Fastax-tion (film #507 on Prelinger Archive). [Category: Industrial]

Early 60s 3-M film designed to sell the Fastax high speed movie camera to engineers. The various uses of the camera by different companies to study high-speed motion are profiled, from Hercules Power’s study of rocket engine firing to Munsingwear’s identification of a faulty knitting needle in one of their high-speed knitting machines. Lots of samples of high-speed photography are shown and these are the most interesting sequences of the film. The scene of popcorn popping in slow motion should have been used in a drive-in snack bar promo, the scene of big ugly 50s cars in crash tests should have been used in a driver’s ed film, while the scene of the guy getting a pie in the face speaks for itself. Overall, this is an unusual film that documents a little known corner of film history, as well as being a great film to mine for a video project.

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

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