The Tree in a Test Tube
The Tree in a Test Tube

Movie spotlight

The Tree in a Test Tube

1942
Movie
6 min
English

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are stopped by narrator Pete Smith for the purpose of showing the audience how much wood and wood by-products the average person carries.

Insights

Director: George B. WallaceGenres: Documentary, Short, Educational

Plot Summary

This short educational film, produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, illustrates the myriad uses of trees and wood products in American life. It highlights the importance of forests to the nation's economy and everyday living, showcasing everything from lumber for construction to the cellulose derived from wood for modern conveniences.

Critical Reception

As an educational short produced during wartime for the public good, "The Tree in a Test Tube" was not typically reviewed by mainstream critics in the same way feature films were. Its value was primarily in its informational content and its contribution to public understanding of resource management.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its clear and accessible presentation of complex information.

  • Valued for its patriotic and educational message during a critical period in U.S. history.

  • Recognized for demonstrating the widespread impact of forestry on daily life.

Google audience: Audience reception for this historical short is difficult to quantify through modern review platforms. However, films of this nature were generally well-received for their informative and educational value, particularly during the World War II era.

Fun Fact

This film was produced in Technicolor, which was still a relatively new and expensive process at the time, highlighting the importance the government placed on disseminating this information about forest resources.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
talisencrw

talisencrw

Interesting aside, an educational short guest-starring Laurel and Hardy and narrated by fellow comedian Pete Smith. Decent but not essential. I found it both as a bonus on an excellent Laurel and Hardy 10-disc boxed set as well as a bargain...