Press Release nr00-30
Press Release · Tuesday, February 8, 2000

Washington, DC

Washington, DC . . . In March, the National Archives and Records Administration presents film screenings relating to the new exhibition "Treasures of Congress," the continuing exhibition "Picturing the Century: Part II," and to Women's History Month.

The screenings will be held in the theater of the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, and in the auditorium the National Archives at College Park, which is located at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD. All programs are free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the National Archives at College Park. The times and dates may be verified by calling the National Archives public events line at (201) 501-5000. The hearing impaired should call TDD (202) 501-5404 for information.

PLEASE NOTE: The theater at the downtown National Archives Building is equipped with a system that allows the hearing-impaired to use a set of headphones, or neck loop and a small receiver, to enhance the volume of the public address system. Visitors may request these devices in the projection booth.

Washington, DC Events

Friday, March 3-Women's History Month
*Fly Girls, released in 1999. During World War II, more than 1,000 women signed up to fly with the U.S. military. Wives, mothers, actresses, and debutantes who joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) test-piloted aircraft, ferried planes, and logged 60 million miles in the air. Thirty-eight women died in service. After the program was abruptly canceled, it took 30 years before women would again break the gender barrier in the skies. Written, produced, and directed by Laurel Ladevich. (60 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, March 10-Treasures of Congress
*The Iron Road, released in 1990. After commissioning several surveys across the American West, in 1862 Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Acts, which authorized funds for the construction of what would become the Transcontinental Railroad. This documentary from PBS's "The American Experience" series is the story of the building of the first railroad link connecting the East to the West. Produced by Neil Goodwin. (60 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Friday, March 17-Archival Film: Academy Awards
On March 26, the 72nd Academy Awards will be presented. Over the years, several U.S. Government-produced and sponsored films now in the motion picture holdings of the National Archives have been nominated for or received this prestigious honor. Today NARA begins a 3-month series of a selection of these films.
*London Can Take It, released in 1941. Produced by Warner Brothers Pictures and the Office of Civilian Defense, this film documents a typical night in London under the German aerial bombardment. (21 minutes.)
*Der Fuehrer's Face, released in 1942. This satirical look at Hitler and the Nazi regime was produced by the Walt Disney Studio and features Donald Duck. (8 minutes.)
*The Battle of Midway, released in 1942. John Ford directed this color film of the Marines' struggle on this Pacific Island. (18 minutes.)
Noon. Theater.

Friday, March 24-Picturing the Century
*The Land, released in 1942. When Robert Flaherty was invited to direct a film for the U.S. Film Service, it was one of the rare instances when "The Father of Documentary Film" focused his camera on his own country. Unlike his previous films, such as Nanook of the North and Man of Aran, he dealt with contemporary problems and themes. The Land is a pictorial document of the Depression that took Flaherty across America during the summer of 1939. Although begun under the auspices of the U.S. Film Service, The Land was completed and released in 1942 by the Department of Agriculture. After the country's attention was diverted to World War II, it was rarely seen. NARA's screenings of The Land are presented in participation with the 2000 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital. (45 minutes.) Noon and 7 P.M. Theater.

Friday, March 31-Picturing the Century
Among the first forms of the nonfiction film were cinematic portraits of cities, their workings, and inhabitants. Dubbed "city symphonies," this genre of film used artistic and impressionistic photographic techniques. Today NARA presents a selection of films portraying the cities of New York and Washington, DC.
*Manhatta, released in 1921. Directed and photographed by Paul Strand and Charles Sheeler. (9 minutes, silent.)
*A Bronx Morning, released in 1931. Photographed by Jay Leyda. (11 minutes, silent.)
*City of Contrasts, released in 1931. Photographed by Irving Browning. (18 minutes.)
*Dawn Strikes the Capitol Dome, released in 1936. Produced by the Works Progress Administration. (10 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

College Park, MD Films (For descriptions of College Park films, see prior listings)

MARCH 6
Fly Girls (60 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

MARCH 13
The Iron Road (60 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

MARCH 20
London Can Take It (21 minutes.)
Der Fuehrer's Face (8 minutes.)
The Battle of Midway (18 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

MARCH 27
Manhatta (9 minutes.)
A Bronx Morning (11 minutes.)
City of Contrasts (18 minutes.)
Dawn Strikes the Capitol Dome (10 minutes.) Noon. Auditorium.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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