Roar Of The Rails

During the Christmas seasons of 1948 and 1949, The A. C. Gilbert Company sponsored Roar Of The Rails, a live, 15 minute television drama set in the fictional James household.

Each week Grandpa would tell his young grandson a story of railroad lore. The stories were illustrated with American Flyer trains and accessories, operating on well landscaped layouts.

Here are seven recently discovered episodes--complete with commercials promoting American Flyer trains and accessories, Erector Sets, Chemistry Sets, Microscopes, Mysto Magic Sets, and Junior Erector.

They will take you back to a post-war era of family, childhood, Christmas, and electric trains, and to a time when one of our biggest concerns was whether the best electric trains ran on two-rail track or three-rail track.

B&W. Approx. 105 Min.....$49.95

The American Flyer Boys' Railroad Club

The Boys' Railroad Club was a series of 6 fifteen minute films produced for The A. C. Gilbert Company in 1950, primarily at the gigantic American Flyer layout at the Gilbert Hall Of Science in New York City. They were aired on tv stations across the country from 1950 to 1952.

In reality they were 15 minute commercials for American Flyer electric trains. In each episode, the boys in the club, met in a basement with a very elaborate train layout and were visited by a guest from a major railroad.

The guest would tell about his job on the real railroad, watch the boys run their American Flyer Trains & Accessories, and comment about how realistic they looked and sounded.

Made from what is believed to be the only surviving complete set of all 6 episodes, this high quality video is the only one offered with all 6 episodes of Boys' Railroad Club.

B&W. Approx. 78 Min.....$39.95

The 1959 Gilbert Film Spectacular

The A. C. Gilbert Company's advertising strategy during the Christmas season of 1959 included having their products featured on popular family TV shows. In order to showcase this effort to their dealers, Gilbert enlisted the help of TV personality Danny Thomas and his Producer/Director, Sheldon Leonard. The result was The 1959 Gilbert Film Spectacular.

This one-of-a-kind 40 minute film showed Gilbert products appearing on such network programs as The Bob Cummings Show, Top Dollar, Concentration, Perry Mason, Bingo, It Could Be You, Split Personality, The Price Is Right, Beat The Clock, Zane Gray Theater, Truth Or Consequences, Queen For A Day, On The Go, and Arthur Murrys Party.

You will see American Flyer trains, Gilbert Chemistry Sets, Microscopes, and Erector Sets as they appeared on the favorite TV shows of 1959.

B&W 40 Min.....$29.95

Date With The Angels'

Set in a department store toy department, this vintage 1957 Christmas episode starred Betty White and Bill Williams as Vicky & Gus Angel.

Its a charming and whimsical half-hour show about a department store Santa Clause who gives away the dolls and American Flyer trains that the store is supposed to be selling!

Youll see a large American Flyer train layout throughout the show, along with Erector Sets and other toys of that time period. A supporting cast of well known 50's favorites such as Bert Mustin, Richard Deacon, Hanley Stafford & Nancy Kulp add to the nostalgia.

This tape has it all! A heartwarming Christmas story, electric trains and the good old days!

B&W. 30 Min.....$14.95

Adventures In Science

Adventures In Science was produced by the A. C. Gilbert Company in cooperation with the President's Committee for Scientists and Engineers. It's purpose was to encourage youngsters to pursue a career in science, engineering, or chemistry. Having Gilbert produce the film seemed only natural in light of the company's sterling reputation for inspiring America's youth with the scientific toys it manufactured.

On the cutting edge for its time, the film demonstrated how science aided our national security and told of promising careers in nuclear power generation and nuclear medicine, development of solar power, and computer controlled manufacturing. It even suggested that we would soon be able to put a man on the moon!

The film concluded with an appearance by President Dwight Eisenhower explaining that we would need more scientists and engineers by the thousands if we were to keep up with the Russians in the area of research and development.

Completed at the end of the Eisenhower administration and released in early 1960, this film clearly illustrated the depth of the company's contribution and commitment to their young customers beyond merely selling Gilbert products.

B&W. 30 Min.....$14.95

The A. C. Gilbert Company - Final Passage

Final Passage is a rare look back at some of the final products and advertising of the A. C. Gilbert Company just prior to its demise.

First, you will see 6 television commercials from 1963 promoting such bizarre Gilbert products as Scrubble Bubble, Wing Thing, My Mixer, AutoRama Race Cars, Game Train, and Tuggy The Turtle..

Next, you will see the spring 1965 Gilbert Toy Fair film that introduced the entire Gilbert product line for 1965. This rare 13 minute color film showcased American Flyer All Aboard Electric Trains, Erector, Erector Constructor, Ride Em Erector, ChemLab, Microscopes, and Gilbert Power Steering/Pit Stop Race Cars. It also detailed Gilbert's massive television advertising campaign for 1965 and previewed the commercials that were used.

B&W and Color. 20 Min.....$14.95