Special features: "Camera 3 part 1 and 2" CBS' documentary television series episode featuring Albert Cullum (56 min.) ; archival photo gallery ; filmmaker biographies.
Contents:
A touch of greatness / directed by Albert Cullum ; photographed and edited by Robert Downey, Sr. ; music by Tom O'Horgan and Geraldine Bryant (27 min. ; 1964) -- Literature au-go-go / directed by Albert Cullum ; photographed and edited by Robert Downey, Sr. ; music by Tom O'Horgan (26 min. ; 1966) -- From sea to shining sea / directed by Albert Cullum ; photographed and edited by Robert Downey, Sr. ; music by Tom O'Horgan (14 min. ; 196-?).
Summary:
A documentary on the work of Albert Cullum, an elementary school teacher for over twenty years and a pioneer in modern American public education. Championing an unorthodox educational philosophy, Cullum regularly taught his elementary school children literary masterpieces, most notably the works of Shakespeare, Sophocles and Shaw. Combining interviews with Cullum and his former students with archival footage originally filmed by director Robert Downey, Sr., the film documents the unusual work of a school teacher who embraced creativity, and who sought to foster his students' motivation and self-esteem through the use of poetry, drama and imaginative play. A touch of greatness: Featuring Albert Cullum and elementary students of Westchester County, NY. Cullum works with the students to put on various theatrical productions of Shakespeare's plays, the process of which is captured by the camera, and narrated by the students themselves. Literature a-go-go: An experimental film featuring students of Westchester County, NY performing and interpreting various pieces of Shakespeare's plays, as well as engaging in other Cullum-led activities. Depicts examples of Cullum's mixing of poetry, drama, and play to foster educational motivation. From sea to shining sea: A visual montage accompanied by an audio recording of Cullum teaching a class of first grade students geography. Provides an example of Cullum's method for fostering student participation through creative activities.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.