These Are My People (Part I) (1959)

★★ · Hot air · trafalgar · 2004-04-03

This long-winded Jam Handy picture tells the story of natural gas, it's history and many uses, and "the exciting new world of petrochemistry". Bizarrely narrated in the first person by "natural gas" itself, who speaks in glowing terms of "my people", i.e. the gas workers. This device doesn't really work, but does provide a handful of good lines, like "Complacence is not among the traits of those who serve me." Sounds promising, I know, but it's pretty dry and doesn't really deliver the laughs. But if you want to know about natural gas, you came to the right place...

★★ · Zzzz.. · Spuzz · 2004-11-25

Simply atrociously paced film about the history of natural gas. The novelty of having it told by a talking blue flame of gas dies down as it continues on.. and on.. Till we wished they'd turn the gas on us to end it already. Bonus points though, for the 1st meeting in the boardroom, which has the same velvet wallpaper that my family had in their living room.