This untitled and uncredited silent, color amateur film was shot in widescreen. It chronicles the 1964-1965 World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York. The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair was a world’s fair that held over 140 pavilions and 110 restaurants representing 80 nations, 24 U.S. states, and over 45 corporations. The fair covered half the park and many of the iconic fixtures from the fair remain today such as the Unisphere, the Astro-View Towers, and the Terrace on the Park banquet hall. The fair’s theme for the year was “Peace Through Understanding” and was dedicated to “Man’s Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe.”

Film opens, various visitors study map on outskirts of fair grounds (0:08). Unisphere and reflecting pool (0:29). Crowd gathers at Mexico pavilion for dance and acrobatic show (1:03). New York State Pavilion and observation towers, “​​Astro-View Towers;” Camera pans area near New York Pavilion offering viewer sense of crowd and layout of fair (3:56). Another shot of Unisphere (5:20). “The Court of States,” New England States exhibition pavilions in one larger exhibition area, rustic “Country Store” and nautical themed restaurant (5:47-7:09). Roof of temple-like Thailand Pavilion peaks out over treetops; Other shots of Thailand Pavilion facade (7:10-8:34). Facade of United States Pavilion, “Freedom of the Human Spirit” bronze statue by Marshall Fredericks (8:46). Miniature 16 inch gauge train (by Alan Herschel Company for LIRR exhibit) carries spectators around track (9:14). Two boys pose inside of giant sized rubber tire, likely part of U.S. Rubber exhibit (10:02). Montana Pavilion “The Big Sky Country,” visitors escorted around perimeter of pavilion on horseback (10:16). West Virginia Pavilion (10:59). Maryland Pavilion (11:15). Singer Bowl open-air stadium (11:48). Iconic cloud-like roof structure Brass Rail Restaurant (12:11). Tower attached to Billy Graham Pavilion (12:58). Formica World’s Fair House (13:05). U.S. Space Park “Rocket Park” and New York Hall of Science building; Glimpse of Ford Pavilion (14:25). Bright lights illuminate fair grounds at night, fireworks (15:18-19:04). Camera pans “Freedom of the Human Spirit,” spectators slowly trickling into fair grounds (19:05). “Magic Skyway” structure, Disney exhibit (20:41). View of cars driving along Interstate 678 (20:55). Terrace on the Park banquet hall, crowds making their way through fair grounds (21:10). Shot of rocket as part of Chrysler exhibition (21:37). More in depth look at U.S. Space Park “Rocket Park” area (featuring Aurora 7, Mercury capsule, models of X-15 aircraft, RM-81 Agena, a Gemini spacecraft, an Apollo command/service module, and Apollo Lunar Module); Group of boy scouts line up eager to look at rockets (22:10). Glimpse of Chrysler Theater as part of larger Chrysler Pavilion (24:43). Löwenbräu Bavarian Beer Garden, horse-drawn cart weaves through crowd carrying beer kegs arranged to spell “Munich Löwenbräu” (24:54). Uniroyal Giant Tire Ferris wheel for U.S. Rubber (25:55). Distinctive Moon dome roof of Travel Pavilion (26:04). More in depth look at Chrysler Pavilion, “Engineering Island” (26:09). Aerial view of Cities Service World’s Fair Band of America trolley riding through fair grounds (26:32). General Motor’s (GM) Pavilion; Futurama Ride (27:36). Juxtaposing GM and Chrysler Pavilion, sea of bright colors and mid-century modern design (29:38). Nightfall once more, once again colorful light show emanating from central fountain, fireworks display (31:12-34:10). Next day, fair grounds open again, visitors flood through main entrance, camera pans fair grounds, trolley cars ride throughout streets of fair grounds for spectators to hop on and off (34:23). Aerial view visitors in line for a pavilion/ experience (36:52). The House of Good Taste (3 houses traditional, contemporary, modern with design fixtures, cars, etc. that match era of design) part of Homemakers’ Center (36:59-41:40). Ponchinellos Puppet Theatre (42:48). Belgian Pavilion area built to resemble walled Flemish village as it may have appeared in 1800; Belgian Gilles Dancers performance (42:53-45:26). Film ends (45:28).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com