There were a lot of snickers when PBS and Britain's Channel Four started their own version of reality TV--sending modern families back to authentically recreated domiciles to relive the “good old days.” While The 1900 House (VL-9/00) suffered from the world's most annoying teenager, and the Frontier House experience caused one participating couple to divorce, 1940s House is a definite hit. In fact, the suburban London house purchased for this evocation of life from 1939-1945 had its own war story: the owner died while trying to put out a fire when two neighboring houses were destroyed by a German firebomb in 1942. Viewers will meet three generations of the engaging Hymer family, who cope with blackouts, air raids, rationing, housekeeping, war work, and childrearing (fortunately, the Hymers don't have to actually fear news of soldiers' deaths, as did families of the period), while tuning in to priceless original BBC radio broadcasts (including the one telling women not to smoke so they can save tobacco for the gender that was MEANT to have it!). A council of historians meeting in Churchill's War Cabinet Rooms keeps pulling the levers to make sure the project is excruciatingly authentic, and in a touching tribute to Britain's “Greatest Generation,” the Hymers also visit a retirement home to talk to civilian veterans of the war. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Reagan)
1940s House
(2000) 2 videocassettes. 180 min. $34.98 ($69.95 w/PPR). PBS Video. Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7806-4064-0. Volume 18, Issue 3
1940s House
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