"ANOTHER SHADE OF GREEN" 1960s ASTROTURF / MONSANTO ARTIFICIAL TURF PROMO FILM ASTRODOME 91874

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“Another Shade of Green,” a 1960s short film and documentary on the importance of Monsanto’s creation of artificial grass --- brand name Astroturf -- for the college sports landscape of America. Produced, directed, and written by Ron Jacobs for Monsanto. Narrated by the legendary John Facenda, best known for his affiliation with NFL Films. The original AstroTurf product was a short-pile synthetic turf invented in 1965 by James M. Faria and Robert T. Wright of Monsanto. The first installation of "ChemGrass" was at the Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island. After its first use at the Houston Astrodome in 1966, the product was rebranded as AstroTurf. While it would eventually be installed worldwide and have a great reputation, early versions of Astroturf were criticized for allegedly causing injuries, and having traction and directionality issues.
(0:07) An athlete opens a football locker and puts on his protective gear and uniform as a narrator describes him (1:37) Shot of his back as he walks through the stadium tunnel and into the field. Shifts to Boston University players running as a team. Cheerleaders dance in front of the crowd, players gather before the game, and the game commences (3:27) “Another Shade of Green” title card (3:50) Shots of the streets of Boston and students walking around campus as the narrator discusses Monsanto’s development of synthetic surfaces and astroturfs for fields (4:48) Close-up to zoom out of Monsanto company logo (5:04) Scientists in white coats in a Monsanto lab. Shots of carpeting, consumer garments, and household products (6:23) Exterior of the Houston Astrodome, where synthetic Astroturf was first installed (7:04) Men huddle over maps and planning documents. Workers begin preparing for an installation with measurements and tractors driving across the pavement (7:50) A tractor sprays adhesive onto a cement ground. Underpad cushions are rolled out and the Astroturf is placed on top. A worker crawls on the ground as he carefully aligns the Astroturf seams (9:12) Various games taking place on Astroturf, from baseball to football (10:31) Interviews with men in suits and collegiate gear talking about the benefits of Astroturf at their universities (14:22) Football players performing various routines during practice (15:03) Compilation of college bands, cheerleaders, and football games (17:04) A man walks into an empty football field and looks into the distance as the camera zoom out to an exterior view of the Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO (18:40) Credits roll over the St. Louis skyline with the Gateway Arch in the distance.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: "01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference."
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@johnnysama]

That is none other than the one and only John Facenda, god rest his soul, providing the narration.

[@Inquisitor6321]

Timeless voice!

[@Inquisitor6321]

I think that this was made in the early 70s. They showed bits of the A's and Reds playing. That could have only been done in the World Series, probably 1972. Gotta love John Facenda's timeless voice!

[@johnmanier7968]

There’s Rams-Patriots footage that has to be from 1974.

[@stellamcwick8455]

Makes you wonder how they found the time to develop AstroTurf when they were so busy making agent orange.

[@JStarStar00]

Monsanto's original sales spiels for Astroturf said: 1) it would reduce injuries 2) it would be perfect playing conditions regardless of weather 3) the field would last 25+ years and require virtually no maintenance

[@kesslerrb]

Monsanto says a lot of things that later prove to work out differently

[@davidlafleche1142]

"If cows don't eat it, I don't want to play on it!" (Bobby Bonds)

[@Wowzersdude-k5c]

#3 was kinda true. The original nylon fields did last forever. The downside is they were basically a thin carpet over concrete.

[@cowboybob7093]

The synthetic turf today, with all the beads, is amazing

[@billykuan]

Good thing they softened up that cement floor with an inch of padding. lol

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

Ah yes, the synthetic material that destroyed many athletic knees...

[@nickpetrus8761]

Now, outdoor stadiums are back to natural grass. Even in some indoor stadiums.

[@tomservo56954]

Or next generation turf far more like a natural surface...

[@couleewildflowers]

Couldn't help but laugh at the "cushion the fall" narration...shock- absorbing pads indeed...ugh! oof! ouch!

[@davidlafleche1142]

Atroturf is also like a cheese grater. If an outfielder or a receiver dives on it, he could rip off a layer or two of skin. That's why today's receivers wear that white latex stuff on their arms.

[@BallparkHunter]

How did Facenda read this script with a straight face?

[@tomservo56954]

His paycheck...

[@BallparkHunter]

@@tomservo56954 after he finished, there are a few outtakes of his disgust over the green turf

[@pepeshopping]

Monsanto. Selling you fake chemicals and false promises…

[@Inquisitor6321]

While secretly poisoning you with agent orange through GMO food technology.

[@BallparkHunter]

This has to have been released in 1974. There’s a clip of the Jets at Eagles, which took place in Dec. 1973. However, it might have been a pre-season game in 1972, but who knows.

[@tomservo56954]

I don't know what happened to John Davis...but Boston University ended its football program in 1997, incurring multi-million dollar losses. Nickerson Field and its Astroturf are still there for other sports (and the big brick building behind the stands, the former Commonwealth Armory, was replaced with high-rise dorms that have been compared to luxury apartments)

[@Gannett2011]

I think around 4:03 the cameraman had other things on his mind than synthetic surfaces

[@trisrush9155]

Monsanto…. Ooof.

[@nflbetteroldstyle]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnnyb3126]

Cool video 📸👍

[@MMAALL]

But it’s still not the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

[@aarond23]

Short term what they are saying is probably true, but astroturf didn't stand the test of time, and there was bigger strides in natural grass tech than astroturf tech

[@financialconnectioninc]

Some of the cars shown in video place this in the early 70's.

[@Wowzersdude-k5c]

I love the perverted cameraman at 4:03. 🤣

[@jasondelaney6849]

I don't see the Astrodome

[@tomservo56954]

Not relevant to this sales pitch...

[@jasondelaney6849]

@@tomservo56954 the title says Astrodome in it

[@rapman5791]

6:21 I see it Don’t blink, you might miss it.

[@jasondelaney6849]

@@rapman5791 good eye

[@justinconroy5621]

[c] 1960 jager producgions

[@Jimmyjimjimjim]

Another reason to dislike Monsanto; astro-turf.

[@danorthsidemang3834]

"Like a prowling big-eyed BUG" 😆