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UnknownBehind the Freedom Curtain (1957)

Sales film for voting machines, promoting them as engines of governmental efficiency and practical democracy.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Unknown
Sponsor: Automatic Voting Machine Company
Audio/Visual: Sd, C
Keywords: Voting; Political campaigns and elections; Human rights

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Umass_Kid - - September 25, 2004
Subject: Fall of votes
Quirky little film on voting. The fall images and 1950's era cars are all worth the viewing.

Reviewer: FP - - September 17, 2004
Subject: Timely and interesting
In light of the subterfuge planned for the 2004 US election by ESS, Sequoia, and Diebold, this film is painful to watch.

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - December 9, 2003
Subject: Be Sure to Vote Down the Up with Mellonville Campaign
Made by a manufacturer of voting machines, this film tries to convince us that voting machines are so much better and fairer than old-fashioned pencil-and-paper voting, mostly by constantly repeating that machines cant make the mistakes people do. Ah, if it were only that simple, we wouldnt have had that mess in the 2000 election. Actually, this is pretty well made and makes its points well, though it does tend to go on and on and on. It gives an interesting perspective on the problems of running elections, problems that still exist today. Its pontificating about democracy gets so overblown its campy in spots. But mostly this is pretty straightforward.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ***. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ***.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - January 16, 2003
Subject: Great title for rather interesting movie
'Behind The Freedom Curtain' is an odd little number that shows how useful viting machines are. While the intro hails democracy and the freedom of voting, it touches very little on the other meaning of the 'Freedom Curtain'. Anyways, a great intro to this machine is shown, with people of all sorts cranking away on the red handle. You gotta love the volunteer beside the machine who doesnt really do much in the film. Just shows people in and out, and waits for them to finish voting.. As well, plenty of great close ups of people thinking away about who to vote for. This is one darned good looking film, and is reccomended!

Shotlist

Ken Smith sez: This, unfortunately, is not a film about communism; it's a plug for the products of the Automatic Voting Machine Company (give them credit for an eye-catching title). While the pitfalls of primitive paper balloting are shown in gleeful detail, voting machines are praised as "automatic and modern."

Voting Elections Voting machines Ballots Jamestown, N.Y.