(works on malfunctioning Time Machine for 11 days)
(finds hairline fracture in Temporal Oscillation Inhibitor)
RIGHT. One more time, World's Fair 1939 or bust....YES! Finally! First stop-Norman Bel Geddes' Futurama Exhibit so that I may…
(works on malfunctioning Time Machine for 11 days)
(finds hairline fracture in Temporal Oscillation Inhibitor)
RIGHT. One more time, World's Fair 1939 or bust....YES! Finally! First stop-Norman Bel Geddes' Futurama Exhibit so that I may see what 1960 holds...I know, I have a Time Machine, but this is the fun way...
It would seem that sponsor General Motors was so pleased with Geddes vision of innovation that they decided to create a preview/promotional film on the subject-and the uncredited Director decided to toss in a History lesson to boot! Starting with a quick summary of 'Man's constant technological promise', we start with a bit of picturesque stock footage, eventually segueing to a typical rural area full of such modern 1939 conveniences as kerosene lanterns and wood stoves, eventually moving into automobiles, paved roads and refrigerators. By the time we get to the Futurama exhibit itself, we are 8 minutes into this 23 minute feature-it does give us a nice overview though, and a lovely shift from black-and-white footage and into early Technicolor...
Once we get to see this massive, mobile exhibit though, it does not disappoint. We see modern, automated farms with modern conveniences and power-though the Narrator assumed most of these would still be privately owned (sob!). The roads of the future are full of off-ramps and multiple lanes (yep!) full of aerodynamic bubble cars with autopilots and safer than ever before! (er.....). Planned communities abound, mixing rural and urban environments, parks on skyscraper roofs,a nearby circular airport with Dirigible hangers (ummm....) elevated sidewalks (alas!) and an end to Ghettos and Poverty Forever! Jobs for all! (AAAAARGHHH!!!!!)
Er, sorry....the exhibit itself is glorious, and I only wish that Norman Bel Geddes' optimistic vision of 1960 had come completely true-but at least King Rose Archives kept this lovely short feature in near-perfect condition for our viewing pleasure, and to remind us that it's still okay to dream...Sound, Color.
