Based on the holdings of the defunct General Newsreel Co, Yesterday’s Newsreel was a TV series that actual vintage news footage with modern narration. This episode begins with 1917-1950 State of Israel (:40). Great Britain’s General Allenby (:49) had played a major role in the capture of northern Palestine and the Jordan Valley. The Balfour Declaration had declared the Jewish people would have a national home. Jewish settlers arrived in Palestine (1:05). The land was difficult to utilize for crop as it was hard and dry. The first harvest supplied a meager output (1:24). The city begins to grow and boasts a population of 40,000 (1:49). In stunning black and white footage, we see early settlements and the city of Tel Aviv (2:02). The movement in the US in support of Israel also grows, drawing groups like Kadima Social Club. This was a youth movement for conservative Jewish teens and a banner flies on screen (2:06). In NYC, in 1948 a celebration erupts in the streets (2:10) as UN laws have officially established Israel as a free and independent state. The new flag with a singular star waves at a UN Ceremony (2:28). Turmoil erupts between Arab soldiers (2:36) and Ghana troops; an African country which had established ties with Israel early on, (2:49) prepare for war. Old Jerusalem was the ancient metropolis and appears at (2:59). Arab soldiers atop military vehicles manning weapons lead to the upcoming destruction and later looting of the city (3:16). Back at the UN, Count Folke Bernadotte of Sweden is shown (3:52) and he is later assassinated by Jewish militants. The Prime Minister and founder of Israel is David Ben Gurion (4:22). After the first of many conflicts, Arab soldiers are captured as prisoners (4:41). Chaim Weizmann (5:02) takes office as the first President (5:02). Dr. Ralph Bunche of the US and the UN appears (5:30).
For ‘Water Wonders’, in December of 1929 and in Bremen Germany, a propeller powered motor boat reaches 65 mph (5:57). Another plane that flies across water, the Robertson Waterplane (6:16) is shown in Alameda California.
Personalities in 1917 (6:43) takes us to Inspector Josephus Daniels; (6:50) the US Secretary of Navy, and his tour of inspection of the Atlantic Fleet in Hampton Roads Virginia. He served under Woodrow Wilson and had Franklin Delano Roosevelt as assistant secretary (7:07).
Lillian Russell, famed actress, appears next to a US Marine Recruitment poster of the time (7:17).
The Prime Minister of England, Ramsay MacDonald (7:38) is shown receiving an honorary Doctorate of Law from the University President of George Washington University.
In the late 1930’s a devastating train wreck befalls the Japanese company Far East Limited (8:07) near Kawachi Japan. Train cars fall into the ravine and seven are killed (8:07).
In ‘1929 Pike Peak or Bust’ (8:41) Bill Williams is pushing a peanut with his nose up to the top of Pike’s Peak Highway for a prize of $1,500 and he finishes in 22 days in Cascade Colorado.
For ‘Early 1920 Aviation’ airmen in Marshall Missouri (9:29) are experimenting with refueling in flight. At (9:16) a plane is shown flying over a pickup apparatus and grabs a five gallon can of fuel. Candidates for the Black Cat Society of Daredevils (10:08) hang from wingtips from planes flying at speeds of 100 mph and attempt barnstormer stunts in order to be admitted.
In the middle 1920’s, it was fashionable to wear the close-fitting hats with wide ribbons (10:43) long silk scarves, and wide shawls (11:06).
For sports, we look at the leading wrestler of the 20’s, Vladek Zbyszko. On screen he is demonstrating the popular moves such as the ‘flying mare’ (12:15).
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