longer. Each case of insomnia, however, has its own underlying causes. most often psychological. Unfortunately, most individuals tend to deny that emotional factors may be causing their sleeplessness, making their treatment more difficult until the personal problem is somehow understood. Meanwhile, research continues on this major social loss and personal misfortune. [Music] A second sleepreated medical disorder is sunambulism or sleepwalking. This research film made at the University of California shows a child sleepwalking even though his eyes appear to be open. Perhaps 15% of all children have at least one such sleepwalking episode before they are 16. If such a case of synambulism is suspected, a physician should be contacted at once. Fortunately, most individuals, including this one, eventually outgrow the [Music] problem. A third notable sleepreated medical problem is narcolepsy. repeated and uncontrolled sleep attacks which last for short periods. These attacks may occur at any time or place without warning. Narcolepsy, while relatively rare, is more common than multiple sclerosis or musculardrophe. This film sequence made at the Pennsylvania State University Sleep Center shows a patient suffering from narcolepsy who is about to have an attack under controlled conditions. This setting was chosen so her fall would be cushioned. Narcolepsy is a disease which may start in adolescence. Attacks are often triggered by strong emotion. In this case, happiness. Though its pattern of symptoms has been recognized, it is still often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed with unfortunate results. Here is a second view of the same attack. The American Narcolepsy Association, recently formed in San Francisco, was organized to provide education and assistance to both physicians and strickened individuals. This film segment made with a concealed camera shows another emotion-triggered attack and the reactions of the patients family. Here is the same attack again. This film begins to suggest how an undiagnosed narcolepsy case can lead a troubled and even tragic existence while putting a great emotional strain on his family and [Music] friends. Fortunately, a suspected narcolepsy case can now be quickly verified. And while no cure exists at present, several types of chemotherapy are available. Narcolepsy exemplifies the need for increased medical education and research into sleepreated health problems. Besides its medical functions, the center also carries out scientific studies to better understand sleeping and dreaming. Until the 1950s, sleep was thought to be a simple, unchanging, resting state. In 1953, however, two researchers at the University of Chicago charted periods of rapid eye movements during sleep. Their delicate sensors recorded the involved muscular activity even though the subject's eyelids were closed. They also showed that this rapid eye movement sleep or REMM or REM sleep occurs only during dreaming. In addition, they concluded that individuals dream at intervals almost every night. They seldom recall these dreams, however, unless awakened immediately afterward. [Music] [Music] One key instrument of the Pennsylvania researchers and other sleep experts is the multi-channel polygraph machine whose sensors record the body's electrical [Music] activity. Electrodes taped to the top of the head measure the brain's electrical activity, its so-called brain waves. Other electrodes above, below, and at both sides of the eyes pick up eye movements. Chin electrodes test muscle tone or tension. All data from the electrodes is automatically recorded and stored in a computer. During each of the clinic studies, the physicians and scientists explain every step in their investigations to the involved volunteer subjects and patients. In a typical study, it takes 2 days for a subject to become accustomed to the electrodes, two more days to get the normal or baseline readings. On the fifth day, the actual research project can commence. In some cases, radio transmitters like this one are used to beam data from research subjects living away from the [Music] center. Studies have found that sleep consists of several different levels of awareness or consciousness, REM or dreaming sleep, and four levels of ever deeper unawareness. On a typical night, a person's sleep pattern starts with very light sleep, which gradually deepens. REM or dreaming sleep begins after an hour followed by more deep sleep then more dreaming. The various levels alternating through the night. This complex pattern of consciousness called a sleep cycle differs for each person and also changes as they grow older. [Music] These three charts show typical sleep cycles for a child, a young adult, and an elderly person. Note that the amount of dreaming remains constant, though dream content varies with [Music] age. In general, research suggests that dreams tend to be related to current emotional needs. In young children, for example, many dreams are undisguised wish [Music] fulfillments. This brief introduction to the Pennsylvania State University Sleep Research and Treatment Center suggests some of the problems and potentials of this vast new scientific frontier. For it is not oblivion that is being studied, but rather some of the subtle unseen forces that shape and limit and govern each of our lives. [Music] Um, not to make fun of people with narcolepsy, but that whole scene with the family and the dad getting up to yell at the kid and then just flopping over is crazy. It is absolutely crazy. And the impact of that is it's it's slapstick, but it is also really I mean to be in that family and your dad is mad at you and then he just passes out. I mean the impact of like the kids must have been on eggshells. All right, one last film. Uh and this of course we're falling back to Sleeping Beauty, of course. Enjoy. Once upon a time there was a beautiful