American Suburbia
Overview
Witness a fascinating account of a nation's efforts to become progressive and prosperous.
Seasons
Season 1 (2005)
Our Communities. The 1940s and '50s were an age of transition for American suburbs. This series encapsulates the essence of this period. It begins with a tour of New York's streets as they were in 1941, peeps at the activities that go on round the clock in the city. A wonderful viewing experience for all those who wish to see the American suburbs as they were in '40s and '50s.
4 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Arteries of New York
2005-06-01Shows transportation corridors leading into and out of New York City, and efforts at transportation and infrastructure planning.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 2: Our Community
2005-06-01Illustrates the interdependence of people in a community by showing shared community functions and services. Depicts police and fire protection, health safeguards, and park and recreational facilities. Points out how members of the community are interdependent.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 3: The Best Made Plans
2005-06-01Loving tribute to Saran plastic wrap as an indispensable household accessory. Uses the setting of a young child's birthday party to show how Saran Wrap can be used both for food preservation in the refrigerator and freezer and as an element in creative home and party decorations.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 4: In The Suburbs
2005-06-01Thoughtfully made advertising sales promo film extolling 1950s suburbanites as citizens and consumers. Shows typical facets of the family life of young couples living in the suburbs. Points out how Redbook Magazine, aimed exclusively at young adults, is of value to them. This is the movie about suburbia as it is widely imagined in pop culture.
Runtime: 404 min
Season 2 (2005)
Building A New Life. Restless, introspective, ambitious, resilient and at times confused' is how one visualizes American life in the '40s and '50s. The great depression had impacted people's lives greatly. The economic revival and the consequent prosperity propelled the rebuilding of the nation. This series has five short films which promote concepts such as modernization and lifestyle changes.
5 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: America Marching On
2005-06-01This film advocates a better standard of living at affordable prices for all Americans regardless of their status. It maps the country's march towards a more affluent lifestyle and illustrates how this was made possible. the story of a miller and his assistant and their journey to the higher echelons of society by way of shrewd planning and investment.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 2: A Place To Live
2005-06-01An engrossing account of the pathetic living conditions that existed in the cities in the '40s, with Philadelphia the erstwhile state and national capital, as an example. It is a wonderful account of how the once beautiful city was transformed by the growth of industry. Slums sprung up binging with them dirt and misery.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 3: According to Plan: The Story of Modern Sidewalls for the Homes of America
2005-06-01This movie was made at a time when the building boom was at its peak, and is an opportunistic attempt at selling asbestos -the new rage in building materials. Though a little lengthy, the film is an exhaustive attempt at extolling the outstanding qualities of asbestos (fireproof, waterproof, weatherproof, enduring, resilient and so on). Sponsor: Asbestos Cement Products Association.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 4: Man of Action
2005-06-01The use of animation makes this film very creative and refreshingly original despite being based on the same old themes - "we need to keep our neighborhoods neat and clean" and "there's nothing you cannot do if you come together".
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 5: The Quiet Revolution
2005-06-01This is an interesting movie about how Levittown was built and the emphasis builders placed on quantity and speed rather than style, grace and originality of design.
Runtime: 404 min
Season 3 (2005)
This series gives an account of the efforts made by American cities to promote real estate. Get an insight into the efforts made by cities- Doylestown, Levittown and Detroit at inviting people to come and live there. You will see the Mayor of Detroit himself extolling the virtues of his city. Showcases the city of Rochester and its penchant for cleanliness and spaciousness.
8 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: America Marching On
2005-06-01This short illustrates the enterprising nature of the American business and its expansion through time. Hosted by Lowell Thomas.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 2: A Place To Live
2005-06-01A film about slum clearance and new housing projects in Philadelphia. Producer: Documentary Film Productions, Inc.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 3: According to Plan: The Story of Modern Sidewalls for the Homes of America
2005-06-01he beauty and functionality of asbestos sidewalls. With a visit to Levittown, N.Y. and an interview with Norman Denny, vice president of materials for Levitt & Sons, builders. An excellent film on Fifties standardized building processes. Year: 1952. Length: 00:17:57. Audio: Mono. Color.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 4: Man Of Action
2005-06-01Animated plea for urban renewal connected with 1950s efforts to "redevelop" American city centers. Producer: Transfilm Productions. Year: 1955. Length: 00:13:28. Audio: Mono. Color.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 5: The Quiet Revolution
2005-06-01Shows how Ford earthmoving equipment helps the builders of Levittown, Pennsylvania achieve great economies of scale. With excellent images of home and infrastructure building. Producer: Ford Motor Company, Tractor and Implement Division. Year: 1956. Length: 00:09:08. Audio: Mono. Color.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 6: Rochester: A City Of Quality
2005-06-01Tour of the area, concentrating on redevelopment and economic activity. Presents a survey of the city of Rochester, N Y, its history, culture and economic advantages. Explains the role of good planning in the city's development. Sponsor: Rochester Gas & Electric. Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 7: Redwood Estates Promotional Films
2005-06-01Redwood Estates near Santa Cruz, California: Real estate promotional film showing scenes of downtown Los Gatos, California, car arriving at the "estates" and shots of recreational activities available, homes under construction, long shots of the estates and homes, roads, automobiles and large sign for the "Redwood Estates"
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 8: No Time For Ugliness
2005-06-01Shows that cities' approaches are marred by billboards and neon signs. Intimates that a demanding citizenry can have these unsightly signs removed. Producer: Peter Yung & Lawrence Ravitz. Year: 1965. Length: 00:23:30. Audio: Mono. Color: COLOR.
Runtime: 404 min
Season 4 (2005)
Changes are essential to progress even if there is a price to be paid. Learn the consequences of living in modern housing schemes-isolation and frustration. We also focus on the benefits of housing schemes, the need to replace slums with modern homes and the hope that proper planning would prevent problems in the future. See the long-term benefits of industries and consequences of modernization.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: The City
2005-06-01A pioneering short documentary film from 1939 that contrasts the problems of the contemporary urban environment with the superior social and physical conditions that can be provided in a planned community.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 2: For The Living
2005-06-01Improvement of living conditions in 1940s New York City through the construction of public housing. Though ultimately a plug for the New York City Housing Authority, this film begins as a "story about a city -- this city."
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 3: Cities How They Grow
2005-06-01A study of our increasing urban population. Departing from the usual statistics and the sociological problems which are a result of the cities' growth, we learn that by observing what the workers of the city do, we can find out why the city grew. Producer: Encyclopaedia Britannica Films. Length: 00:09:08. Audio: Mono. Color: BLACK & WHITE.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 4: New Neighbor
2005-06-01Building a steel mill from scratch and a city for its workers (Levittown, Pa.). Producer: Jam Handy Organization. Sponsor: U.S. Steel Co. Year: 1953. Length: 00:24:51. Audio: Mono. Color: BLACK & WHITE.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 5: The Dynamic American City
2005-06-01Advocates urban redevelopment and renewal, 1950s-style. Supports many planning strategies which are criticized today: the destruction of "blighted" neighborhoods in the name of progress, autocentric planning and construction, and suburban sprawl. Producer: Baskaw (Frederick J). Sponsor: Chamber of Commerce of the United States.
Runtime: 404 minEpisode 6: Community Growth: Crisis & Challenge
2005-06-01Home builders decry unplanned suburban sprawl, 1950s-style. Sponsor: Urban Land Institute, National Association of Home Builders. Year: 1959. Length: 00:16:01. Audio: Mono. Color.
Runtime: 404 min
