Cheap World of Tomorrow (Video) (Tom Johnson (IV), Lance Bird) Price

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Customer Reviews of World of Tomorrow

This tape starts out with so much promise. But ends with a
whimper. Just like the World's Fair of 1939-40 itself, all the fireworks on that last day notwithstanding. At first you'd swear that it's a promotion for the movie the Wizard of OZ with the allusion to it & the music. The movie fared better than the fair over time. But I'm a sucker for old newreels & home movies. I love peeking back 65 years. 1939 was the year to see the fair. It had a scientific emphasis to it. By 1940 much of the world was at war. Somewhere along the way, New York City felt this should be a money-maker. It didn't, in fact, it lost. So, for 1940, the bean-counters were called in. The great visions for the future were dumped for a common carnie atmosphere. It still lost $$$. The biggest losers were the fair-goers, but they probably didn't realize it at the time. The Middleton Family from Indiana showed up & demonstrated that new wonder, television. That part of the future came true. The expressways of the future & a modern new kitchen with a new refrigerator & dishwasher, were apparently a big hit. It's a fun documentary & important cultural history.

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Facinating Subject - Mediocre Quality
Most of this video is from home movies taken at the 1939 World's Fair. If you find the subject interesting you should consider this video. There is something about a film/video that greatly enhances one's experience that still photographs cannot.

The film is narrated by Jason Robards, who does a good job describing his experiences when he attented the Fair. It delves into the Fair's history, exhibits, and the relevance of the fair to pre-war US.

The print leaves a lot to be desired however. I cannot ascertain whether the video has been copied too many times or if the film had deteriorated when it was transfered. Sometimes details are hard to make out and the color bleeding is bad. Al in all I recommend it with a caveat.