American Look: Part 1 of 3 (1958) (digitally enhanced)

[elvis97660]

why did america change.you dont need to fix things that arnt broken

[micmac99]

OMG what a forward looking, modern doorknob!!!!!!

[prckay]

GM should consider bring back designbs from the 50s but make it modern

[19580909]

Thanks so much for uploading these marvelous videos from the past!

[Blokkhedtwo]

What can I say? Thanks to Youtube we get to see this sort of wonderful material. A real insight into the era of consumption in America. It is a propaganda film for desire and style and aspiration. Beautiful.

[Sharpel007]

Wow, I am sure Bertoia, Eames and Noguchi, whose chairs and tables are used through out this film would love being called a stylist.

[zedellbee]

Does anyone know what the music backing all this is classed as? Desperately seeking a URL to something similar ... Not only is it worryingly relaxing, its MORE than ideal for my blog ...

[jgbennie]

@zedellbee It sounds like typical '50s stock music, but I suspect GM (which could afford it) commissioned someone to write it as the music fits together.

FTS is correct; Marvin Miller is the narrator. Very nice relaxing delivery on this one.

[batterymaker]

The Hoffman Solaradio shown in the picnic scene's worth a small fortune today.

[fromthesidelines]

The narrator is well-known radio and TV announcer/actor Marvin Miller, who was also appearing as "Michael Anthony" on "THE MILLIONAIRE" at the time.

[luridplanet]

1958-1960 American design at it's bloated worst - look at the cars from those years. The bright colors were great, though, and the "space-age" designs of consumer products were just around the corner. The European designs from that era are timeless (I'm an American, btw)

[minotek]

I agree to a certain extent, but at the same time I despise Eurotrash!

[bimini9]

I kind of wish the visionary designed look would come back. These design pioneers were so far ahead of the times. Wow, could you imagine leaping forward from 2008 to 2020 in design? We do not have enough designers whoi dare? I could be off, but it would be cool to leap ahead with another new level of designs.

[mralmeister1]

@bimini9 Bimini I am afraid we as Americans have forgotten how to be forward thinking and looking...

[realminusf]

fallout, just before the bombs fell.

great stuff

[sendmejackson]

Cool film! However, that seductive Ericofon telephone at 1:35 is definitely not an American design. (The Bell System vigorously fought making this Swedish product available in the United States. It wasn't until around 1961 that US manufacturing began.)

[rb1779]

this is awesome.. thanks for uploading.. these designs have not gone out of style.. people still buy furnitures like these... i would by them if i could.