MIT Movies Emeritus by Chris Peterson SM '13

Before I say what I have to say about video, remember:

Blogger applications are due by August 1st! As in Monday! Get them in on time so that I have something to read next week in addition to furiously refreshing Ochocinco’s twitter now that he has finally united with his longtime BFF, Bill Belichick.

In other admissions news, we just posted some old movies about MIT, and I thought I’d share them on the blog as well.

MIT: The Motion Picture (1992)

You may have seen MIT: The Motion Picture on our homepage or elsewhere:

While it is incredibly dated now – though not without a certain comforting character for those of us old enough to remember videotapes – it was, at the time, a major production. It cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and was produced entirely by a major Madison Avenue marketing firm, and was taken “on the road” for the better part of a decade to show people all across the country something about MIT.

But MIT: The Motion Picture was not the first movie produced by MIT or the Admissions Office. Below are two more from the archives – and we do mean archives – hosted by MIT TechTV. See if you can spot what has changed and what has stayed the same!

MIT: The Social Beaver (1954)

A promotional film for prospective students and visitors to MIT, “The Social Beaver” focuses on the community living and range of social and cultural activities that round out a student’s life at MIT, from music groups to hobby clubs, the traditional Field Day competitions and dormitory life. The film was written and directed by MIT alumnus Oscar Henry Horowitz ‘22 and features original music played by MIT Concert Band composed by Andrew Kazdin. Courtesy of the MIT Museum.

MIT: Technology 1934 (1934)

This silent film, which offers us a marvelous vintage tour of the Institute, was produced by MIT in 1934 “for all who might be interested in knowing more about the Institute and its significance in the world of Science, Art and Engineering,” for alumni, “to awaken happy memories of undergraduate days,” and for prospective students, to showcase life at MIT “as seen through the eyes of a boy of pre-college age.” It documents students and instructors conducting research in laboratories and in the field as well as daily activities beyond the academic realm. MIT notables who make an appearance include Karl Compton, Harold Edgerton, George Owen and James Libby Tryon. Film to HD transfer courtesy of MIT150. MIT Museum Collections.