American History

A video from the Prelinger Archive taken from Drive-in Intermission 9 for the movie break portrays different kinds of snack foods that the moviegoer can buy before watching a movie. Made in the 1950s, this short film is a concrete example of the American way of life in terms of lifestyle, consumption and cravings. The Intermission 9 short film shows a well-modulated mans voice encouraging the public to get out and stretch a little before the movie starts. He beckons to everyone that there are lots of food items like popcorn, hotdogs, and candy bars at the Refreshment Centers just outside the theater.

This is the American way of pursuing happiness, good food, good film and good company maximized to the hilt as demonstrated in this Intermission No. 9. There are other Intermission numbers during movie breaks and they all seem to have the same theme. They urge the public to consume all kinds of foods to satisfy their cravings. In fact, there is a note to beware because watching the short video can make one hungry even if he has already eaten. The narrator even maintains that Wed be richly rewarded with the thought that weve pleased you. and We promise to satisfy your hunger, thirst and sweet tooth. This demonstrates how the video generally wants to change the publics mind and behavior by making the happiness of people dependent upon the kind of behavior one does such as pleasing the other person. Even the way the chocolate drink was presented made one really long for a cup of hot, rich chocolate flavored-drink. The camera was zooming in on the chocolate drink closer to people inside the theater.

These advertisements in movie houses, produce and shown as early as the 1950s and 1960s were already instilling in the minds of people the American way of consuming snack products and junk foods. This kind of advertisement has been improved and enhanced today but it still has the same end goal profit. This short video instills the false belief systems that people will be happy when one consumes their junk foods.