Stone age culture of New Guinea

Collection

Identifier: Film Collection no. 84

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Ernest Thomas Gilliard, AMNH ornithologist, presents specimens of birds of paradise he has collected on a recent expedition to the Sepik River Valley in New Guinea. The feathers from these rare birds, found almost exclusively in New Guinea, are used by the natives in their decorative costumes. Thomas Gilliard's wife Margaret demonstrates how the headdresses are made. Margaret Mead, noted ethnologist at the Museum, narrates a film excerpted from Thomas Gilliard's 1953-1954 Sepik Expedition and discusses the customs depicted in the film. Mead had studied the Iatmul people, those shown in the film, as a young anthropologist in New Guinea.

Dates

1954

Creator

American Museum of Natural History (Organization)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Not available through inter-library loan. Contact AMNH Library Special Collections for terms of access.

Extent

1 Film Reel (30 minutes) : sound, black and white ; 16 mm.

1 Videocassette (U-Matic (30 minutes)) : sound, black and white ; 3/4 in.

Additional Description

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

3/4 in., U-Matic, viewing copy

Other Finding Aids

Finding aid: script.

General

Original format: 16mm kinescope.

General

Originally aired Nov. 21, 1954 as part of the CBS/AMNH Adventure television series.

General

http://libcat1.amnh.org/record=b1138733

General

Charles Collingwood, host; Mel Ferber, director; Perry Wolff, producer; Robert Northshield and Jac Venza, assistant producers; Shelby Gordon, script editor; Robert Northshield, writer; Grover Cole, production design; Bernard Birnbaum, supervisor of film; J. Jack Howerton, technical director; Myron Bleam, set director; Dean Nelson, lighting.