World's Fair Report with Lowell Thomas (1961)

[Music] hello everybody although my pose May in some small way resemble that wonder of the ancient world the Colossus of roads actually I'm L Thomas standing in front of what will soon be one of the wonders of the modern world over the years it has been my good fortune and pleasure to report to you from the seven continents and the Seven Seas South America Africa spectacular Alaska exotic Tibet and now if I can be heard over the Roar of all this Machinery of preparation I'd like to give you a preview of a wonder of the modern world here on this very site is to be erected they're doing it at the moment the symbol of the theme of the New York World Fair the unisphere being built by United States steel Robert Moses president of the fair has guided its Destiny from the beginning how will this Fair differ from other world's fairs well it's bigger there's more to see more ground to cover uh better exhibits more of them it's on a a huge scale in uh measured by acreage uh numbers of exhibits any other by any other Norm or or measure it's on a much bigger scale 650 acres and over 200 exhibitors here is being built the biggest most fascinating show ever created by man already there is being built a fantasy of color and shapes that promise one of the most exciting events of our time [Music] under construction is the port of New York New Jersey exhibit building when completed there'll be a Hort on the roof the air gateway to the fair beneath a restaurant and thrilling movies in the round the General Motors futur Amo building with a dramatic ride of the future that will accommodate 70,000 visitors daily Ford will feature a unique automobile trip through Fantasy Land especially created by Walt Disney a permanent Hall of Science to be built by the city of New York Life siiz prehistoric animals are under construction for Sinclair's Dino Land to dramatize the wonderful story of petroleum Greyhound a post housee restaurant of the [Music] future the mobile Pavilion test your driving skill in a simulated mobile economy run and in the transportation and travel Pavilion you'll take a simulated Moon trip transportation EX iits at the New York World's [Music] Fair I'm sitting here in the World's Fair Amphitheater where you'll enjoy a spectacular stage and water show conceived by the producer of stage shows at the Radio City Music Hall Leon Leonid doph in association with Meer Davis famous orchestra leader this is the Lake Amusement area where showman from all over the world will present the finest in entertainment a wax museum famous paintings and historical events brought to life in wax the AMF monor rail an automatic air conditioned ride around the Lake Amusement area the dancing waters beautiful music set to a changing pattern of multicolored fountains you'll see the Santa Maria anchored in Meadow Lake an exact replica of Columbus Flagship taste delicious Chinese Specialties in the Chun King Rick Shaw Inn John Ringling North's Continental style Circus the Music Hall presenting A Century of American musical comedy nearby the Jones Beach Marine theater will offer guy Lombardo's exciting musical Around the World in 80 Days and when night falls a lovely fountain show with music fireworks and a vivid Kaleidoscope of color [Applause] the crack of a baseball bat the cry Homer from 55,000 voices here in the William a shay Stadium next to the world spare this will be the home of the New York Mets beginning 1964 here too will be played the allstar basball game with stars like Willie Mays and Mickey m [Music] [Applause] [Music] New York City and the fair will also be host to the 1964 Olympic trials at the fairs Arena seen here or in the Pavilion you will see fencing Judo gymnastics and wrestling and the Danish gym team to be seen at the fair sports program the girls are a study in lovely precision [Music] at the time of the 1939 Worlds Fair I reported from this exact spot in fact did my broadcast here in the days when nylon Plastics and television were the sensation but today the industrial Giants of the world are preparing a miky news spectacle here here where steel is taking on the shape of things to come IBM's people wall will transport you upward to a theater and film spectacular designed by Charles E General Electric's progress land includes Walt Disney's amazing animated figures and an actual demonstration of atomic Fusion the Kodak Pavilion will present photography as a truly universal [Music] language in the Bell System exhibit you'll ride through a series of theaters dramatizing the past and future of communications Traveler's Insurance umbrella of protection and man's triumph over the hazards of Life electric power and lights power of light the brightest beam ever created Uncle Ben will star in the brightest Show on Earth at RCA you'll appearer behind the scenes of an Ultra Modern full color television broadcast the gas industry's Festival of gas will feature the latest in gas appliances and a unique Gourmet restaurant Coca-Cola's world of refreshment will house a melodious electronic carolon Johnson's wax a jewel of a building with a suspended theater within its circular colonade at Scott paper you'll relax in a beautifully landscaped Park An Elegant interior rest area for Micah's Hilltop house