A Dickens of a Christmas

A Dickens of a Christmas brings together drama, insight, and humor to tell the story of the influence Charles Dickens has had on our most celebrated holiday season. Professor Elliot Engel, ably assisted by the character-portrayal of actress Quinn Hawkesworth, provides an engrossing and little-known glimpse into our time-honored Christmas traditions. A Dickens of a Christmas is a holiday treat for the entire family, and will provide a deeper understanding of why we celebrate this season with the symbolism and traditions that we all know and love. It is filled with humorous and entertaining passages from various literary works and the dramatic and energized readings by Quinn Hawkesworth are sure to delight one and all.

Professor Engel is a scholar and performer whose infectious enthusiasm and radiant wit create an imaginative and delightful presentation.”  (Cedric Charles Dickens, Charles Dickens’ great-grandson)

Running Time: 70 minutes
NTSC Color: Copyright 1997

DVD12  A Dickens of a Christmas
ISBN 978-1-890123-69-7

A Light History of the English Language

NEW! Expanded Version! This is a thoroughly entertaining glimpse into the origins and development of our native language with enough English trivia thrown in to satisfy even the language experts among us. In his unique style of story-telling, Professor Elliot Engel reveals why our language developed in such a fascinating way from the Celts, to the Anglo-Saxons, to the invading French. The origins of some of our common words and phrases that we use daily are sure to surprise you. Professor Engel’s videos have been described as “the perfect introductory lectures” because they combine just the right mixture of history, information, and humor, and because they tend to generate future interest and study by the viewer. Viewers feel like they have been made privy to “inside information” or that they have had a personal experience with the character or subject matter. Professor Engel’s lectures are unforgettable, and its almost guaranteed that the viewer will be quoting the professor or telling others about the experience. Professor Elliot Engel brings the history of our language to life in a way that will appeal to young and old alike. Using anecdote, analysis, and large doses of humor, he gives new insights in the development of our native tongue.

A Light History of the English Language is a great introductory essay on English literature, the origins of the English language, and especially Professor Engel’s Writing Wonders Series.

“The crown jewel of the entire lecture series.”  Wisconsin Bookwatch

Running Time: 45 minutes
NTSC Color: Copyright 2009

DVD11  A Light History of the English Language
ISBN 978-1-890123-57-4

Charles Dickens, Tonight!

Dr. Elliot Engel and actor Jeffery West have combined their talents to produce a fine evening of fact combined with fantasy regarding Engel’s favorite subject, Charles Dickens. Engel is, himself, widely known as one of the most knowledgeable scholars on the subject, and this endeavor is the next in a very long line of works he has researched, written, and published on a wide span of English and American literary greats. The show is based on the more than 400 public readings Dickens gave of his own works across the two countries of England and America during the last half of the 19th century. Professor Engel has selected some of the very best of the readings that Dickens himself used while on his tour, including of course A Christmas Carol, along with selections from Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, and A Tale of Two Cities. Jeffery West, as Charles Dickens, performs these readings, and they are, as readings, spectacular.

“Exceedingly entertaining, and quite satisfying for any Dickens aficionado.”  Alan R. Hall, Themestream

Running Time: 93 minutes
NTSC Color: Copyright 2002

DVD16  Charles Dickens, Tonight!
ISBN 978-1-890123-71-0

Charles Dickens: A Light & Enlightening Look

In this first entry in the Writing Wonders Series, Professor Elliot Engel bares the surprising roots of Charles Dickens’ unique imagination and demonstrates that the author’s life was far more astonishing than any of his novels. Using anecdote, analysis, and large doses of humor, Professor Engel gives new insights into the background, life, and accomplishments of this great Master of Literature. The video is suitable for ages twelve and up and provides an interesting and little-known glimpse into the life of the beloved writer. Rare photographs and drawings are used to compliment Professor Engel’s presentation.

“Every school and community library should have these wonderful lectures-on-video as the core of their video collection.” Wisconsin Bookwatch

Running Time: 44 minutes
NTSC Color: Copyright 1995

DVD3  Charles Dickens: A Light & Enlightening Look
ISBN 978-1-890123-61-1

Edgar Allan Poe: A Light & Enlightening Look

Most people know the name of Edgar Allan Poe, but few know that, at the age of 20, he single handedly invented the literary horror story and the short story as we know it today, but that most of his stories pale in comparison to his own life—filled with death and horror. Edgar Allan Poe: A Light and Enlightening Look is a thoroughly entertaining fifty-two minute video program featuring Professor Elliot Engel. Parts of the program were shot on location in Richmond, Virginia, where Poe lived for many years.
 Professor Elliot Engel brings Edgar Allan Poe to life in a way that will appeal to young and old alike. Using anecdote, analysis, and large doses of humor, he gives new insights in the background, life, and accomplishment of this great master of American literature. Edgar Allan Poe: A Light and Enlightening Look is the second video in the Writing Wonders Series produced by Media Consultants and featuring Professor Elliot Engel.

“[Professor Engel] uses a captivating mixture of humor, drama, and pathos to introduce us to an author most of us know only through his works, but whose life is just as morbid and fascinating as anything he wrote on paper. Poe remains one of the most important figures in English literature and his story deserves to be told with the respect and detail that Elliot Engel provides.”  Video Librarian

Running Time: 52 minutes
NTSC Color: Copyright 1997

DVD4  Edgar Allan Poe: A Light & Enlightening Look 
ISBN 978-1-890123-62-8

Mark Twain for Students!

In this program, Dr. Elliot Engel speaks to middle school students and explains why Mark Twain is the greatest writer who ever picked up a pen in the history of America. He introduces young people to this great literary figure in a new and fascinating way—quite different from the usual textbooks or biographies they are normally exposed to. According to Professor Engel, Twain was famous because of what he wrote and who he wrote it for. To understand America during this time, Dr. Engel explores what it was like to be a teenager 100 years ago, leading his audience back through time to understand the social climate and special status of women in the late 1800s. Chickens, counting to ten, and piano legs—learn how these three things shaped the “manners of the day” and caused enormous problems for boys and girls. Twain’s literary career began at the young age of twelve as the assistant editor of his hometown newspaper. Unfortunately, the job was worse than he could have imagined. Driven by ambition and a desire to find his life profession, Dr. Engel tells us that he made a decision that almost destroyed his whole life and prevented us from ever knowing about him—a story guaranteed to have every young person on the edge of their seat!

Mark Twain for Students! is highly recommended for students and adults, but especially for young people preparing to read the works of Twain for the first time.

Running Time: 50 minutes
NTSC Color: Copyright 2002

DVD15  Mark Twain for Students!
ISBN 978-1-890123-72-7