Lovingly produced by Rosemary and Cliff McCaslin, this encyclopedic guide to depression era glass opens with a mini-documentary on the rise of industry during the 1920s (and fall during the 1930s), and the shift in emphasis from hand-blown glass to molded patterns. Viewers will learn why green was such a popular color during the era (the "crude low quality lime glass" was the cheapest to produce), how glass manufacturing companies were able to make inroads into the stagnant consumer market with "free giveaway" promotions, and how infatuation with British royalty influenced the names of particular glass lines such as Hocking's "Queen Mary" and "Princess." The first volume looks at the Hocking/Anchor Hocking, Jeannette, and Hazel-Atlas company's colorful wares, while the second volume examines pieces from Federal, Macbeth-Evans, Indiana, The Liberty Works, and others (including some "unknowns"). The close-up shots of the patterns are very good, and the rotation of the pieces allows viewers vantage points not available in photographs. There is, however, a lot of unnecessary and distracting video special effects, especially during the opening mini-documentary. The filmmakers either recently purchased a Video Toaster or similar editing suite or else they dropped big, big bucks in an outside editing facility. Those interested in seeing just how many varieties of wipes and dissolves are available will be quite impressed; those interested in depression glass, however, might find all the bells and whistles a little annoying. Still, I predict that glass collectors are going to really enjoy this. Recommended. (R. Pitman)
Living Glass: Popular Patterns Of the Depression Era
(1993) 2 videocassettes. 98/91 min. $34.95 each ($69.90 for both). RoCliff Communications (dist. by Instructional Video). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 2
Living Glass: Popular Patterns Of the Depression Era
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