The Thinking Machine

Complete catalog record
Explores whether computers “think,” what is “thinking?” Categorizes what it is to “think.”
Shows computers storing information and data.
Retrospective of “memory devices” used through history.
LS of scientific-looking room (sci-fi style)
MS of man at large computers (boards, buttons, etc.)
LS of massive computer room with EXPLOSION
MCU of robot “falling in love with another robot”
(Switch to) Animation- of robots and computers, a man in a field picking up stones to count with. Asian’s with abacus (slightly derogatory)... Animation ends.
CU of red lights/lamps for storing basic information
CU (w/ pan) of “magnetic devices;” Tape, records, and wires. Large computers (huge!). Young woman with typewriter.
Animation of computer playing chess with person (end).
CU on chess board
CU computer playing chess/on computer screen
computer wins chess tournament
CU model for “logic” using circuits
Many CUs on massive computer paraphernalia (buttons, wires, monitors, etc.)
Animation of computer cartoon doing math, outer space graph
MS and CU of scientist using computer and computer pen on graph
CU montage with envelopes (post office)
Animation of letter “A”
XCU on books with overlay/double-exp. of different
languages
Animation of vixen-like woman with computer (re: love), end.
MS on woman working with computers, backwards zoom past rows and rows of computers.
Animation of girl at computer, a robot watching a sculptor work/computer breaks sculpture, end.
CU- montage of sheet music, painting, hippie drag car...
then computer “art,” (early) computer animation, computer music.
MS man with computers (“man made computers”)
MS (w/ pan) of woman typing, pan-up to many woman typing in cubicles.
Animation of numbers, human head,/brain.

Male voice-over/fun “computer” sci-fi noises.
Animation dispersed throughout.

Related films

Sources

  1. 16mm Filmography (legacy record) — title, year, creator, length, catalog record