Building A New Life in American Suburbia
America considerable progress in the early years of the 20th
century is chronicled in the 1937 film America Marching On. The
account of a miller's insight, planning and the resultant
prosperity is told in a captivating manner. The story of how
cities grew through industrialization, progressed and then fell
prey to uncontrolled growth is beautifully recounted in A Place
To Live. The depictions of the miserable living conditions in
the slums of Philadelphia are both matter-of-fact and
emotionally moving. The clips on Asbestos in the 1952 film
According To Plan are actually quite informative. The film
offers some practical suggestions to people wishing to build or
renovate their homes. The repetitive discourse on the virtues of
asbestos can be forgiven, since the sponsor was a well-meaning
manufacturer. The animated film A Man Of Action provides some
interesting footage after the discourse on building material.
This film points to the devastating effects of negligence on a
community. It is interesting to note how the township of
Levittown sprung up almost overnight in the film The Quiet
Revolution - thanks to Ford tractors and machinery. This is an
intelligently rendered and captivating look at a very critical
period in America's history of urbanization.