This film is part of Free
Halfway to Where?
From an explosive Gene Krupa drum solo to the power of colliding atoms, this 1950 film finds expressions of change, uncertainty and tension in the worlds of art, politics & science.
Overview
Painting a picture of an insecure post-war world, dominated by the threat of nuclear destruction, this March of Time film manages to invigorate rather than depress, thanks in part to the sheer number of clips packed into its 16 minutes. From the paintings of Paul Klee and Joan Miro, to the thoughtful words of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the feeling of optimism at the new possibilities in every sphere of life tempers the sense of unease evoked by footage of guided missiles & atom bomb explosions.
One of the highlights of this issue is the footage of RCA Chairman, David Sarnoff, speaking in front of NBC TV cameras as he predicts the revolutionary effect that electronic mass media will have on everybody’s lives. Genuinely ahead of his time, and known as ‘The Father of Broadcasting’ , Sarnoff saw the true potential of both radio and television for mass communication.
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