I seem to remember another PSA in a similar vein, about bookmobiles. I think it ended with a kid jumping out of the back of the truck to enjoy his new prize. I searched for "bookmobile PSA" here, but couldn't find anything.
in response to your question, the kid at the end bears a slight resemblance to gabriel melgar (raul on "chico and the man"). melgar was born in 1964, which would make him around 8 years old when this was filmed - - about the same age as the kid seen here. could it be him?
The importance of reading has really, really been lost over the years. It's funny how we never see PSAs like this now, when people need them the most.
@dpurves28 I KNOW! Ain't it funny? Today they got ads telling kids don't eat junk food, don't play video games all day, get up, get exercise, but they STILL can't bother the kids telling them to read a book!
@dpurves28 I am certain it's because a vast segment of the population today would buy into some loudmouth idiot's argument that giving books to children is the thin end of the wedge of socialism.
Then they would buy into another loudmouth idiot's claim that the content of the books being given out was pushing a covert liberal agenda, unless the books in question were the Bible, the Turner Diaries, and the Fountainhead.
I love books and did so even when I was little, so I loved this commercial when the kid with no books was given books for keeps -- I thought that it was such a great idea!
I really miss watching these priceless, classic early 1970s RIF PSAs. I remember a 30 second version using the same song, "HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS" that I remember well. Watching this again for the first time in many years literally chokes me up. The concept behind RIF still exists. I hope there are dozens more RIF PSAs from the 1960s and 1970s. Thanks a million for posting this!!!
I seem to remember another PSA in a similar vein, about bookmobiles. I think it ended with a kid jumping out of the back of the truck to enjoy his new prize. I searched for "bookmobile PSA" here, but couldn't find anything.
RoyKnable 5 months ago
in response to your question, the kid at the end bears a slight resemblance to gabriel melgar (raul on "chico and the man"). melgar was born in 1964, which would make him around 8 years old when this was filmed - - about the same age as the kid seen here. could it be him?
wallofvideo 6 months ago
The importance of reading has really, really been lost over the years. It's funny how we never see PSAs like this now, when people need them the most.
dpurves28 2 years ago
@dpurves28 I KNOW! Ain't it funny? Today they got ads telling kids don't eat junk food, don't play video games all day, get up, get exercise, but they STILL can't bother the kids telling them to read a book!
TheBookWorm1718 1 year ago
@dpurves28 I am certain it's because a vast segment of the population today would buy into some loudmouth idiot's argument that giving books to children is the thin end of the wedge of socialism.
Then they would buy into another loudmouth idiot's claim that the content of the books being given out was pushing a covert liberal agenda, unless the books in question were the Bible, the Turner Diaries, and the Fountainhead.
orchidtender 2 months ago
If only today's kids would read more, and put the video games down.
lobo81865 2 years ago
At least they didn't say "Reading is Paramount".
Attmay 2 years ago
I love books and did so even when I was little, so I loved this commercial when the kid with no books was given books for keeps -- I thought that it was such a great idea!
chrisman737 2 years ago
I really miss watching these priceless, classic early 1970s RIF PSAs. I remember a 30 second version using the same song, "HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS" that I remember well. Watching this again for the first time in many years literally chokes me up. The concept behind RIF still exists. I hope there are dozens more RIF PSAs from the 1960s and 1970s. Thanks a million for posting this!!!
TheIronSheikSociety 3 years ago
I remember those RIF commercials.
Mike1964 3 years ago