Edison, the Man: Movie Review
Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 10 years, 3 months ago to Movies
Edison, the Man: Movie Review
Movie, Biography. (1940)
Spencer Tracy, Rita Johnson, Lynne Overman.
Inventor Thomas Alva Edison marries, raises a family and illuminates Manhattan with electric light. B&W.
Spencer Tracy, after researching Mr. Edison, gives a performance as only he can. The movie examines the life and accomplishments of the Master of Menlo Park, the epitome of an entrepreneur.
It is a confluence of time and a man of vision, inspiration and determination. It is the golden age of invention and industry. Spencer Tracy gives a wonder portrayal of the great Mr. Edison, during his most productive years. From his invention of a more advanced ticker tape machine, electric pen, the phonograph and the electric light the movie focuses on an exciting time of his early years.
His perseverance even through near financial ruin to his greatest triumphs is a story of wonder. The man, though not perfect is owed by humanity a debt that can never be paid. Slammed and ridiculed by some of the most powerful men and scientists of the time and called a charlatan that can’t possibly produce a reliable electric light he tries every plausible element known only to see them disintegrate. Then in a stroke of genius he realizes the atmosphere is part of the problem and a vacuum is needed. However, even after 9000 failed experiments he pushes on.
Reminding Mr. Edison of himself, a young Jimmy Price shows up and Edison gives him a job. After all the failed attempts, Edison conceives of using carbon, or more accurately a carbon impregnated cotton thread placed in the vacuum and with the assistance of several workers as well as Mr. Price success is finally achieved! The electric light bulb is born! The world will never be the same!
Edison goes on to prove to the world that the electric light can replace gas by illuminating Manhattan at his own expense even though he will need to build a dynamo more powerful than ever created; a challenge in itself. In so doing he will have to fight one of the toughest fights and challenges of his life. It will be the resistance of his competition, the powerful gas magnates and government cronies. He is only granted 6 months to accomplish the monumental task; yet against all odds achieves the feat that will illuminate the world!
The numerous inventions that followed were frosting on the cake. He would be remembered as an icon even if they never occurred. The man was not without faults and the history of his fights with Tesla, and Westinghouse, etc. are well known examples, but what mortal man is perfect? Regardless of his failings should we not revere and extol the accomplishments and not besmirch the man for his humanity? He was a true entrepreneur.
Today we can still visit a replica of Edison’s Lab and see a bulb of his design that has been burning non-stop for decades at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mi.
The legacy lives on.
Respectfully,
O.A.
Movie, Biography. (1940)
Spencer Tracy, Rita Johnson, Lynne Overman.
Inventor Thomas Alva Edison marries, raises a family and illuminates Manhattan with electric light. B&W.
Spencer Tracy, after researching Mr. Edison, gives a performance as only he can. The movie examines the life and accomplishments of the Master of Menlo Park, the epitome of an entrepreneur.
It is a confluence of time and a man of vision, inspiration and determination. It is the golden age of invention and industry. Spencer Tracy gives a wonder portrayal of the great Mr. Edison, during his most productive years. From his invention of a more advanced ticker tape machine, electric pen, the phonograph and the electric light the movie focuses on an exciting time of his early years.
His perseverance even through near financial ruin to his greatest triumphs is a story of wonder. The man, though not perfect is owed by humanity a debt that can never be paid. Slammed and ridiculed by some of the most powerful men and scientists of the time and called a charlatan that can’t possibly produce a reliable electric light he tries every plausible element known only to see them disintegrate. Then in a stroke of genius he realizes the atmosphere is part of the problem and a vacuum is needed. However, even after 9000 failed experiments he pushes on.
Reminding Mr. Edison of himself, a young Jimmy Price shows up and Edison gives him a job. After all the failed attempts, Edison conceives of using carbon, or more accurately a carbon impregnated cotton thread placed in the vacuum and with the assistance of several workers as well as Mr. Price success is finally achieved! The electric light bulb is born! The world will never be the same!
Edison goes on to prove to the world that the electric light can replace gas by illuminating Manhattan at his own expense even though he will need to build a dynamo more powerful than ever created; a challenge in itself. In so doing he will have to fight one of the toughest fights and challenges of his life. It will be the resistance of his competition, the powerful gas magnates and government cronies. He is only granted 6 months to accomplish the monumental task; yet against all odds achieves the feat that will illuminate the world!
The numerous inventions that followed were frosting on the cake. He would be remembered as an icon even if they never occurred. The man was not without faults and the history of his fights with Tesla, and Westinghouse, etc. are well known examples, but what mortal man is perfect? Regardless of his failings should we not revere and extol the accomplishments and not besmirch the man for his humanity? He was a true entrepreneur.
Today we can still visit a replica of Edison’s Lab and see a bulb of his design that has been burning non-stop for decades at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mi.
The legacy lives on.
Respectfully,
O.A.
Absolutely. Although not always cast in the most favorable light, the History Channels "The Men Who Built America" series was worth watching. Of course I imagine too many of our youth were busy playing xbox... It really is strange to me how much has changed since I was a youth in school. I was taught about so many great things and people that seem of import that my great/grand nieces and nephews seem completely oblivious too...
Regards,
O.A.
I wonder how much Edison is included in common core, and if it delves into rugged individualism and entrepeneurial spirit? Oh wait, that would lead right into a real talk about freedom and principles... never mind.
I have never been to replica of his lab, but I heard it had huge windows to let in natural light because when he opened it there were no reliable and electric lamps.
"Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
If you get a chance check out this old movie. Apparently Tracy did a lot of research on the man before doing the part. The focus is on the earlier years and breakthroughs. He is depicted in a good light in this movie, that as I stated focuses on the early days... History seems to tell two tales of the man. One favorable and one not quite so much. In any case Tracy as always does a fine job. I have visited the replica in Dearborn several times. The last time was about two years ago. Still inspirational... There are gas lamps and windows. :) I'm sure the movie is available at TCM.com if not easily found elsewhere.
Regards,
O.A.