Who Built this Place?: The Once and Future Landmark (1972)

Duration: 0:30:01

Year Published: 1972

Sound: sound

Description: Written, produced and directed by Dallas filmmaker Samuel Hudson, this 1972 television documentary takes a look at the nature of urban landmarks. The film provides several examples, including the Boston City Hall, the San Francisco Transamerica Pyramid, the Dallas City Hall, and the Atlanta Citizens and Southern Bank. From planning to constructing, the process of creating an iconic structure is less than straightforward, and often times, architects, city officials, and concerned citizens are at odds. However, the buildings are built, and locals either love or hate them. The Once and Future Landmark is the second episode of the PBS documentary series called Who Built This Place? Award-winning composer Paul Alan Levi wrote the ragtime piano score, performed by actress and narrator, Helena Humann. Along with Humann’s commentary, the score holds the somewhat fragmented structure all together.