The film juxtaposes recreated scenes of boys and their toy boats with an extensive compilation of archival film and vintage photographs of famous ocean liners, naval vessels and great maritime battles. This creative combination gives the viewer the sense of genuine sea adventure on board the ships as well as the child-like excitement elicited by the fantasy of toy boats.
A charming chronological account of the rapid development of maritime technology from the 1890's to the 1930's make Titanic in a Tub a fascinating history lesson. The technological advances which caused ocean liners to double in size and speed during this period sparked and "arms race" of the sea. National pride demanded that a nation's naval fleet possess the fastest and most luxurious ships afloat. The advent of submarines and evolution of battleships into giant dreadnought ships furthered this potentialy explosive competition for global preeminence. Public fascination with ocean travel and naval warfare encouraged toy makers in Europe and America to build toy boats of every size and description. Thousands of children played with thousands of different kinds of toy boats. Unfortunately, as with the vessels they emulated, there are few toy boats from that era left today.

Titanic in a Tub is narrated with great affection by Academy Award winning actor Rex Harrison. The film captures the romanticism of a world intrigued by the oceans while also providing an historically accurate account of the development of maritime technology in the early 1900s. It is a delightful film for all ages from intermediate through adult and is particularly useful in History Science, Social Studies, Geography and Crafts classes as well as for general interest audiences.

Running time: 28 min, Year released: 2007
Close captioned?: N, Color?: Y
Avail. formats: dvd
ISBN: 1-55974-717-X
Language: English, Subtitled?: N
For classroom?: Y, Study Guide?: N
Grade level: 7th and up

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