 | Part 1 - DAWN OF TOMORROW - The 1939 New York World's Fair. This new film series covers the entire "World of Tomorrow" from 1939 to 1940 in New York City during the legendary '39 NYC World's Fair! Filmed by the production team that made Westinghouse, Dawn of Tomorrow features interviews with those who experienced the Worlds Fair firsthand in Flushing Meadows NY, near Queens and on the same site as the 1964 World's Fair. It was called the World of Tomorrow and showed what the world was going to look like 20 years after 1939. The fair helped to bring the country out of the great depression, or at least to lift the spirits of those who were there. Inspired by the great fairs of the past like the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago where George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Frank Lloyd Wright, Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Ford attended, the '39 fair featured new technology like television, automated cow milking machines, giant robots like Elektro and the amazing GM Futurama. Those visiting the fair had no idea that World War 2 was about break out months after it's start, in fact WW2 would set back many of the inventions showed off in New York. Part 1 of a multi-part documentary short film series. Features rare, never before seen footage, photographs, photos and films from the fair, transferred from 16mm film. Very rare full color and black and white film reels shot by an amateur photographer at the fair during the summer. www.Inecom.com |
|  | The film shows members of "New York's Finest" parading at a crowded Union Square. There are members of the Bicycle Squad, mounted horses, and two regimental marching bands. At the time of filming, the New York City Police Department was still recovering from the corruption scandals of the early 1890's that had severely tarnished the reputation of the department. A State Senate appointed group known as the Lexow Committee investigated the department and issued a scathing report that detailed serious criminal activity within the department. In 1895, public opinion was so low that the annual parade wasn't held. That same year, Theodore Roosevelt was appointed president of the Police Board, and he is credited with initiating strict and effective reform measures that helped restore the public's confidence in the police.
From the Edison Company catalog: NEW YORK POLICE PARADE. Unbuilding [code for telegraphic orders]. An excellent view of "The Finest," on their annual parade and inspection, June 1, 1899. The head of the column is just turning into 14th Street from Broadway, the Morton House forming part of the background. Crowds line both sides of the cable car tracks, falling back as the band heading the first division swings around Dead Man's Curve and passes the camera. Chief Devery makes a fine showing, as also do his men, with their white gloves and helmets, shining buttons and spick and span appearance in general. |
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