From 1935 to 1967, The March of Time® startled journalists, filmmakers, and audiences alike with its controversial topics and unique approach to newsreels. Produced by Time, Inc® , the "issues", as the newsreels were called, were a blend of confrontational journalism and docudrama. The series began with brief segments in the 1930s and eventually grew in length and scope to television programs of in-depth coverage of a single topic. The full run of the series, digitally remastered by HBO Archives, complete with searchable transcripts, is now available exclusively from Alexander Street Press! Cross-searchable with American History in Video, and World History in Video, this collection has multidisciplinary appeal with films ranging from public health and social sciences to music and the arts.
The most unusual feature of these films was the re-creation or staging of events that had taken place, but had not been photographed by newsreel cameras. The producers argued that they had the same right to clarify news events with staged scenes as a re-write man on a newspaper had with words to make sense out of a reporter's notes. They used professional and amateur actors to impersonate famous people on the screen and then blended the staged scenes with newsreel footage.
You can trial The March of Time® by visiting the CPERS Spring Trials or by requesting a trial from Alexander Street Press.
