According to Plan: The Story of Modern Sidewalls for the Homes of America (1952)

★★★★★ · Boy that narrator's voice is familiar · DrRich · 2004-08-31

Having grown up in the 1940s it was easy to recognize the voice of Fred Foy as the narrator for the first half of this film. Mr. Foy was the narrator/announcer for the classic Lone Ranger radio and television episodes. It was he who asked the audience to "Return with us now to the thrilling days of yesteryear." He brings the same pacing and drama to his vocal style for this film as he did to his many many Lone Ranger episodes. If only the homeowners, contractors, and espcially installers knew the kind of high drama awaiting them due to their use of asbestos. It was a real treat hearing Fred…

★★★★ · Historically engaging, mildly entertaining · jeepingeo · 2007-06-26

It is hard to believe the lengths they went to in this film to make you *want* asbestos siding. Lots of talk about the "wonders of asbestos" and great images of early to mid-fifties home building. Perhaps, of greatest interest to me, my house is visible in the scene describing the "El Dorado Ranchos" where they show the people walking the street by model homes and the colored flags flying. Even more interesting is the fact that my home has WOOD and STUCCO siding and it has always been that way (at least as far as I can tell). Not sure why it was featured in a film on asbestos siding, probably…

★★★★ · Hooray for asbestos! · eltatero · 2005-06-03

This film documents the making of houses like the one I live in with asbestos siding. A largely unknown (and ignored) fact: nearly all asbestos mineral used for industrial siding and insulation applications in the US during the 40s, 50s, and 60s were CAo2 (calcite) derived (dissolves when moistened), the rest was SIo2 (silica) (doesn't dissolve). Therefore, some selectivity in asbestos removal would have saved the gov A LOT of money. .

★★★ · According to Plan: The Story of Modern Sidewalls for the Homes of America · Christine Hennig · 2003-02-10

This 50s film tells prospective homeowners how happy they will be if they put asbestos cement siding on their homes. It tells you way more than you want to know about this fairly dull building material. Mildly campy moments include the opening scene featuring a 50s couple putting together a model home in an oh-so-happy way, and the colors available, which are as follows: moss green (i.e. grey), brown, grey, and ivory (i.e. brown). There are lots of scenes of 50s suburbia when it was still new, including scenes of Levittown being built, which gives the film some historical interest. But just…

★★ · No, not THAT asbestos! This is the good kind. · Holly Daggers · 2002-12-12

Although this isn't a particularly interesting film, it does contain essential footage of Levittown, NY, including construction sites, fully lived-in neighborhoods, and a public pool. Similar housing developments across the country are lovingly displayed in slow panoramic shots, displaying the "ticky-tacky" and generic boxes of Suburbia. Obligitory scenes of scientists in labcoats and boiling beekers of colored water symbolize *t*e*c*h*n*o*l*o*g*y*. Mineral fibers are cracked open from a rock and held over a flame but don't burn. Oooooohh, the wonders of asbestos, not the lethal blown-in…