New Schools for old-U.S.A.

A new take on the education system, while Britain's waiters and Alaska's fishermen air some grievances.

This is March of Time at its most varied and engaging. Beginning with a thumbs-up for modern education methods in American schools, it gives a flavour of its occasional progressivist outlook, before moving on to a human interest story concerning aggrieved restaurant staff. There's a sombre final thought on the struggles faced by the fishermen of Alaska, who want to protect their livelihood.

While the discussion on schooling and the feature about a discontented waiter pique the interest, the best is saved for last here. The report from Alaska is visually stunning – with use of library pictures kept to a relative minimum – and carries emotional clout. Choppy editing matches the choppy waters facing the fishermen, who seem to find themselves swimming upstream by trying to safeguard their trade.