In the Beginning
In the Beginning is a short film from 1935 (sound added 1937) released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
Contents. The evolution of life and the fundamentals of mammalian reproduction, presented through animation, photomicrography, and natural photography.
The commentator quotes William Harvey's statement that all animals have their origin in the single egg cell and views of several different animals illustrate this remark. Marching cadets, girls dressed in white marching in a religious procession, and men at work are shown as the commentator says, " all of mankind who have lived and labored on this planet since the beginning -- all have come from the microscopic egg, many, many times smaller than a mustard seed."
The investigation into the beginnings of life opens with views of biologists operating on a rabbit. Close-ups show the uterus, the ovary, the follicles, and oviduct. In an animated drawing the reproductive organs of a female rabbit are identified and their functions explained. Close-ups many times normal size show a follicle bursting and releasing the egg. A recently fertilized egg is washed out of the rabbit's oviduct. The reel closes with a microscopic view of the egg.
Reel 2 opens with microscopic views of sperm cells approaching the egg. One and, as the commentator explains, only one enters the egg. When the sperm enters the egg, a membrane forms that excludes the other sperm cells. Under the microscope a fertilized egg is shown dividing into cells as the commentator explains the process of accelerating growth. After a close-up of the rabbit's uterus, which contains seven rabbit embryos, one embryo is removed from the uterus. The placenta and umbilical cord are clearly identified. Adult animals with their young and finally a human baby are shown.| In the Beginning | |
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| Produced by | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dairy Industry, Extension Service, Division of Motion Pictures |
Production companies | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dairy Industry, Extension Service, Division of Motion Pictures |
| Distributed by | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dairy Industry, Extension Service, Division of Motion Pictures |
Release date | 1935 (sound added 1937) |
Running time | 15:42 |
| Language | English |
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