I saw this production the night it aired on TV in 1957 as a 3rd grader. The first reason I was thrilled was because it was so different than anything I had ever seen on TV and was in such a smart style and content compared to the dreck that was on everyday. It was my first "special".The second thrilling thing was that they used the fanfare to the first movement of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony which remains a favorite of mine 56 years later. It was the first I had heard it or any Beethoven.Also, the content was so rich, complete and perfectly presented and some information still comes to me today. I had seen Dr. Baxter on the Today show, and Richard Carlson in corny horror movies. But here, they were participating in something made just for me! I'd love to see it again.

"Hemo the Magnificent" is a wonderful educational film by Frank Capra and underwritten by the Bell corporation. Though it debuted on TV in March, 1957, my elementary school used it throughout the 1970s. Hemo combined animation with live action to tell the amazing story of the Heart and Blood Circulation in a delightfully entertaining way. The information and look of the film is dated, but it is still informative. The film stars Dr. Frank Baxter, Ph.D., and Richard Carlson. It also includes an appearance by Sterling Holloway best known as the voice of Winnie the Pooh. Hemo is also an interesting avenue of Frank Capra's body of work. Best known for "It's a Wonderful Life", Capra also did documentaries during the World War II era--i.e. "Why We Fight" series. Although Capra had done documentaries before, this is a departure from his past work in that this was about science, made for TV and targeted for children. When I completed my Ph.D. my brother sent me a copy on DVD. Now my children watch and enjoy it much the way I did 35+ years ago.

Ah, yes Mr. Greer showed us this film among other interesting projects. Oh to be a kid watching Nemo in 1969 with all the turmoil in American society raging around us. We were oblivious.The only thing I remember, when I started Kindergarten in 1966, all dads had crew cuts, white short sleeve shirts, narrow ties and no facial hair. Moms wore dresses and fake pearls and looked like characters in Perry Mason episodes.By 1969 there were all these young guys with long hair and beards... I think I saw Jesus like 10 times. Hippie chicks were really nice, though. Most of the Perry Mason mom types scarred us in the grocery stores trying to buy candy."Good little boys don't act that way!!" Always yelling at us like school teachers. Hippie chicks would come up and talk to us like we were people. I still have a thing for flower print skirts and skimpy tops to this day.Okay its obvious I grew up in California... It was a great film and I remember the great Richard Carlson from "It Came From Outer Space" and Dr. Baxter was super cool too.Mr. Greer gave us a test on the heart ventricles and all that afterward. Dang Mr. Greer...

This was a delightful presentation. Hemo (blood) as a Greek god was so well played by the animation with vanity, arrogance, snobbish superiority and innocent wonder. The quote (or scene) I recall vividly is when Hemo tires of "all this plumbing ... you haven't learned my secrets at all" and threatens to storm out, the Scientist answers him in a single word "Thalassa" -- salt water which horrifies the Fiction Writer but mollifies Hemo and segues so neatly into the chemical aspects of blood. Such a splendid blend of entertainment and information make this a classic as fresh and engrossing today as the day it was released. Stimulating the interest and imagination is fundamental to teaching kids to love learning.