This documentary film “The Workmanship Myth” was created by acclaimed journalist Martin Agronsky and produced by the Bill Sandy Company. It examines the comparative quality of workmanship in American car factories vs. foreign car manufacturers in the late 1970s. The film seems to date to between 1977 and 1979, a time when domestic car production was under threat by foreign cars, especially Japanese cars, which the public perceived as better quality products. Throughout his documentary report, Agronsky interviews various key figures who comment on the international market for manufactured products in the 1970s, especially cars. Interviewees include: Japanese business managers (3:00), a representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce (5:00), youth and auto workers (8:45, 13:35), and a General Motors executive (14:45). Footage of various 1970s vehicles parked and in motion and car assembly lines in the U.S. and elsewhere are a major component of the film, interspersed with the interviews.

Contents in detail:

Recreational baseball, man slides to makes second base (0:05). Various individuals in the 1970s (0:25). TV store; Colortrak sign (0:40). Martin Agronsky discusses labor market in 1970s (0:45). Title: “The Workmanship Myth” (1:35). Martin Agronsky speaks to camera about work and workmanship (1:45). Busy Japanese department store (Isetan) in the 1970s: children play with toys (Tonka truck); towels; clothing; jewelry; Polaroid camera; Pulsar LED watch; pens with American flags; Stanley tools (2:22). Interview with Kazumasa Kohshiba, Isetan Tokyo department store manager, about American consumer product imports (“functional, durable, reasonable”) (3:05). Customers and salesman at Japanese Black & Decker department store: small appliances, tennis rackets, American paraphernalia (4:30). American Ace cargo ship, shipping containers, American flag; crane moving shipping container off ship (4:50). Martin Agronsky interviews Charles Hostler, Deputy Assistant Security for International Commerce (U.S. Department of Commerce) (5:08). Martin Gronsky addresses camera while on warehouse lift (6:15). Workers on assembly line at Volkswagen car factory (6:30). Women drive finished cars at Volkswagen factory (6:50). Agronsky addresses camera again (7:00). Cars drive through Equitable Trust Bank (7:15). Sleek red car (ID?) drives through Jack in the Box (7:20). 1970s Toyota cars drive off Toyota ship (7:29). Various different 1970s cars parallel parked (7:30). Agronsky at dark assembly line presents information about American job loss in 1970s (7:40). Young man in leather jacket interviewed at unemployment office (8:49). Agronsky speaking again (9:12). Three-lane American highway, 1970s (9:30). Visual sequence outlining car purchase rationale: cheap cars listed (Datsun Honeybee, Honda, Toyota Corolla, AMC Gremlin, Pinto Pony, Fiat 128, Subaru, Chevette, Vega); EPA fuel economy rankings explained (Honda CVCC, VW Rabbit, Chevrolet Chevette, Datsun B210, Subaru, Pinto Pony MPG) (9:35). Agronsky presents at car park (10:40). Various 1970s car owners are interviewed about perceptions of foreign manufacturing (11:40). Datsun, Fiat, and Chevette assembly lines; phenomenon of temporary workers in Germany discussed (12:03). 1970s American auto workers interviewed—Mike Schutak, Marlin Whitey Ford (of UAW Local 1112 Ohio) (13:35). Agronsky speaks to camera; headlines highlighted about new Volvo and VW U.S. factories (14:20). Agronsky interviews General Motors Vice President Robert Lund (Chevrolet General Manager)—workforce quality; “the bottom line of technology is still people…” (14:45). Various steam engines in Smithsonian Museum, train steam engine display (16:30). Agronsky speaks at Smithsonian Museum amid various historic engines (16:50). Various shots of American men working at factories; narration: “We are the American workers. We are not some nameless, faceless legion; we are us.” (17:15). Credits: The Smithsonian Institution; Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corp.; U.S. Department of Commerce; Isetan Co. LTD., Tokyo; U.S.A. Embassy, Tokyo; Bill Sandy company (17:50).

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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com