THOMAS EDISON
(approx 55 min)
NBC-produced documentary about the life and inventions of Thomas Alva Edison, one of the legends of modern American history.
Using silent re-enactments to depict Edison's early life, including his establishment of a newspaper aboard a passenger train while he was still a boy, Edison's early enterprising spirit is captured, along with the inquisitive nature that led him to experiment with chemistry, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and other fields of applied science--without more than a grade-school education himself--and develop literally hundreds of inventions that helped to transform the daily lives of virtually everyone on Earth.
The documentary ignores some of Edison's mistakes--such as devising his electric light system around direct current, which was ultimately supplanted by safer, more efficient alternating current.
But it also goes into his triumphs in great detail, most notably his motion picture company, which permanently altered the face of entertainment.
Edison's later life is also covered in detail, including candid footage of his occasional outings with employees and some of the other most famous men of the era.
TWISTED CROSS (1954)
(approx 60 min)
NBC-produced documentary, originally telecast in the mid-1950's, recounting the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and its consequences for the world.
From the aftermath of World War I to the German economic collapse of the early 1930's, the hour-long film covers the rising influence of the Nazis in German politics and society, from the early rallies to their seizure of power in 1933, following the burning of the Reichtag in Berlin.
The Nazis' brutality is documented, along with their accompanying racial policies and savage military conquests, from the 1938 annexation of the Czech Sudetenland to the Allied victory in Berlin during the spring of 1945. Alexander Scourby narrates.
BACK IN THE 30's (1954)
(approx 60 min)
Fred Allen narrated this fast-paced, entertaining remembrance of life and history during the 1930's, including the Great Depression.
What makes this documentary even more effective than most is that it opens up focusing on the actions behind the events usually associated with the 1930's.
We get a good glimpse of the Jazz Age of the 1920's and its loose, freewheeling morality and money-management, and the depiction of the gradual deterioration of life, business and jobs as the effect of the October 1929 Stock Market Crash ripple outward to drive thousands of businesses into bankruptcy.
The human side of the Depression is also seen, in the stark image of haggard men and hungry children. On the lighter side, we get a glimpse at the popular culture of the era, including such radio stars as Jack Benny and his arch-nemesis...Fred Allen.
For his part, Allen narrates with great warmth and involvement with the material (this was, after all, the decade of his own heyday on radio).
THE GREAT WAR
#522
(approx 60 min)
A 1956 NBC documentary about World War I, narrated by Alexander Scourby.
This is one of the best in a superb series of mid-1950s documentaries about American history. Beginning with a very clear, informative, and entertaining account of Europe in the beginning of the twentieth century--there hadn't been a war in Europe for 50 years--it explains the inter-relationships between the royal families and the interlocking treaties between the countries.
Winston Churchill, remarked that "civilization has climbed above war," but adds, "it would be a pity to be wrong." The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist leads that empire to threaten Serbia, which is allied with Russia--Russia vows to protect Serbia, while Germany pledges to support Austria-Hungary; France supports Russia, to which it is allied, and the war has begun--Germany invades Belgium to reach France, which brings England in.
The account of the American political scene mixes well with the progress of the war, as the politics of the country evolve from complete isolationism to a pro-war stance over a three year period--a vivid account of the sinking of the Lusitania is provided, along with extensive footage of peace rallies and "Wake Up America" marches, and President Wilson's request for a declaration of war against Germany.
Troop recruitment, training, and embarkation are shown, along with arrivals in France, and the carnage that has gone on over the previous three years--all of this is set to a stirring series of arrangments of patriotic and popular songs of the era (including "Inky Dinky Parlez-vous").
The final German assault and the intervention of the Americans is depicted in savage detail, along with its aftermath, leading up to the Armistice and the return home of the Americans, to a country that was suddenly the most powerful on Earth.
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(approx 55 min)
NBC-produced documentary about the life and inventions of Thomas Alva Edison, one of the legends of modern American history.
(approx 60 min)
NBC-produced documentary, originally telecast in the mid-1950's, recounting the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and its consequences for the world.
(approx 60 min)
Fred Allen narrated this fast-paced, entertaining remembrance of life and history during the 1930's, including the Great Depression.
#522
(approx 60 min)
A 1956 NBC documentary about World War I, narrated by Alexander Scourby.