Mid-century: HALFWAY TO WHERE?

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 15th Year

Issue

Issue No.

4

Date Released

1950

Length of issue (in feet)

1518

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Mid-century: HALFWAY TO WHERE?

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: The film points to the material progress that has been made since the turn of the century but stresses that despite the amenities which have streamlined the design of modern living the average man has failed to find the happiness and peace of mind that he is eternally seeking. Instead, the acceleration of his existence and his concern as to whether his world and work will last has resulted in a nervous tension that has become the outstanding feature of our age. Reflecting this unrest is today’s wide acceptance of modern art and its impatience with traditional forms and limitations, which is discussed in the film by Herbert Read, the distinguished British critic.

With the world today split into two conflicting concentrations of power, the possibility of another war is one that is uppermost in the minds of most men. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Omar Bradley appraises the chances of its happening, tells how it might be fought but expresses the hope that the scientific progress in weapons may well be the ultimate deterrent to any future conflict. Already man’s capacity for destruction has been demonstrated on a terrifying scale, and the responsibility of the scientist in moulding the future of the world is summed up by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, famous for his work on the atomic bomb. How can science shape the future of man, and how can modern industry bring nations and individuals ever closer together? David Sarnoff, RCA Chairman, foretells the amazing innovations that will affect everyday life, and predicts that pocket-size radio instruments will enable individuals to communicate with anyone, everywhere. That newspapers, magazines, mail and messages will be sent through the air at lightning speed and reproduced in the home.

In the field of world politics, this March of Time introduces such widely diverse personalities as Britain’s Winston Churchill, defending democracy, and Harry Pollitt contending that all roads will lead to Communism. Speaking for labour, the American trade unionist Walter Reuther denies this claim and relates the goals that labour hopes to achieve in the years ahead. But material progress alone has not solved the problems which still plague mankind, and the great French philosopher, Jacques Maritain, speaks of the spiritual renewal throughout the world that is on its way. At the mid-century point, concludes the film, in an age of fear, war and tension, man hopes that he is half way to a world of peace and harmony. Of one thing he is sure; survival must rest on an honest co-operation among nations if future generations are to live in freedom and peace.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.16 No.1 of the US edition.

Keywords

Politics and government; Foreign relations

Written sources

The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.