“ALCOHOLISM“ 1951 ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA EDUCATIONAL FILM YALE CENTER OF ALCOHOL STUDIES XD66114

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “Alcoholism,” is a black-and-white PSA-style film from 1951 produced by Encyclopedia Britannica Films, Inc. in collaboration with Selden D. Bacon Ph.D. of the Yale Center of Alcohol Studies and Dr. Raymond G. McCarthy. The film sheds light on alcoholism as a mental health problem and illness that can be treated like any other medical ailment as understood through the stories of Dr. Raymond G. McCarthy’s patients. The film underscores that the roots of alcoholism are embedded in personality difficulties formed during childhood due to difficult interpersonal relationships. Additionally, the film looks at different forms of alcoholism and their different treatment methods with an emphasis on the benefits of regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Opening credits (0:06). Dr. Raymond G. McCarthy speaks from office at Yale University, holds file folder (0:16). Case #1: Ed Grimer, middle-aged man speaks to Dr. McCarthy in office while nervously clasping hands (0:36). Ed Grimer’s background, reenactment: young boy sits at dining room table and draws with crayons however father comes over and criticizes work (2:27). School-aged Ed sits in classroom and bites lip while concentrating on book (2:42). Teenage ed adds alcohol to soda while sitting with friend (3:00). Adult Ed hugs his wife at a cocktail party he’s hosting at home (3:07). Ed stands at bar cart and mixes a cocktail (3:37). Ed’s wife tends to him as he’s hungover in bed (4:02). Ed sits with Dr. McCarthy and discloses his problems with alcoholism (4:34). Perhaps 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline pulls into driveway of home (5:03). Ed’s wife greets him at home, entry salon with coat closet, side tables with trinkets (5:22). Ed works late into night typing away at typewriter, cigarette dangles from mouth (6:34). Wife checks on Ed and notices liquor cabinet is open (7:04). Ed enters office of colleague, boasts about his presentation (7:31). Ed and colleague sip martinis at crowded bar (8:06). Outline of shot glass being filled overlaid alcohol bottles lined up at bar, Ed laughs with new buddies he has made at bar (9:26-10:16). Camera blurs as it zooms into Ed’s eyes (10:17). Tap of bathroom sink comes into focus, empty beer bottle rests on mirror, Ed wakes from drunken stupor in motel room (10:40). Ed stumbles along commercial street, passes newspaper vendor and checks paper (11:34). Ed peers into window display of general store and sees catcher’s mitt (12:14). Ed returns home - checks all rooms in house for his wife, finds note in bedroom and weeps on bed (12:42). Ed back in office of Dr. McCarthy - Doctor explains why alcoholics can’t handle themselves with alcohol (13:30). Case #2: Frank, mechanic, hunches over car engine while fixing it (14:40). Frank sits alone in rocking chair and drinks wine (14:59). Frank punches in for work, punch cards organized in rack hanging on wall (15:34). PSA poster about alcoholism hangs next to punch cards (15:41). Frank and other man in suit enter auditorium hosting Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, two men go around greeting other meeting attendees (15:52). Return to Dr. McCarthy’s office, meeting with Ed (16:17). Case #3: Mrs. Lenford sits on sofa in nightgown, glass in hand, playing cards on coffee table (16:27). Mrs. Lenford’s husband comes home, she quickly hides bottles (16:50). Return to Dr. McCarthy’s office, meeting with Ed - Dr. McCarthy stands besides filing cabinet, posters about Alcoholism hang on wall (17:32). Close-up of patient notes stacking up (19:05). Ed’s wife, boss, and other colleagues in meetings with Dr. McCarthy (19:15). Ed sits with other middle-aged men dressed in suits, group therapy (19:35). Ed in Perhaps 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline pulls into driveway (20:38). Ed’s son, young boy in jeans and t-shirt, plays catch in front yard (20:43). Dr. McCarthy talks to camera from his office, closing words (21:13). Selden Daskam Bacon, PhD was a Yale professor of sociology and an alcoholism researcher. Together with E. Morton Jellinek and Howard W. Haggard, he was an important developer of the disease model of alcohol addiction in the 1940s This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
Back to Top