Edison is on PBS tonight

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
Post Reply
ColoradoPhonograf
Victor II
Posts: 478
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:21 pm

Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by ColoradoPhonograf »

I just noticed in the tv listings that there is a new episode of "American Experience" tonight at 9:00 pm (ET) featuring the life and accomplishments of Thomas Edison. You may want to watch it or record it.

User avatar
FellowCollector
Victor V
Posts: 2102
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:22 pm
Contact:

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by FellowCollector »

Thanks ColoradoPhonograf. I would have missed this without your notice. I now have the DVR all set to record it. American Experience makes some of the finest documentaries on the planet. I have written several letters over the years to them with subjects of interest for future documentaries. They're always extremely well done. Anyway, thanks again for the heads-up.

Doug

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8165
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by phonogfp »

Gee whiz - - don't you fellows check the "Future Events" on the APS website?

http://www.antiquephono.org/events_cate ... re-events/

This has been posted for weeks...maybe years... ;)

George P.

User avatar
marcapra
Victor V
Posts: 2180
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:29 am
Personal Text: Man who ride on tiger find it very difficult to dismount! Charlie Chan
Location: Temecula, CA

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by marcapra »

At first I thought that this must be a old re-run of an Edison documentary from over ten years ago. But in the credits it says this is a 2015 production! So it looks like this is new! Looking forward to seeing it.

Edisone
Victor IV
Posts: 1140
Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:17 pm
Location: Can see Canada from Attic Window

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by Edisone »

One movie clip confirms what Edison said in an interview: Someone (Harvey Firestone, I think) is shown talking to Edison's cheek, not his ear, as Edison clearly cups his hand well in front of his ear. New meaning to "talking face to face". haha

User avatar
edisonphonoworks
Victor IV
Posts: 1566
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:50 am
Personal Text: A new blank with authentic formula and spiral core!
Contact:

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by edisonphonoworks »

It seemed very well done. There is a few hiccups here and there, like the tinfoil phonograph picture used for 1888 white wax cylinders, but all and all pretty interesting. There is some footage I have never seen before. It is nice that much of Edison was documented on film.

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8165
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by phonogfp »

I agree that this documentary was, although not perfect, very well done. Other than a few anachronistic film clips and images inserted throughout the documentary, I have no complaints. ("If we need a photo of Edison looking angry - as during the 1888 Ezra Gilliland fallout - why not use this photo taken 20 years later? No one will notice that Triumph in the background..." And indeed, who but nerds like us WOULD notice?) The American Experience does a consistently fine job with all its productions. :)

The general public would be well served to see more of this type of programming, in my opinion. Edison might not be the ideal role model for human relationships, but his life demonstrates other valuable lessons that many might put to good use. :)

George P.

User avatar
fran604g
Victor VI
Posts: 3995
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:22 pm
Personal Text: I'm Feeling Cranky
Location: Hemlock, NY

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by fran604g »

I thoroughly enjoyed the show! It did, however, leave me wanting more...perhaps a 10 part mini-series. 8-)

Best,
Fran
Francis; "i" for him, "e" for her
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.

User avatar
NEFaurora
Victor IV
Posts: 1214
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 7:02 pm
Personal Text: "A Phonograph in every home..."
Location: Melbourne, FL (Former New Yorker!)

Re: Edison is on PBS tonight

Post by NEFaurora »

Thanks! I'll set the DVR tonight..!

:o)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

Post Reply