This episode of “Yesterday’s Newsreel” is of from an early television series that drew on the holdings of the defunct General Newsreel Company. The first section is “1917-1938 Russia” the rise of the Reds. In March of 1917, the Romanov reign ends (:40) and the new Soviet is about to come into prominence with Nikolai Lenin (1:05). Kerensky’s war policy was met with opposition as Lenin arrives from Switzerland (1:29). As turmoil brews, 80,000 Bolshevik party members turn out to support Lenin and Leon Trotsky (1:44). Joesph Stalin (1:55) was general secretary in 1917. Kerensky calls for a meeting at the All Russia Conference in the Bulshoi theater in Moscow where he accuses Lenin for inspiring anti-war propoganda (2:16). On November 17, 1917 a Bolshevik riot ensues at the Winter Palace (2:27). These are actual shots of Petrograd and Moscow (2:38) as it falls and the Bolsheviks mark their beginning of power.
Petrograd was renamed as Leningrad as Lenin returns in October from Finland (2:48). Red flags fly over the Kremlin (3:00). From this point Communism and Sovietism join forces (3:26). In January of 1924, Vladimir Lenin dies (3:33) and Stalin sees this as his opportunity. He then pushes Trotsky into exile for three years and then continues to pursue followers left behind in the government for years after (4:29). The segment ends with images of his well equipped armies marching in 1938 (4:31) as Stalin has risen to supreme command.
“1917 WW1 War Worker” centers around the woman worker climbing and cleaning chimneys during wartime (5:11).
“1921 Personalities” (5:41) begins with the English poet, journalist and novelist, Rudyard Kipling who wrote ‘Road to Mandalay’, among other works. He recieves the Doctorate of Literature degree from Sorbonne University in Paris. Maybell Normand is pictured with Tommy Hitchcock (6:10). Her first big film was ‘Mickey’ in 1918. We also see famous composer, Victor Herbert in 1924 with Norma Talmage and Wallace Berman (6:31). Next, a look at Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931). Edison (6:41) passed in October 18, 1941 and workers at his Orange NJ plant pay their last respects. He was born in Milan, Ohio in 1897 (7:14). He only completed three months of public schooling, yet his accomplishments in science are world renowned. We see him pictured with his wife (7:34) and in rare moments of leisure. The first instrument able to reproduce human voice was his phonograph (7:53) and his incandescent light was developed in 1879 (8:00). “1936 Fashions of the Day” is for evening gowns. Popular styles included off the shoulder effects, black velvet material, low necklines or studded with steel beads (9:02).
“USS Akron Disaster” was in 1933 (9:32). In Lakehurst, the USS Akron was pictured for the last time in the air. Executive Officer Wiley (10:00) was aboard and it is reported missing shortly after take off by the Jersey shore as it hit the center of an electrical storm (10:19). The J-3 is sent to rescue yet reaches the same fate and crashes. Only three of the 76 members are saved, one being Wiley (10:46). In “1931 Sports” (10:56), we go to Lake Ontario. On September 2, 1931; 180 swimmers race a 15 mile course for a price of $15,000 offered by William Rigby Jr. George Young had won the Catalina four years prior (11:29) and wins again. In 1936, the American two man bobsleigh team wins the Championship at the Olympics and the film ends with the pair; Ivan Brown and Alan Washbond (12:13).
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