Author Archive: Retro

This short Depression-era documentary describes the importance of the Mississippi River to the United States. It laments the environmental destruction committed in the name of progress, particularly farming and timber practices which cause massive erosion and result in vast amounts of top soil being washed down the river into the Gulf of Mexico. The film focuses especially on the impact this has had on impoverished farmers. It ends on a very upbeat note, however, with a celebration of the TVA, “modern” farming technology, and the use of dams to control the river and prevent flooding.

We Work Again is a 1937 ephemeral film produced by the Work Projects Administration to promote its employment and training efforts for African-Americans during the Great Depression. Various jobs are shown, including public construction projects, domestic service and health care training, adult education programs and performing arts. It is particularly noted for containing the only existing footage of the 1936 Federal Theatre Project production of Macbeth, directed by Orson Welles and featuring an all-black cast.

One of the 20 or so men birthing the communal farm says ‘lets establish an immortal democracy’ with super political bombast. They all say ‘no that got us into this mess.’ The next says ‘lets be socialist. the government should control everything’. Many say no to that. Then the humble Swedish guy says “Well i don’t know the meaning of any of these words you all just said but i know this, we need a big man for a big job and John is the biggest man here.’ Everyone cheers and shouts hip hip hooray for John. Well there you go. The rest of the film has as much depth as this scene. The level of detail and care put into realism is also comparable.

Auditions and screen tests for Gone With The Wind

Impressionistic depiction of Berlin from morning to night.

What starts off as a conventional travelogue turns into a satirical portrait of the town of Nice on the French Cote d’Azur, especially its wealthy inhabitants.

Deep-sea fishing adventure.

Deep-sea fishing adventure.

An explanation for American audiences of what rationing means to ordinary British families.