United States Information Agency (USIA)

The March, also known as The March to Washington, is a 1964 documentary film by James Blue about the 1963 civil rights March on Washington. It was made for the Motion Picture Service unit of the United States Information Agency for use outside the United States – the 1948 Smith-Mundt Act prevented USIA films from being shown domestically without a special act of Congress. In 1990 Congress authorized these films to be shown in the U.S. twelve years after their initial release. In 2008, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". (Wikipedia)

This United States Army film tells the story of a Japanese woman who marries an American serviceman and moves with him to the United States.

An account of the rehabilitation of an electrician who is totally and permanently blinded by an accident. Shows how his courage and efforts help him to complete training under federal, state, and private programs which enables him to return to his job.

"This film uses the 1966 California gubernatorial race between Republican Ronald Reagan and Democratic incumbent Pat Brown to show how, every two years, autumn is the season of campaigns and elections in the United States. The film highlights election rituals and focuses on the excitement, rhetoric, and rivalries of campaigns, and how political candidates and issues are presented to the American public. The film is narrated by Lee Marvin and features an appearance by actor Chuck Connors in support of Ronald Reagan" (US National Archives).

"This film explores how freedom of speech — including dissent — is afforded to all Americans, and shows freedom of expression in art, music, dance, architecture, and science. The film also emphasizes the importance of the individual’s contribution to the whole of society and demonstrates how a productive and creative society is formed by the open and respectful exchange of ideas. The film was written, produced, and directed by William Greaves" (National Archives).

"This film documents President Nixon's 1972 trips to the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union, Iran, Poland, and Austria. Highlights include the exchange of toasts by Mr. Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and the signing of five major agreements by President Nixon and Russian leaders concerning cooperation in environmental protection, medicine, space, science and technology, and the use of the seas and other commercial relations" (US National Archives).

"This film traces the history of mankind's aspirations to reach the moon, giving credit to the many levels of scientific genius that made the Apollo 11 flight and moonwalks possible. The program documents the Apollo 11 mission, as well as earlier flights, post-flight appearances by astronauts in various countries, and the reactions of people throughout the world as they watched or read about the historic achievement" (US National Archives). The version that the National Archives currently holds is a shortened 60-minute cut, with the original being 92 minutes.

This film, produced in Indonesia and based on the old Japanese folk saying that "a man's happiness depends upon a knife, house, horse, wife, and singing bird," tells the story of the restoration of a young man to his rightful place in his society and nation, and depicts basic Indonesian traditions while outlining Indonesia's successful fight against malaria (with U.S. cooperation). The film follows Amin, a village youth who attempts to earn a living in the city. However, he is unsuccessful, and so he returns to his village to live with his wife-to-be, Marlina. Before the couple can marry, Marlina falls ill with malaria, and only after she is cured are they able to wed. The film was directed by Miriam Bucher and is a joint production of the U.S. Information Service (USIS) and Produksi Film Negara (PFN).

"This film features the people of Puerto Rico and the revival of the ancient culture of that island. The story is told through the eyes and work of Dr. Ricardo Alegria — head of Puerto Rico's Office of Cultural Affairs and the first executive director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. The film was produced by Paul R. Gurian, executive produced by David Boyer, and directed by Jack Sholder" (US National Archives).

"This film presents rare documentary footage of presidential inaugurations, from William McKinley in 1897 to Lyndon Johnson in 1965. The film conveys the strength, stability, and continuity of the U.S. government. Included in the program are highlights of the 1965 inaugural parade, footage from the inaugural balls, and performances by Carol Channing, Louis Armstrong, Margot Fonteyn, and Rudolf Nureyev. The film was produced by News of the Day, written and directed by Walter de Hoog, narrated by James Cagney, and includes original music by Bruce Herschensohn" (US National Archives).

The Spirit of America is a 1963 American short documentary film produced by Algernon G. Walker about the Spirit of America, the trademarked name used by Craig Breedlove for his land speed record-setting vehicles.. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.

"This Oscar-nominated short subject documentary film discusses the issue of how to feed a growing world population. The film, which was shot in locations around the globe, including Brazil, Uganda, India, and Taiwan, was directed by James Blue" (US National Archives).

The Numbers Start with the River is a 1971 American short documentary film about small-town life in Iowa. Produced by Donald Wrye for the United States Information Agency, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.

"This film, made by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) as part of its Cold War campaign to promote American interests and ideology abroad, covers First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's visit to India and Pakistan in 1962 and focuses on Mrs. Kennedy's growing popularity as a diplomatic force. The film was directed by Leo Seltzer, narrated by Raymond Massey, and released by United Artists" (US National Archives).

"This unfinished civil rights-era film details how segregation affects the daily lives of African Americans, and includes portions of interviews with James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and Ralph Metcalfe. Farmer, Wilkins, and Young were considered to be among the “Big Four” leaders in the U.S. civil rights movement, along with Martin Luther King, Jr. The film also describes the strides and challenges faced by African Americans in the areas of voting, housing, and education. The film was written by Louis Lomax, produced by Willard Van Dyke, directed by Graeme Ferguson, and narrated by Charles Gordone" (US National Archives).

A documentary made on the set of "The Learning Tree." Narrated by Gordon Parks Jr., and featuring interviews with Gordon Parks Sr. and members of the cast and crew.

"This film tells the story of a young Mexican-American carpenter in Los Angeles, California who earns journeyman status through night school classes and on-the-job apprenticeship training. The film also describes the vocational and economic opportunities that are made available through enlightened labor management in a free enterprise system. The film was written, produced, and directed by Hart Sprager, narrated by Ronald Feinberg, and is part of the [USIA's] 'Young in America" series.'" (US National Archives). This is also among the first films of the famous cinematographer, Vilmos Zsigmond (here credited as "William Zsigmond").

A beautifully photographed record of the yearly cycle of planting and growth which culminates in bountiful harvests across the farmlands of the United States. Panoramic in its treatment, the film shows something of the diversity of farming and harvesting techniques, rapid transport to the distant consumer, university research to increase crop yields and industrial ingenuity in devising improved machinery to lighten the farmer's task and increase the productivity of the land.

A short documentary film introducing, explaining, and justifying the Cold War-era propaganda and public diplomacy agency, the US Information Agency (USIA). Through a staged scenario in which the agency's director, Theodore Streibert, meets with a group of citizens curious to see how their tax dollars are put to work, the film shows USIA operations--including film screenings, magazine distribution, libraries, and Voice of America radio--all throughout the world.

"This documentary film covers a 24-day arts festival in Dakar, Senegal that highlighted Black contributions to the cultural heritage of mankind and was attended by an extraordinary cast of over 2,000 luminaries - including Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Alvin Ailey, Aime Cesaire, and Leopold Senghor - from dozens of countries. The film depicts performances by African and American entertainers and shows various works of art while also providing unparalleled insight from the perspective of the African American delegation. The film was written and directed by William Greaves" (US National Archives).