Intertel; 54; American Samoa: Paradise Lost?
- Series
- Intertel
- Episode Number
- 54
- Episode
- American Samoa: Paradise Lost?
- Producing Organization
- National Educational Television and Radio Center
- Contributing Organization
- Library of Congress (Washington, District of Columbia)
- AAPB ID
- cpb-aacip/512-st7dr2qb71
- NOLA Code
- ITTL
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- Description
- Episode Description
- 1 hour piece, produced by NET and initially distributed by NET in 1969.
- Episode Description
- American Samoa, a tropical paradise in the South Pacific, is now faced with a compromise to its hereditary structure and its unhurried life. The challenge is that of progress, American-style, complete with camera-toting tourists, educational television in every classroom, and an expanding economy that may be in conflict with Samoan values of sharing and of deference to the family and the tribal core. These are the findings of NET's Intertel production, "American Samoa: Paradise Lost?" The program spans classrooms and canneries, tribal banquets and remote beaches, in its portrayal of a rapidly changing culture. The conflict between traditional and emerging Samoa is seen as a loan collector makes his rounds among people whose native huts were destroyed during storms, and have been replaced by all-weather homes, with the American bank financing the project. The natives, who have always taken from friends, cannot comprehend the fact that they must repay the bank. The school, were children are learning English and geography from a television monitor, presents another potential conflict. "Taught to respect authority very early, they do as they are told, pay attention to television and the teacher, and are learning English far more rapidly than ever before." However, the program adds, "this very attitude of acceptance may stand in the way of independent thinking. This Western goal of education is alien to a culture that expects children to be obedient, to serve, not to question, one's elders." Even among Samoan chiefs, an unquestioning stance is noted. At a meeting on family planning, they are polite listeners, though they have no intention of carrying out the Americans' program. In most areas, Samoans are accepting the American influence, recognizing a chance for new comfort and prosperity. This fact applies especially to Samoan's leading industry - tourism. One tour director, interviewed on a television program for students, strikes the dominant note - "Keep your big wide smiles up," he advises the class, for then tourists will return to the island. But one critic, High Chief Fuimaono, sees Samoa being changed to something less natural than it was before. He is critical of the message implicit to children in the cowboy movies on television. Nor does he feel that they should be taught to eat with spoons and forks in school when they will revert to their parents' way of using their hands at home. The high chief laments, "I would like us to be independent of the United States." But the program concludes, "for the present, the Samoan chooses easily - something old, something new - balancing with typical Polynesian poise between two worlds." "American Samoa: Paradise Lost?" was produced for Intertel by NET. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
- Other Description
- Intertel, a dramatic breakthrough in the dissemination of ideas and cultural exchange through television, was conceived in November 1960. Five television broadcasters in the four major English-speaking nations joined to form the International Television Federation, to be known as Intertel, the first such international organization. The participants were Associated Rediffusion, Ltd. of Great Britain, the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and for the United States, the National Educational Television and Radio Center and the Westinghouse Broadcasting Company. Intertel produced on a bi-monthly basis hour-long documentaries on important world topics, inaugurating a global television production agency dedicated to the creation of programs of substance and meaning. John F. White, President of NET, called Intertel more than a fusion of the creative talents of the organizations involved in producing television programs of outstanding merit. It is a step forward to world understanding, he added. I believe that the exchange of documentaries, while of great significance in the vastness of the mutual understanding in it can foster, is but the first step in a regular exchange of all forms of programming. Donald H. McGannon, President of WBC, hailed the new organization as a pool of the technical and creative ability and knowledge of all the groups which will extend the international horizons of television in all aspects. This is the first practical step, after years of talking and hoping, toward the creation and use of international television for cultural exchange and an effective weapon for peace. By having observers examine topics far removed from their everyday assignments, Intertel gives viewers a fresh viewpoint. The founder members indicated that by dubbing these programs in foreign languages and making them available to all nations, they hoped television companies in Europe, Asia and South America will eventually join this unique project. The supervisory committee for the United States programming segments consists of Mr. McGannon and Mr. White; Richard M. Pack, WBC Vice President Programming; and Robert Hudson, NET Vice President for Programming. Intertel came into formal being November 14, 1960, in a special meeting in Vancouver, B.C., and the culmination of plans for such an association which has been under way for a long time. John McMilliam of Associate Rediffusion, was named contemporary Coordinating Officer at that time. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
- Broadcast Date
- 1969-02-03
- Asset type
- Episode
- Genres
- Documentary
- Media type
- Moving Image
- Duration
- 00:56:20
- Credits
-
-
Camera Operator: Meyers, David
Camera Operator: Constable, Bill
Director: Klugherz, Dan
Editor: Burger, Dena
Narrator: Murrow, Don
Producing Organization: National Educational Television and Radio Center
- AAPB Contributor Holdings
-
Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive
Identifier: [request film based on title] (Indiana University)
Format: 16mm film
-
Library of Congress
Identifier: 2017898-1 (MAVIS Item ID)
Format: 1 inch videotape: SMPTE Type C
Generation: Master
Color: Color
Duration: 0:53:28
-
Library of Congress
Identifier: 2017898-5 (MAVIS Item ID)
Format: 2 inch videotape: Quad
Generation: Master
Color: Color
Duration: 0:53:28
-
Library of Congress
Identifier: 2017898-2 (MAVIS Item ID)
Format: U-matic
Generation: Copy: Access
Color: Color
Duration: 0:53:28
-
Library of Congress
Identifier: 2017898-4 (MAVIS Item ID)
Generation: Copy: Access
Color: Color
-
Library of Congress
Identifier: 2017898-3 (MAVIS Item ID)
Generation: Master
Color: Color
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- Citations
- Chicago: “Intertel; 54; American Samoa: Paradise Lost?,” 1969-02-03, Library of Congress, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed October 16, 2024, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-512-st7dr2qb71.
- MLA: “Intertel; 54; American Samoa: Paradise Lost?.” 1969-02-03. Library of Congress, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. October 16, 2024. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-512-st7dr2qb71>.
- APA: Intertel; 54; American Samoa: Paradise Lost?. Boston, MA: Library of Congress, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-512-st7dr2qb71