Reviews

I watched the Chun King Chow Mein Hour as a grade school child. It aired on ABC. Today, were someone to produce this show, ABC would not likely air it, due to what we (today) would call ethnic insensitivities. But one should not judge one era by another's standards.

What I enjoy about the show is the classic Freberg approach, applying satire to the events and media of the day. His "Simg Along With Freeb" is hilarious...if you remember "Sing Along With Mitch" If not, it's just silliness.

I'm also impressed with the cameos by the stars of the day.

I was fortunate enough to acquire a copy of the show on VHS several years ago. I don't know that any digital media exist. I'd buy a DVD if there were a legal one. But, being Freberg-addicted, that's true of any video of his.

I found a DVD of this film on The Historical Archive's website. The characters lack real-life complexity. The story is thin, and clearly skewed to showcase producer Westinghouse's exhibits. It's clearly the product of its culture (would you feature a cigarette-smoking robot in a promotional film today?). But there's not much better in terms of experiencing a visit via film. Much video exists but most is silent. And it's mostly unedited. This gives you a story you can watch and enjoy, and you get some idea of what a day at that fair must have been like. This film left me wanting more, but at least it gave me something of an experience. I'd buy it again.