Brandon (film #240 on Prelinger Archive). [Category: Commercial]

This filmed sleeping pill is a promotional travelogue about Brandon, a historical plantation in the James River area of ol’ Virginny (sorry, this film makes me lapse into a bad southern accent, and I’m not even from the south). Narrated by somebody’s southern great aunt after being given a good dose of Valium, it mostly features footage of flowers and trees, enough so that you begin to suspect the Ladies’ Gardening Club was behind this. African-American plantation employees are portrayed as if slavery was only recently repealed, and parts of the plantation have yet to hear the news. Seeing that footage, though, will require you to stay awake beyond the first five minutes of the film, which, believe me, is not easy. “Goin’ Home” is played more times and more slowly than at FDR’s funeral. Insomniacs should enjoy this because it will cure their problem. Others will find it somewhat less than satisfying.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: **. Weirdness: **. Historical Interest: ***. Overall Rating: **.