showcasing the newest products of the American sanimed corporation the F&M schaer Brewing Company of buffet and the largest beard bar in the world National Cash Register company will demonstrate Tomorrow's World of automation 7 Up presents authentic International sandwiches and entertainment you'll relive the turn of the century at Rin Gold's gay little old New York Dupont will have two theaters and an exhibit area where fairgoers will see better things for Better Living Through Chemistry westing house will bury a new Time Capsule documenting man's exciting progress over the last 25 [Music] years the pilion of American Interiors the newest and best in Furnishings for your home to the Boy Scout exhibit will come 40,000 Scouts during National jambur week alone pepsicola presents Walt Disney's its a small world a tribute to UNICEF the attractive exhibit building of the Simmons Beauty Rest Center the House of Good Taste exhibit a threeome showcase designed by the country's leading architect The Better Living Pavilion will cover major areas in everyday life the exciting New World of Industry at the New York World's [Music] [Applause] Fair as some of you know I have spent much of my life roaming this planet in search of the unusual the interesting the Exotic but you right here in the international area can visit more than 45 countries and see much of their best in peaceful competition shop in Hong Kong for handmade rugs Jade and carved Ivory step into Switzerland's restaurant and then treat the family to the Swiss Skyride see Balan dancers in Indonesia in the three-story Mexican Pavilion native art and handicrafts Pakistan will emphasize her historical past present and future the Austrian Pavilion will be made of gleaming wood in an ashape symbolizing Austria's glorious mountains and forests Sweden will emphasize her creativity in arts and products the Republic of China special exhibits in a traditional Motif the exhibit building of Sierra Leon will symbolize its famous mountains India's theme progress in democracy will be dramatized by relics of the past and aspirations to the Future the Hall of free enterprise presenting a total concept of economic life in a free community F's participation is extensive one exhibit by its government another by industry Ireland's exhibit will unfold that country's Rich literary Heritage the Caribbean Pavilion limbo dancers and The rhythms of calypso singers and a steel band and at the International Plaza many other nations and foreign organizations will be represented nations from around the globe pledge to a theme of common understanding at the New York World's Fair the central theme of the fair peace through understanding will gain in depth and perspective through impressive religious and cultural exhibits and events for the first time in the history of world's Affairs there will be exhibits presented by many major faiths at the Protestant Center all Protestant groups will exhibit together towering over the Mormon Pavilion will be a replica of the towers of the Salt Lake City Temple within the Christian Science Pavilion will be exhibits from 40 or more countries the Billy Graham Pavilion will house a 600 seat theater with film shown every half hour [Music] the death of popee John the 23d shocked and saddened the world in the words of Robert Moses I believe John the 23rd will cast a shadow like that of Peter The Rock on which this church is founded and in civil Affairs of Abraham Lincoln who also had the common touch and spoke for all of mankind [Music] the decision of the Vatican to take part in the World's Fair set a new precedent Pope John the 23rd approved Al loone for the duration of the fair of Michelangelo's Masterpiece the P to his Fame sculpture of Mary holding the crucified [Music] Christ in Rome Pope John activated a radio signal transmitted overseas to the fairgrounds that started a pile driver breaking ground for the Vatican Pavilion not only with P but other rare art masterpieces from the Vatican will be on view along with sacred objects and documents telling the story of the Christian faith three former presidents are proud to serve serve as chairman for the fair Herbert Hoover Dwight D eisenhauer Harry EST Truman and here on this 4 and 1/2 acre site is rising the Magnificent Federal Building its theme challenge to Greatness here will be exhibit Halls of theater and tributes to our American Heritage at the groundbreaking ceremony our late President John F Kennedy met Robert Moses president of the fair we have roamed these United States and literally calm the globe for Pavilions and Exhibits which will reflect the achievements of all men in Industry culture the Arts and harmless entertainment we confidently expect more than 70 million visitors to an unforgettable pageant then the president I want the people of the world to visit this fair and all the various uh exhibits of our American industrial companies and the foreign companies who are most welcome and to come to the American exhibit the exhibit of the United States and see what we've accomplished through a system of freedom and many of our states will exhibit New York state will feature the tent of tomorrow and a circular theater with panoramic Motion Pictures in the New York City building there will be several exhibits here's a part