The Pencil and the Plow (1958) was made by Atlas Film Corp. and sponsored by the Sinclair Oil & Refining Corp. The film begins with a discussion of the state of agriculture in the USA during the late 1950’s. During this time period farmers began to move from producing blind towards analyzing trends in market in order to increase profits as the US economy and world economy evolved. After the close of WWII, markets and consumer needs changed. Packaging of goods at the market place also changed as farmers were encouraged to sell more goods which consumers would be known to buy. Farmers were also able to operate with better knowledge about weather patterns (1:41). This film is presented by the Sinclair Refining Company (2:15) and directed by Louis J. Marlowe (2:15). The Department of Agriculture participated in the production of this film (2:24). The film introduces a narrative of a family in order to display these advances (2:51). A farmer; Carl, and his son; Lonnie work to patch the farm house roof (2:51). A second son; an artist named Frank, works to paint an image of the barn (3:09). Carl expresses distaste for Frank’s chosen career as a city bound artist (4:46). Frank explains to Carl as a commercial artist he too must study his own market similar to how the farmers market must be studied (5:25). The group listens to the radio dairy prices were expected to increase (8:06). The radio host goes on to explain the soybean situation. The radio became viable source for information for commercial farmers. At home, Lonnie and his wife await Frank and his partner (9:00). Lonnie explains how unpredictable variables could be accounted for (9:31) as he plots the exact amount of time it would take for their guests to arrive (10:23). The couples discusses modern achievements in farming (11:23). Frank begins to sketch Lonnie (12:40). Lonnie explains how he began by studying Agricultural Outlook Reports and attending Outlook meetings. Due to the population boom, he expected the economy would need more dairy (13:02). Volunteer livestock and crop reporters began to turn up (13:52) and the information gathered produced a projected forecast. A plow moves through a field during spring harvest (14:14). Outlook reports and information are released daily through the television, the radio and newspapers (14:36). Frank shows sketches of various artists across the US (15:08). Due to Lonnie’s research, Carl chose to plant soybeans (17:04). At the dairy farm, the cows are milked (19:20) and Lonnie shows where he stores his records (19:30). Mr. Tyree; a notably successful local farmer visits the boys (20:03). Mr. Tyree explains his recent success was due to analyzing the market and taking generous advice from Carl (21:04). Stalls are cleaned (23:55), the fields are plowed (24:04) and farm equipment is inspected (24:20). The final truckload of that year’s crop leave the farm for the market (25:19). Edie arrives with mail from Frank (25:54). Frank’s sketch of Lonnie sits on the cover of the Farmer’s Market (26:32). This film was produced by Atlas Film Corp. (26:48).
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