The Purple Martin Story (sound)

Description: Introduction to the Purple Martin, a type of migrating swallow that, because of its voracious appetite for flying insects, was proposed as a mosquito-abatement alternative to dangerous pesticides such as DDT. The film advocates erecting special metal houses, made by film sponsor Trio Manufacturing Company, to attract and protect the birds. The film was co-sponsored by a grassroots community group with the help of the local Jaycees. (Paraphrased from The Field Guide to Sponsored Films, p. 77).

Birdhouses are built and distributed throughout town to invite the Purple Martin to nest and perform district-wide mosquito control.

From title in film:

"Filmed at Griggsville, Illinois, the Purple Martin capital of the world"

Reuse Statement: For information on reusing Prelinger Archives footage and obtaining written usage agreements, please visit www.prelinger.com.

Subjects: 1960s, Animals, Human-animal relationships, Health and hygiene

Tags: wildlife; bird houses; birdhouses; pest control; hygiene; mosquitoes; insect control; amateur radio; ham radio; Illinois; agriculture; county fairs; Griggsville sign; people of color; carnival scenes; fair scenes; fairgrounds; horse race; close up of birds; street view; street scenes; narration; music; mosquito abatement; Western Illinois Fair billboard; large birdhouses; hollow gourd houses; birdhouse design; Trio-Musselman Martin Houses; Trio Manufacturing Co.

Film Sponsor: Griggsville Wild Bird Society; Trio Manufacturing Co.

Creator: Griggsville Wild Bird Society

Credits: Narrated by Rex Davis. Writer: George Mobus. Camera: Wayne Bradshaw. Produced by Griggsville Wild Bird Society.

Distributor:

Contributor: Prelinger Archives

Source Collection: Prelinger Archives

Digitizing Sponsor: Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW) and Internet Archive

Production Date: 1966

Release Date:

Geographical Location: USA; Illinois; Pennsylvania; Griggsville, Illinois; Greencastle, Pennsylvania

Genre/Form: sponsored

Language: eng

Rights: Not registered for copyright. No notice on film.

Film Format: 16mm film

Element: print

Color: color

Color Process: Eastman Color

Sound or Silent: sound

Film Soundtrack Type: optical

Edge Code:

Frame Rate: 24 fps

Length (feet): 457