For the Living
For the Living is a short film from ca. 1949 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
Though ultimately a plug for the New York City Housing Authority, this film begins as a "story about a city -- this city." An extended montage of street scenes, buildings, store windows, diners, subway stations, parks, bridges (the George Washington Bridge), and libraries gives way to a short montage of "the backwash of a city's growth, the slums" (includes shots of Chinatown and the Lower East Side). The film then goes on to dramatize the ways in which people are "ghetto-bound by color, religion, and poverty" (racist landlords, unreasonable rents, etc...). From here we move into a short history of the projects the NYC Housing Authority has built (Red Hook, Vladeck House, Fort Greene, and 2 Frankfort St. are all shown). the housing projects (images here of the demolition and building of apartment complexes as people look on) are discussed as a "way to secure families" and a means to "build a living community of health and happiness" (the camera pans across mailboxes which are labeled with family names of all nationalities).
More shots: Application and filing process (people filling out forms) A parade of women with baby carriages bringing laundry to the laundromat Children brushing teeth in apartment bathroom
Film ends with a final conclusion from Thomas Farrell, Chairman, New York City Housing Authority and the Mayor. Final title reads "The Beginning."
Contains exceptionally good shots of NYC in late 1940's. Elevated trains, pan across skyline, traffic and pedestrians, Lindy's window shopping, ethnic ghettos (Italian etc) pan up skyscrapers, phone booths, Harlem, wrecking ball, buildings being demolished, CU boy brushing teeth, much more recommended.| For the Living | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | New York City, Television Production Unit |
Production companies | New York City, Television Production Unit |
| Distributed by | New York City, Television Production Unit |
Release date | ca. 1949 |
Running time | 21:09 |
| Language | English |
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