“United In Progress” (1963) is a color, documentary by Charles Guggenheim for the Information Services of the United States documenting President John F. Kennedy’s trip to San Jose, Costa Rica in March 1963 for the Conference of Presidents of the Central American Republic and Panama. The film first depicts vibrant scenes of life in Costa Rica and the enthusiastic crowds waiting to witness JFK’s arrival. The film then goes on to display footage from across Central America giving the viewer an understanding of daily life and the economic development underway at the time. JFK was the first American president to visit Costa Rica and as a result this trip was of utmost importance. It is interesting to note that this film is a Greek-language film and narration is completely in Greek.
Opening credits play over scenes from outdoor market in Costa Rica (perhaps San Jose Mercado Central), white wide brim hats dot the market landscape, bright colors of textiles and fresh fruits and vegetables, pottery (0:09). Montage clips pedestrians crowded around window of shop with banner of Costa Rican, American flags; other shots of American or Costa Rican flags waving reflected in glass of store windows (2:50). Portrait of President John F. Kennedy in bakery window surrounded by banner of mini flags from America, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala (3:08). Flag banners strung across walkway in the Mercado Central blow in wind, sign with text in Spanish reads “Welcome distinguished guests” (3:20). Public square packed with people crowd cheering, waving flags as JFK lands in San Jose in VH-3 Marine One Helicopter (3:30). JFK walks through and greets crowd of excited spectators with secret service officers, military personnel (4:12). JFK rides alongside motorcade of Military personal driving Willys Jeeps down main street, spectators wave American/ Costa Rican flags, signs that read “Viva America!” (4:56). Exterior and interior details of National Theater of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional); JFK walks to table in theatre while dignitaries stand and clap, news cameras close in and snap photos (6:29). Conference of Presidents of Central American Republics and Panama: presidents sit around table in center of theatre – General Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes, Julio Adalberto Rivera, Ramon Villeda Morales, Luis A. Somoza, Roberto F. Chiari (7:14). JFK makes opening remarks, President discusses the recent accomplishments of Alliance for Progress made across trade, finance, housing and proposes future education, industrialization, crop diversification programs (7:44). Steam locomotive pulls freight cars travels across rural, forested area; passes perhaps Arenal Volcano (9:34). Men work at port organizing exports, preparing cargo for American, Honduran ships (10:42). Border crossing between Costa Rica and Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas Border; commercial trucks pass through (12:03). Perhaps Guatemala – El Salvador Bridge over perhaps Lempa River (12:26). Views of jungle, agricultural lands, vast valleys, mountains from highway (12:48). Approaching views of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, like oasis springing up at end of stream in middle of valley (14:00). Close-up IBM typewriter typing document with official Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) letterhead (14:18). Bankers, economists meet in meeting room; close-up of coin (14:28). Development projects, construction sites; textile factory making burlap sacks; printing press prints copies of children’s book (14:55). Children work in book factory putting printed pages together (16:30). School-aged kids read books together outside when they hear school bell ring; children run down mountainside, across stream to school house in Honduran village (16:56). Reading class for elementary-school aged children (18:34). Group of men working hard at construction site (19:18). Wooden ferry boat traverses perhaps Lake Nicaragua, children rush down to water’s edge to greet ferry boat (20:04). Inoculation campaign: men, women, children, elderly of village line up to see American doctors (20:57). Eager crowd watches as VH-3 Marine One Helicopter lands in rural town, JFK delivers speech (22:19).
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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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
