RiffTrax Shorts Season 26 Episode 5 This is Hormel
- February 28, 2014
- 30 min
This is Hormel is the fifth episode of the twenty-sixth season of RiffTrax Shorts. In this episode, the RiffTrax team takes on a corporate-sponsored film from the 1960s that promotes the virtues of Hormel, the meat-packing company known for producing Spam.
The short opens with a tour of the Hormel factory, where workers are seen slicing, dicing, and packaging various meats. The narrator sings the praises of Hormel, claiming that their products are "tested and true," and that Hormel workers "take pride in doing their work well."
As the film progresses, the RiffTrax team offers humorous commentary on everything from the outdated hairstyles and clothing of the factory workers, to the questionable hygiene standards of the processing plant. They also poke fun at the absurdity of the film's message, which seems to suggest that eating Hormel products is the key to a happy, healthy life. At one point, the narrator even claims that Hormel meats are responsible for "fuelling the success of our entire nation."
Despite the absurdity of the film's message, however, the RiffTrax team manages to find plenty of humor in the material. They take aim at the film's earnest tone, which seems to be trying a little too hard to sell viewers on the idea of Hormel as a wholesome, wholesome company. They also poke fun at the obligatory shots of happy families enjoying meals together, which seem to have been lifted straight out of a 1950s television commercial.
As the short comes to a close, the RiffTrax team offers their final thoughts on Hormel and its place in American culture. They reflect on the strange allure of products like Spam, which seem to have no logical reason for existing, yet remain popular with certain segments of the population. They also comment on the humorous way in which the film seems to take itself so seriously, despite the fact that it is essentially just a corporate advertisement.
Overall, This is Hormel is a classic example of the kind of shorts that the RiffTrax team do so well. With their sharp wit and irreverent humor, they manage to transform a dated corporate film into a hilarious and entertaining piece of pop culture. Whether you are a fan of classic advertising or just enjoy a good laugh, this is an episode that is sure to leave you entertained and amused.