Jean Mitry – Pacific 231

An evening pause: I would never sit through a performance of the music played during this 1949 short film showing the power of the steam locomotive. Juxtapositioned with the powerful images of the train in motion, however, this music works splendidly. The film itself is an example of the kind of short avant garde films produced during the 1950s and 1950s, and well worth watching.

Hat tip Blair Ivey.

Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

An evening pause: This recreation attempts to recapture the reality of how Lincoln himself might have said the speech. Listen to the words, however. This is no pandering speech, as we routinely see today. It is hard, muscled, and honest, bluntly recognizing that all, from both sides of the Civil War, must pay for the scourge of slavery.

It is fitting to watch it today, on the anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination.

Hat tip Jim Mallamace.

The Last Day

An evening pause: This short Israeli film seems pertinent as I leave for Israel again to visit family. The film was made before 2012, and attempts to portray a moment in the future.

When I first scheduled this, I suggested that people make sure they read the analysis at the youtube website. Youtube however has terminated this filmmaker’s account. I wonder why. Could it be because some from the Islamic world complained? Could it be that some within the google/youtube world didn’t like its message?

The video is still on youtube, however, posted by others. Freedom lives, even as some try to squelch it.

Hat tip Jim Mallamace.

Eric Church – Kill A Word

An evening pause: The song’s sentiment, that one should speak with care, I endorse heartily. One should always have the right, however, to say harsh things, if only because sometimes harsh things must be said. It is a shame that too many people in today’s culture think instead that they have the right to preemptively silence such speech, because it might offend someone.

Hat tip Joe Griffin.

Rush – Countdown

An evening pause: The video focuses on a shuttle launch, but I think the words apply to all launches, and especially to those that break new ground.

Excitement so thick you could cut it with a knife
Technology…high, on the leading edge of life

Hat tip Commodude.

Deborah Kerr – I whistle a happy tune

<An evening pause: From the 1956 Rodgers & Hammerstein Hollywood musical, The King and I. The song, actually sung by Marni Nixon, invokes a lesson I have learned works in almost every situation. Act like you belong and have the right to do what you are doing and people will accept this without question. This worked especially well when I was in the movie business.

The song’s lesson is also a good portrayal of the optimism and courage of the American culture in the mid-twentieth century. All good things were possible, if we showed courage and determination.

Hat tip Edward Thelen.

The math hidden in Van Gogh’s Starry Night

An evening pause: This pause is very apropos to some of Juno’s more recent Jupiter images.

Hat tip to Mike Nelson.

By the way, I am open to Evening Pause suggestions from all my readers. If you have seen something that you think might fit as an evening pause, make a comment here telling me you have a suggestion. Don’t provide the link to the suggestion. I will email you so that you can send it to me direct and I can then schedule it.

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