of a giant model now under construction of the entire New York metropolitan area 840,000 buildings in astonishing detail here's New York's lovely Summer Festival Queen getting a close-up view big button ice travaganza with Olympic skating Champions will also be in the city building on the shore of Meadow Lake Hawaii will feature Food Specialties at the five volcano restaurant Florida will have the first live porpus show at any fair and 100t high Citrus Tower Missouri's Lindberg was the first in air for Allen Shephard first in space New Jersey will celebrate its 300th anniversary the New England states a Village Green and Country Store West Virginia proudly exhibits as the land of relaxation and Maryland will dramatize the Battle of Fort McKenry and the writing of the star spangle Banner our own United States of America at the New York World's Fair [Music] aair is news often big news this is our press building from where we tell the world about new exhibits visiting celebrities ticket sales the building dedication was attended by hundreds of newsmen radio and television reporters publicists then a ribbon cutting a typewriter ribbon [Music] news was made at the fair when General Douglas MacArthur paid a visit in the model room the general saw the exhibit in miniature the fair will Revive Our lagging patriotic Spirit the general said it was the most pleasant visit from a grand old Soldier Mr Moses there are a number of questions that I presume all prospective visitors would want to ask the first one would be well how do you get here well you get here by every form of locomotion known to man by ship international arrivals from countries all over the world the excitement of a visit not only to the fair but to the city all people seem to want to see by plane 2 the arrival of V ERS on any of 39 airlines that serve New York from abroad this is Idle Wild airport the international door to the fair and only 6 mes away LaGuardia Airport is our domestic gateway to New York you'll arrive at a new Passenger Terminal six times as big as the old one and part of an overall $115 million modernization program of course millions and millions of us will come by automobile the arterial approaches here at the fair will be virtually brand new and will become a permanent part of New York's Great Highway System biggest in an imposing array of facilities is the mighty verito narrow bridge being constructed by trior bridge and tunnel Authority as chairman of the authority Robert Moses talks to Raymond Corbett president of New York State AFL C and otmar Aman designer of the new bridge The Narrows Bridge will be finished in the second year of the fair you may drive over it on your way into New York or over another of the city's Great Links to the nation [Music] new housing facilities are being built throughout the metropolitan area by opening day 350 hotels and motels with Pleasant accommodations will be ready for you in all price ranges some like this one right off the fairgrounds others in New York itself are familiar and comfortable still others are brand new with the gloss and Sheen of modernity some motels are right in town and parking is no problem and staying in New York is [Applause] fun from the tallest building a view that is unsurpassed [Music] delightful [Music] lunch and a cooling spring [Music] Breeze curtain time along the great white [Music] way even buying tickets to the fair tickets are on sale now all over the country [Music] many City institutions will sponsor joint programs with the fair the Guggenheim Museum the New York Public Library the Museum of Modern Art the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Magnificent Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts the New York State theaters to open in time for the fair and philarmonic [Music] Hall concerts plays Opera and ballet at the great Lincoln Center getting to the fair from the city is easy take a subway bus rail roll pleasure boat or even your own boat to the world Fair Marina over 800 craft will be able to dock here for a visit to the fair or you can even take a helicopter from three New York horts one on the roof of the panamic building helicopters will make regular flights to the fair they'll land at the Port of New York New Jersey exhibit building world's fairs as a rule are ephemeral will there be anything lasting at this one oh yes indeed uh in the first place we'll have a uh several new buildings but over and above that we're going to finish Flushing Meadow Park with the receipts of the fair and uh when I say that I think it'll be the finest Park in the city of New York it's right at the geographical and population Center and I think it will cost about $10 million to finish the park uh the Landscaping will be here the trees will still be here uh about half the utilities have been put in on a permanent basis so they'll stay and uh this will be a great Park the park but in the meantime construction goes on so rapidly in fact that what you see here is already ancient history it won't be long now so plans and preparations race ahead for the opening of the gates to the New York World's Fair and you'll be one of the 70 million perhaps 80 million visitors to see this one of the most spectacular shows of all time and now until April 22nd 1964 so long [Music]