In the week of its opening in a London cinema, BBC2 presents the world premiere of this new full-length film, a portrait of America from the Wall Street Crash to Pearl Harbour.
Using only contemporary material - newsreel, documentary and Hollywood films - it is a fascinating picture of the American experience during the years of the Depression.
Stars of the film include
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT , JAMES CAGNEY , HUEY LONG , JOE LOUIS , JOHN DILLINGER , SHIRLEY TEMPLE and KING KONG. Original recordings of the voices Of RUDY VALLEE , BESSIE SMITH and WOODY GUTHRIE help re-create the mood of the times - the era of the New Deal, of breadlines and Busby Berkeley , of marathon dances and the Dust Bowl.
Producers SANFORD LIEBERSON and DAVID PUTTNAM
Editor JEREMY THOMAS
Written and directed by PHILIPPE MORA