[1934 CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR in TECHNICOLOR]

Year Published: 1933

Creator: Wilding Picture Productions In

Description:

This 1933 Technicolor film from Wilding Picture Productions, Inc. gives viewers a look at the 1933-1934 World’s Fair in Chicago, IL and doubles as an advertising piece for the Chrysler Corporation. The film opens with a shot of the fairgrounds. People walk through the park. Viewers see the Avenue of Flags (01:04), the Hall of Science across the lagoon, the Chrysler Motors Building (01:46; 05:57), and several of the international architecture buildings (Italy, China). A tower of the Sky Ride looms above the grounds (02:50); the transporter bridge moves the “rocket cars,” cable-car gondolas, across the lagoon. Men (possibly mounted Chicago policemen) ride horses down one of the main avenues of the fair (03:25). People walk through the European bazaars. Visitors ride a rollercoaster. Viewers see Admiral Richard Byrd’s flagship City of New York on display (04:52). There is a good panoramic shot of the fairgrounds. The film shows several buildings, including the Travel and Transport Building (05:35). Next to it is Chrysler’s Test Track (06:14). Cars are run through the proving ground track as viewers watch. Racecar driver and daredevil Harry Hart climbs into a Plymouth and races around the proving track. He stops the car and waves to the crowd. Two men climb into two cars (which also appear to be Plymouths), and they race across the dirt off-road section of the course (08:30). One of the cars flips over and it appears that water or gasoline leaks out. Men help tip the car upright and the driver starts racing the car again. The film concludes with the cars racing on the track.

A Century of Progress International Exposition was a World's Fair registered under the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which was held in Chicago, as The Chicago World's Fair, from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation. The fair's motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Adapts", giving out a message that science and American life were wedded. Its architectural symbol was the Sky Ride, a transporter bridge perpendicular to the shore on which one could ride from one side of the fair to the other. One description of the fair noted that the world, "then still mired in the malaise of the Great Depression, could glimpse a happier not-too-distant future, all driven by innovation in science and technology." Fair visitors saw the latest wonders in rail travel, automobiles, architecture and cigarette-smoking robots. The exhibition "emphasized technology and progress, a utopia, or perfect world, founded on democracy and manufacturing."

Complete Record: This 1933 Technicolor film from Wilding Picture Productions, Inc. gives viewers a look at the 1933-1934 World’s Fair in Chicago, IL and doubles as an advertising piece for the Chrysler Corporation. The film opens with a shot of the fairgrounds. People walk through the park. Viewers see the Avenue of Flags (01:04), the Hall of Science across the lagoon, the Chrysler Motors Building (01:46; 05:57), and several of the international architecture buildings (Italy, China). A tower of the Sky Ride looms above the grounds (02:50); the transporter bridge moves the “rocket cars,” cable-car gondolas, across the lagoon. Men (possibly mounted Chicago policemen) ride horses down one of the main avenues of the fair (03:25). People walk through the European bazaars. Visitors ride a rollercoaster. Viewers see Admiral Richard Byrd’s flagship City of New York on display (04:52). There is a good panoramic shot of the fairgrounds. The film shows several buildings, including the Travel and Transport Building (05:35). Next to it is Chrysler’s Test Track (06:14). Cars are run through the proving ground track as viewers watch. Racecar driver and daredevil Harry Hart climbs into a Plymouth and races around the proving track. He stops the car and waves to the crowd. Two men climb into two cars (which also appear to be Plymouths), and they race across the dirt off-road section of the course (08:30). One of the cars flips over and it appears that water or gasoline leaks out. Men help tip the car upright and the driver starts racing the car again. The film concludes with the cars racing on the track.

