American Studies

Examines the political activism of the religious New Right, focusing on their anti-abortion efforts. Combining interviews with scenes filmed at anti-abortion conventions and demonstrations, the video provides a revealing, inside look at the movement and its philosophy as expressed by its leaders as well as its rank and file activists.

This remarkable, three-part video series thrusts viewers into the front lines of the struggle over abortion rights between members of Operation Rescue, pro-choice demonstrators, clinic staff and patients.

Examines U.S. immigration policy, its history as well as the current crisis, and shows how public opinion, human rights and political issues have historically influenced policy decisions.

Examines the Sanctuary Movement, a modern-day underground railroad in which American citizens, supported by churches, synagogues and other organizations, transport political refugees from Central America to places of refuge in the U.S.

Examines the situation of communes-small, voluntary social communities isolated from general society which share a common ideology and social purpose-in the U.S.

Completed shortly after his April 1989 suicide, this provocative and comic NYC deli encounter between Sixties radical-emeritus Abbie Hoffman (on the eve of his 50th birthday) and actress/filmmaker Nancy Cohen shows the self-proclaimed "Jewish Road Warrior" at his feisty, outspoken and humorous best. He comments on politics and youth in the '60s, '70s and '80s, men and women, food and sex, life underground and in prison, fleeting fame, midlife crises and death.

A biographical profile of America's leading consumer advocate and author who has been responsible for the passage of dozens of major environmental, consumer and safety re- forms.

A biographical profile of America's leading consumer advocate and author who has been responsible for the passage of dozens of major environmental, consumer and safety re- forms.

A biographical profile of America's leading consumer advocate and author who has been responsible for the passage of dozens of major environmental, consumer and safety reforms.

'Lowriders,' car enthusiasts who spend thousands of dollars to customize their cars, explain their hobby and discuss media stereotype of lowriding as a gang-related activity, as well as racism and police harassment

An offbeat documentary portrait of Lily Dale, New York, one of America's oldest spiritualist communities, where just about everyone is a psychic or a medium who claims to be able to communicate with the dead. The video includes interviews with several mediums in Lily Dale and shows them as they give private readings, perform public healings, and take part in outdoor services where they receive messages "from the spirit side of life."

Examines the U.S. Navy's control and use of Vieques, a satellite island and municipality of Puerto Rico, as a military training, exercise and deployment base.

Chronicles the life stories of four individuals from New York's Puerto Rican community, each of whom has attempted to assimilate to life in America, but who also maintain strong ties to their cultural heritage.

An investigative (but frequently humorous) documentary on the surveillance activities of the New York City Police Department's Bureau of Special Services, known as the Red Squad.

A colorful and provocative survey of anarchism in America which attempts to dispel popular misconceptions and to trace its historical development, both as a native American philosophy stemming from 19th century American traditions of individualism and as a foreign ideology brought to America by immigrants. It features rare archival footage of significant personalities and events in anarchist history.

A portrait of the life and career of Albert B. `Happy' Chandler, documenting his rise from rural poverty to a long career in public office, from Governor of Kentucky, to U.S. Senator during WWII, Commissioner of Baseball during the 1950s, and two-time candidate as the Democratic nominee for President. The result is a compelling portrait of a consummate Southern politician and the `stump speaking' era of American politics.

This "video album" features rare home movies, interviews and archival footage of the Kennedy family, from their childhood to their rise to power. It's an intimate and revealing look at their public and private lives, revealing the Kennedy wit, charisma, and political savvy that captivated the nation and the world.

Charge and Countercharge depicts the rise and fall of Joseph R. McCarthy, the Junior Senator from Wisconsin whose name became a household word in the '50s and coined a term for a political attitude that is still with us today. Beginning with a montage of events that led to the Cold War, this film focuses on the famous Army-McCarthy hearings which were televised in the Spring of 1954.

In this in-depth interview with Peter Dale Scott, University of California Professor and author of such books as The Iran-Contra Connection and Deep Politics and the Death of JFK, Scott explains his concepts of "deep politics" and "parapolitics" and their roles in the shadowy, subterranean world of American politics, especially in such major scandals as Watergate, the Iran-Contra Affair, and the JFK assassination.

This video offers an unusually revealing, behind-the-scenes look at the hectic daily working lives of our elected members of the Senate and House of Representatives.