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Video of the day: New York City 1938
Today's Video of The Day takes us all the back to the year 1938, when New York City was 'The Wonder City'. Watch this video through to the end and take note of all the changes you see. Not only is New York City very different these days than it was back then (even more people, even more speeding cars), but, naturally, the people of New York are different these days, too. But the differences, after they have been accounted for, aren't actually what I find to be so striking about this video. It's the similarities that get me. Watch as the video guides you through the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street, take note of how easily you connect with the traffic on the streets. If you have ever lived in or visited NYC, this video takes you back in time but simultaneously serves to show that NYC is, as always, pretty timeless.
Filed under: North America, United States, Video
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Orlando R Reyes Sr Jan 14th 2012 8:41AM
I am sure we all see something different when we watch this. I am a New Yorker, so it makes me ache as it also reminds me of those German propaganda films I've seen. It is not the visual yet the commentators words that get me. It reeks of planned obsolescence, inclusiveness yet separate. Of send us your poor and ignorant so we can enslave them, of that trickle down mentality. Yes it is nostalgic, yet depressing at the same time. A false promise of hope. If you will...remember the triangle shirt waist factory fire of 1911, we seem to be going nowhere fast. So stay alert, educate yourself. Live and love within your means!...?
teltech543 Jan 14th 2012 9:08AM
I would have loved to have lived back then. Anyone else notice how "white" it was? Not like the "darkness" you see nowadays destroying our cities.
Stanley Jan 14th 2012 9:20AM
It's refreshing to get the view from a bigoted right wing Republican this morning
jmseener Jan 14th 2012 9:25AM
i couldnt agree more . diversity is/has been the downfall of america. truly a shame .
ralph Jan 16th 2012 10:43AM
ignorance,apathy,and complacence are the enemies of america.
freedom is never free and unless you are a native american we all came here from somewhere else
diversity is what makes this country great .
if you love this country lets make it better by taking an active part
Moore Jan 14th 2012 9:49AM
Please watch.
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MrsMac Jan 14th 2012 10:31AM
I don't agree with the negative comments here. This was 1938 life and attitudes were very different back then. I I enjoyed this very much if for no other reason than to compare us from back then to now and see how far we have come, as well as how far back we are from those days.
Still Thinking Jan 14th 2012 4:17PM
I agree. We cannot change the past but we can learn from it. Neither negativity nor apathy will not right wrongs, create jobs, decrease crime, or help us as a nation or as individuals. Many people have fixed beliefs that his/her viewpoint is THE RIGHT one. Being more positive in our attitudes and actions will help us mold a better today and tomorrow.
Elwood Jan 14th 2012 11:34AM
One correction. The bull statue isn't actually on Wall Street, or anywhere near it. It's at Bowling Green, about a 1/4 mile down Broadway. As for the #1 attraction, I've lived in NY my whole life and have never been to the Statue of Liberty. This is common with NYers. If you didn't go to the Statue on a school trip, there's a good chance you'll never get there.
Mark Jan 14th 2012 10:51AM
The narator also had some interesting comments about our Asain New Yorkers as well.....It's good to see narrowmindedness and bigotry from a historical perspective. LOL
JB Jan 14th 2012 11:22AM
One of the best weeks of my life was spent with lifelong friends on a trip to NYC in 2007. It was something I had wanted to do all my life and being there for my birthday was wonderful. I would love to live there! This video is a neat little 'time capsule". I never understand people who think history should be "corrected" or re-written to suit politically correct zealots of the current day. Enjoy it for what it is....a look at the world's greatest city in 1938.
Mary Jan 14th 2012 11:50AM
I love this. It is so nice to have footage from so long ago. It certainly was a different world then.
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JP Jan 14th 2012 1:06PM
The period of the 1920s was widely regarded as an era of prosperity. Unemployment amongst urban workers remained, on average, under 7 percent. Per capita income grew by a third during a decade of economic expansion that remained relatively unmarred by inflation and recession. The standard of living improved across the board for the employed sector of the economy. Such improvements were measured not only in increases in earnings between 1922 and 1929, but in living conditions. A 1929 Bureau of Labor Statistics study of Ford Motor Company employees found, for example that industrial workers lived in far more salubrious conditions than they did at the turn of the century. Employed workers lived in houses that provided, on average, one room per person. They enjoyed electricity, central heating, and inside running water, and toilets. The notion of abundance and consumerism became a means of establishing American unity. In some sense, though, little changed for the industrial worker. Unemployment in this period was, indeed, lower than it had been in previous decades, but continued high unemployment and job turnover characterized the industrial working experience. A continued labor surplus fueled not by immigration but Black migration and migration from the farm to the city along with the displacement of both skilled and unskilled workers with machines insured continued levels of high unemployment and job insecurity along with limited improvements in wages and working conditions.
Walt Jan 14th 2012 1:09PM
This really brought back memories. I was born in NYC in 1935, so when this film was made I was only 3 years old. But things hadn't changed that much by the time I was old enough to start remembering. I have lots of fond memories of Penn Station, the 1940 World's Fair, the Coney Island boardwalk, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and yes, Ebbet's Field and the Dodgers.
Walt
Ronald Jan 14th 2012 2:03PM
I attended Parsons Schools of Design in the mid 1970's and the proximity to Washington Square Park, NYU, and SoHo brought back a lot of fond memories of my college life in still to this day a wonderous city.
Tess Jan 17th 2012 4:10PM
I would have like to have attended a school like that or Pratt School of Design. Tell me, did you end up finding a job for what you studied for? Was it worth the time and money going to the design school. Did it help you get the job you want, and most important are you still doing art? Curious.
ROBERT Jan 14th 2012 2:23PM
My Great,Great Grandfather came to Queens in 1848 from Prussia and was a farmer and his name was Johann Peter Karkheck . My Great grandfather, Grand father, and Father were also born in Queens. I would like to spend some time there just to walk around New York City if I ever can.