1939 New York NY World's Fair 4 DVD Set

$24.97     Qty:


SKU: A15-A18

The 1939 New York World's Fair, located on the current site of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (also the location of the 1964 New York World's Fair), was one of the largest world's fairs of all time. Many different countries around the world participated in it, and over 25 million people attended its exhibits. The NYWF of 1939 allowed all visitors to take a look at "The world of tomorrow."

Product Details

The 1939 New York World's Fair was held on the current site of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park which was also the location of the 1964 New York World's Fair. The 1939 Worlds Fair was one of the largest world's fairs of all time. Many different countries around the world participated in it, and over 25 million people attended its exhibits. The highlight of the fair was the World of Tomorrow exhibit.

The 1939 Worlds fair took four years to plan and construct and was the biggest international event since World War I. It held its grand opening on April 30, 1939 with 200,000 people in attendance on opening day.

One of the most famous exhibits at the fair was a time capsule, which was not to be opened till 6939 A.D. The time capsule contains many important artifacts of the era, among them; writings by Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann, copies of Life Magazine, a kewpie doll, a dollar in change, a pack of Camel cigarettes and millions of pages of text on microfilm..

The fair was open for two seasons, and was officially closed on October 27, 1940. It attracted over 45 million visitors during that time and generated approximately $48 million dollars in revenue. Unfortunately, the Fair Corporation had invested 67 million dollars (in addition to nearly a hundred million dollars from other sources) to put on the event so the most successful fair of all time was in fact an economic bust.

The 1939 New York World's Fair was themed. It was divided into different "zones" much like you would experience at Disney Land and Disney World today. The zones were distinguished by many subtle cues, including differently colored lighting. The "Theme Center" consisted of two landmark monumental buildings named the Trylon and Perisphere. But it was the amusements area that was the hit of the attraction - gathering many more visitors than the various zones - as it was a way for people to "escape" for a while and have some fun.

Here are all the films that make up this historical 4 DVD 1939 New York World's Fair collection:

Contents of DVD 1

The World's Fair: August 1940

This film highlights the New York Worlds Fair in August of 1940. It shows the Ford Building, the Electrical Building, the Japanese building, a parade, the City of Light and several other exhibits. It provides an excellent overview in its 4 minutes.

Producer: Unknown
Audio/Visual: Silent, Color
Run time: ~ 4 Minutes

 

New York World's Fair, 1939-40 (1939)

Take a 30 minute tour of the World of Tomorrow. This is a wonder film to orient you on the goings on at the world fair - capturing all the major highlights in its 30 minutes.

Producer: Wathen (R.W.)
Audio/Visual: Silent, Color
Run Time: 27:57

 

To New Horizons (1940)

This film documents General Motor's contribution to the worlds fair - GM's Futurama exhibit in its Highways and Horizons pavilion. It showcases the wonderful future world of 1960 - which given the mental state of the American people during this time of war was quite a marvel and momentary escape from a world that had just rolled from a depression to a war.

Producer: Jam Handy Organization
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 22:59

Contents of DVDs 2-4 - The Medicus Collection

Medicus collection: New York World's Fair, 1939-40 (1939)



This is an incredibly detailed documentation of the "World of Tomorrow". These 3 DVDs contain what is the most complete World's Fair experience you can here. This film explores every facet of the World Fair from the perspective of one of its visitors. Medicus painstakingly documented his entire experience at the fair and produced this wonderful work that spans 6 hours. In that time, he truly captures all the wonder and majesty of the fair. For someone looking to experience the full fair, this is the collection for you. It will give you a complete tour of all the exhibits, rides, attractions, primary shows and impromptu street shows that were part of the everyday excitement of this unique fair.

Producer: Medicus (P.)
Audio/Visual: Silent, Color
Run time: ~ 6 hours on 3 DVDs
Note: This series contains a small amount of nudity.