fairyland kingdom. In the middle of this land was a castle. centuries stood watch at its uttermost [Music] wall. Their good king worked very hard making laws and proclamations. His chancellor helped him out. The king and queen were very lonely. They had no children. One day the queen was bathing in the royal pool. With her was Lady Heepsa, who loved to talk and talk and talk. Suddenly, the queen thought she heard a small voice and said, "Shh, Heepsa." But Lady Hepsa talked on and on and on. So, the queen moved closer to the bank of the pond. There was a turtle. The turtle said, "I have an important message for you. I wish to announce that a lovely little princess is to be born to you and the king. The queen could hardly believe her ears. A princess is to be born. How wonderful, wonderful. So they waited for the baby. Push. And there was the new princess. It was a beautiful little [Music] baby. Everyone was so excited and delighted they decided to name her Briar Rose. [Music] The chancellor told a courtier to spread the news throughout the land. "Wake up! Wake up!" the courtier shouted. "A princess has been born." The news spread like wildfire. People laughed, shouted, and cried with joy. "A princess has been born." A princess. A princess has been born. A princess has been born. Soon after, the court met because the king had an important announcement to [Music] make. Said the king, "We will have a christening party and invite all the fairies so that they may bestow their wishes upon our fair princess." Are we going to invite all seven fairies? And why not? Well, what about Typod? She has a terrible bump on her nose. No looks would spoil a pretty party. You're a wicked girl to say such things. We shall invite all seven fairies. So the jester decided to write the invitations. He was very proud because he had just learned how to write. As soon as he had finished writing the invitations, he turned them over to the king, who gave them to Lady Hepsa, who said she knew where the fairies [Music] lived. She stole to the edge of the lawn and stopped. She didn't really know where the fairies lived. She held up one invitation. She tried again. And two moreish. And now she had one left. This must be the one for that ugly pitod. The had a plan. [Music] Preparations were started immediately for the big party. Sacks of flour, pheasant, cakes, and candies poured into the royal kitchen. Soon the party was underway. All the guests and fairies were there. All but Pipod, who had not received her invitation. Poor Pipod watched the gay party from high up in a nearby tree. Oh, everybody was having such fun, chattering and laughing. Then the fairies bestowed their gifts. Pipod shrieked and leaped from the tree right smack into the middle of the table. I have a gift for the princess. She will grow to be beautiful, but on her 17th birthday, she will prick a finger on a spinning wheel and die. The fairies had a hurried meeting and then one of them stepped forward to the king. She said the princess would not die but she and the whole kingdom would sleep for 100 years. Sleep for 100 years. The king gave the chancellor orders to have all spinning wheels destroyed. The notice was posted everywhere. Destroy all spinning wheels at [Music] once. Before long, all the spinning wheels had been carted [Music] away. The princess was growing [Music] up and she was very beautiful. On her 17th birthday, a small party was held and the cook baked a special cake three layers high. That afternoon, Lady Hepsa was strolling through the woods, talking as usual. Suddenly she stopped. There was a little old lady with a spinning wheel. Hepsa didn't know the old lady was pit in disguise. She was so pleased to see a spinning wheel after so many years. She forgot what disaster it might cause. And she hurried off to tell everyone. There's a spinning wheel in the woods. She shouted and ran on and on. She blurted out the words in front of the [Music] princess. Oh, then she remembered. I'll stop the princess. You tell the king. The princess got closer and closer to the woods. [Music] All at once, everyone became very drowsy, and they all sat [Music] down and went to sleep. and they slept for 100 long [Music] years. During that time, many princes had heard of the strange happenings. But try as they might, they could not get [Music] through. On the hundth year, still another prince tried. Strangely enough, the bushes and briars parted and let him [Music] through. He climbed the castled wall. and saw the [Music] sleepers, the courtier, the chancellor and the queen and the king. [Music] and the jester. Now, why would the jester point that way? Why would the jester [Music] point? H. The prince turned and went into the woods. [Music] and then he came upon Briar Rose the sleeping [Music] beauty. She was so beautiful he decided to kiss her. And when he did, to his amazement, she awoke. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Now everyone had awakened and they all gathered by the [Music] throne. The prince asked for the hand of the princess in marriage. The king and queen gave their consent, for it was plain to everyone that the prince and princess were in love and that they would live happily ever after. [Music] Thanks everybody for the happy ending u to this fable. Um if you like what you saw, you can certainly contribute uh like Jeremy did. Thank you Jeremy for contributing via the super thanks button. You can also support us via Patreon or ko-fi.com/abgeeks that buys us some coffee. Or you can hit the thumbs up or the like button or notify, subscribe, all that stuff. Um, appreciate you watching today, your eyeballs, and letting me get away with some silliness on my end cuz that tells me I'm feeling better if I'm like, oh. Um, anyways, we'll be back again tomorrow on Friday. Everybody have a great rest of your day and we will see you soon everybody. Take care. Bye.