BY-LINE NEWSREEL

Year Published: 1957

Creator: Alexander Productions; Pepsi

Description: Created by Bill Alexander of Alexander Productions for Pepsi Cola and apparently aimed at a Black / African American audience, this "By-Line Newsreel" presents feature stories from around 1957-1958 (indicated by the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel opening in 1957, and Ghana's first anniversary in 1958). It was likely shown in segregated movie theaters before the feature presentation. 0:00-0:44: The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is highlighted as the second-largest port in the nation. This major engineering project, costing $130 million, features twin tubes and runs over one mile underwater. 0:57-1:40: The Miss Empire State Beauty Contest takes place in New York. Eighty-two contestants are judged on beauty and personality by 25 judges. The winner, Miss Mary Watson, will appear at the International Film Festival in Nice, France. The annual contest is sponsored by the Grace Marco Modeling Agency and cosmetic firms. 1:45-2:01: Miss Spirit of Cotton, Elizabeth Gibson of Nashville, arrives in Washington D.C. Selected from over 50 major Negro colleges, she will model a cotton wardrobe and visit government officials. 2:08-2:57: Ghana, the world's newest nation (formerly the Gold Coast), celebrates its first anniversary. The Duchess of Kent lights the Arch of Independence. The Prime Minister, Dr. Nkrumah, and his cabinet—who were political prisoners seven years prior—wear their prison caps as a reminder of their fight for freedom. Accra is presented as a modern African city. 2:59-3:47: The film shows Ghana's modern schools and junior high boys playing soccer. Dr. Nkrumah serves his first anniversary in the official courtyard. Cabinet members, some American-educated, helped bring about independence. Modern buildings, churches, and streets are seen in Accra, and the Christianberg Castle (built by the Dutch) is now the Prime Minister's home. 3:54-4:32: A segment on modern entertaining suggests serving a buffet supper for a relaxed host and guests. It advises on serving light and appealing food, promoting Pepsi-Cola as a "light refreshment" that is "reduced in calories." 4:41-5:16: At the midwinter graduation at Morgan State College in Baltimore, honorary degrees are conferred on two outstanding American citizens: internationally famous concert singer Miss Marian Anderson and baseball star Jackie Robinson. The degrees are presented by College President Dr. Martin Jenkins. 5:21-5:50: A college football game takes place at Morgan State College Stadium, pitting the Morgan Bears against North Carolina State in the opening CIAA game. Enthusiastic rooters watch as the Bears rally to achieve a six-to-six tie. 6:01-7:10: A large crowd gathers to see a carnival and the One-Mile Relay Championship of America. The event provides "mile a minute excitement." Ron Delaney of Villanova uses his Olympian speed to put his team in the lead, ultimately winning along with Jenkins against runners-up Texas and Morgan State (second place). Producer William Alexander created documentaries, newsreels, musicals and dramas aimed at Black audiences. The By-Line newsreel series (1953-56) was produced to be shown at Black owned movie theaters. To make the films, Alexander and a small crew criss-crossed the USA. Eventually, changing financial times led Alexander to move to England, where he produced a string of documentary films for ABC about seven newly independent African nations. His last effort was producing the feature film "The Klansman", which unfortunately did not succeed at the box office.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2rwDhkyQFg

Metadata Source:YouTube