Our Mr. Sun

I remember seeing this as a kid in elementary school. I was absolutely fascinated and captivated by it. It and "Mr. Hemo" were what got me interested in science. Keeping in mind when it came out, the ideas and possibilities for the future were back then astounding. Many like solar power became reality. Our Mr. Sun was at a level I could understand at age 9 and years later as an adult I found it was still interesting. It made such a great impression that when I was older and saw it on a list of films available for my class I had jumped at the chance to show it. The kids loved it. As an adult it was great realizing that it was a younger Eddie Albert as the "host". It is hard to find but it is definitely worth the time if you find it. Most Highly recommended.

Our Mr. Sun (1956)

*** (out of 4)

The first of four films Frank Capra made for television as part of an educational series from the Bell Science and AT&T. This documentary was made to teach children the history of the sun as well as why we need it and how it works. The film mixes two real scientists with animated versions of the sun and Father Time (voiced by Lionel Barrymore in his final role). I think it's important to remember when this film was made when watching it today because some of the information given here has been proved incorrect but that really doesn't take away from any of the film's charm. The movie runs 54-minutes and goes by pretty fast and I was really surprised at how well it stood up. The animation sequences are pretty good and Marvin Miller does great work as the voice of the sun. The IMDb says that Barrymore's part is unconfirmed but it really sounded like him.

You have to watch this film remembering it was made in 50's. Another reviewer has written about this film as if it was same level as the worst of the propaganda films every made. Which is pure rubbish. There are religious references in the film, but this will not harm anyone. Especially since no one should watch it as accurate source of science information. In fact the values are all thats left as a message in this film. That and the pure entertainment value of watching something that shows how much we misunderstood astronomy, and science at the time. See the film, enjoy the Mr Sun character, and lighten up.

Our Mr. Sun was my first AV experience in Elementary School back in 1961 (Grade 5), and I am certain that having seen it helped to kindle my interest in Science Education......I became a science teacher, and have taught Grade 7 science for the past 33 years. Some of the scenes in this film stuck with me, particularly the animated scenes with Mr. Chlorophyll and with the recipe for the photo-electric silicon wafer. I rate this film highly for classroom use still today. For one thing, there is precious little available in instructive video on the subject of Solar Science. For another thing, I believe that watching this film intent on filling in some of the science that was little understood or misunderstood at the time is a useful exercise. As a part time social studies teacher I also find that examining the sociological content of the film, in consideration of its 50 year old values and assumptions is quite instructive. As to any criticism of moralistic bias in this film, of course one must always remember its vintage foremost, before criticizing the screenwriters, since times, they sure have changed!!!

Our Mr. Sun, as where all of the Bell telephone education films Are Pure nostalgia to me . I was always happy to see a movie projector set up in class, but when it was a Mr. Science film I was JAZZED ! these movies were heads above the standard audio visual fair of the 1960s ( remember film strips ? ) We saw these films once a year , and my father , who was a school teacher would bring these home to show again I never tired of them , But then Maybe I was a Right wing Christian nut and never even knew it ! ( see G Wells comment ) I am sure it's Dated now but Our Mr. Sun is pure nostalgia to me ! I think the fact that it has been released to DVD says something in it self , how many other educational films from our school days have made it to DVD ?