Transcription

[Music] [Applause] e here we are Folks at Chicago's World Fame Century of progress the spectacular fair that was started by a beam of light from the Star Arc tourist people from every corner of the world came to see its magic and its Marvels no less than 22 millions of them came swarming into this colossal show to witness the brilliant handiwork of its modern unparalleled Ingenuity here is the famous Avenue of flags a beautiful flag bedek Boulevard every foot of its magnificent Concourse filled with an endless stream of pleasure seekers in gay attire full of the holiday mood keying their spirits to the glitter and Sparkle of their surroundings eager participants in the sweep and Glory of a show unmatched in the annals of fair making like a sentinel commanding the sun stands the Hall of Science saluting the Waters of the shimmering Lagoon it is a typical example of the Regal architecture that is to be found everywhere on the grounds creating together with its companions a Skyline of glowing monuments to Beauty look at this dazzling performance of architectural effort a symphony in steel and stone and glass a tribute to structural Perfection with its graceful lines and commanding pylons it offers a vivid modern contrast to an age-old Maya temple nearby these Majestic records of artistic achievement are to be seen everywhere Visitors flocked by the millions to drink in their glories following one upon the other they create a picture that enthralls the eye with their sweep and Majesty a gorgeous climax to this Vista of blue green Lagoon seen from the deck of a launch or across the Rippling Waters this group makes an unforgettable impression visual music with chords of rainbow Hues the dream of the artist come true the hope of design made real mingling with the brisk tone of modern America we find too the spice and flavor of the foreign from Europe and the Orient come resplendent roofs of gold exotic reminders of different times and civilizations adding their individual touches to the cellent pageant that has made the World's Fair such a unique Adventure once it was Ferris wheel but today it's the Towering Skyride that offers the major Thrill of the fair these towers rise into the sky to the Dizzy altitude of 628 ft and what a view visitors got from the window window of these rocket Riders traveling across the lagoon one saw far below the fair grounds in a molten glow of Brilliance blues and reds and greens and yellows all fused into a blazing Kaleidoscope of color truly a fairyland of light and now back to Earth Here We once more are on one of the main Avenues of the fair amid that never-ending tide of humanity pounding along in search of excitement 44 million feet dog tired and aching but who cares about weary feet with all that whirl and glitter beckoning us on and on to pause before this map covered Dome the back view of the exhibit a million years ago let's go round front and take a look here's King Kong himself and two of his gentle Playmates entertaining the Midway crowd but this is only one of the countless bizarre and fascinating displays that made the Midway a Perpetual Migra of frolic the Midway Chief artery of Thrills city of million lights and spectacles a blaze of flaming color of sights and sounds and hurly Burly teaming with magicians sword swallowers Dragon rides alligator Fighters Egyptian huta girls Sideshow wonders a Village and what else do you like and rivaling this conglomeration of freaks and fakers are the bizaar from Belgium Germany France Holland and other countries enticing with great bustle and baly who the Curious visitor with their strange and tempting Wares and of course no Midway is complete without a few spine curlers and here's our old friend and thrill maker the roller coaster providing heart throbs and spine chills of Plenty all kinds of visitors came to the fair here is Admiral Bird's Flagship back from its adventures in the lands of snow and ice to take a dominant position in the aggregation of queer craft and roaring plains that came to roost on the Waters of the fair in Panorama the North End of the fair presents a Vista of sheer Beauty a glamorous setting for that Galaxy of architectural gems seen from above their commanding Grace is clearer than ever casting over the scene a compelling note of progress breathing forth the true meaning and spirit of this World's Fair colors tones shapes all sharply etched in brilliant design a Harmony of effects that Captivate the mind and now we come upon a most unique structure the Travel and Transport building presenting a dominant phase of industry in its most commanding aspects a Triumph of architectural design and balance bold and auster in line it serves as a symbolic landmark of that section of the fair dedicated to travel and here is transportation in its most modern thrilling expression the Temple of Champions with its clean grean cut lines and splashing fountains mingling Beauty with utility a proud symbol of the world's Century of progress stressing in particular the most universal mode of individual transportation in the shadow of this modern architecture crowds come daily to see how cars are subjected to acid tests of endurance this miniature track with its 45° side Banks and its saucer turns is The Proving Ground of car performance the pit in the center affectionately called Death Valley and Punishment pit subjects a car to a gruelling examination of Fitness it looks as though something is happening let's go down and see here is a real surprise Harry Harts National racing champion and Daredevil of the racetrack no fashion shows for Harry he's going to show us the real points of this thorough bread all right Harry let's go he's off in a smooth getaway and now watch him go 35 40 45 50 50 m an hour zooming madly around the track having the time of his life and these mobs watching him are getting one grand thrill listen to those tires Screech and scream as he takes the curves look at that car hug the road like a beetle could a racing model do better here he comes again on the far side watch out that was Harry up to his old tricks again beautiful balance to that car did you see him take that 45° incline just a little of the old racetrack fever here he comes again and again he takes that thrilling tilt I'll say that car has balance I can see now why she was chosen the winner and now watch Harry come down the ramp at full speed here he comes s what performance he must be awfully confident of that car he's driving and now he's away again burning up the track with smooth unadulterated power here he comes down the ramp what's up Harry oh a trick stopping in the middle of a hill he must have perfect breaks to get get away with that now do it at full speed Harry and very he tears hell bent for horse play up down stop nice work Harry no swerve pitch or break throw those braks must be good and now he's speeding into the home stretch and pulls up on a dime hands off the wheel a beautiful ending to a grand performance and one sweet car too nice driving Harry what now two more speed boys looks as though this is going to be a contest all right boys let's see your stuff look at those Terrors plow through the sand see them go down into those shell holes and climb right out without a pause without a halt they take these nerve shattering bumps in full stri at top speed without batting an eyelash ride them Cowboy they buck and jump and keep right on oh I've seen tough babies before but never anything like this what a brutal test for those cars Motors gears and body every part of them certainly come in for a cruel and terrific hammering boy look at those slithering turns those slow jarring leaps no one watching these demons on Wheels can count their strength and sturdiness and can they take it what's more these cars absorb this fearful punishment not once but six times a day and judging from the crowd this show is a great hit with the world's air visit bang flash look at this one ter along out oh he's over hope nothing's happened no here's the driver safe and sound not only safe but enjoying himself looks as though he did it on purpose I'll bet he just did it just to prove the safety of those All Steel bodies let's see the damage put her up on her wheel boy was I fool that car is as good as new just a little shakeup but what's that to these all steel body punishment fiends can you beat that off on its own power again I bet all you folks are wondering what kind of a car that is why it's a Plymouth my hats off to that bus those High geared performers never falter they are the actors in a show that must go on which does go on not once or twice but six full times a day every single day we after week month after month and with a tenacity of real champions they keep right on unmindful of the exhausting effects of the most thorough tests ever devised thus exemplifying real achievement real progress in Motorcar safety and construction let's give those drivers and those sturdy cars a great big hand oh


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