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Universal Newsreels preserved America's cultural history. These films connected our grandparents and great-grandparents to the rest of the world as the CNN or CBS Evening News of their day. Today thousands of these film reels are available for research and viewing at the National Archives, but only Phillip W. Stewart was dedicated enough to play detective and compile these details to make these films accessible to the public. This first volume of "Projected History" details the newsreels from 1929-1930, with several more volumes on their way. Most Americans are unaware that over 100,000 edited film titles in the National Archives exist. This newsreel collection is a forgotten treasure trove of Americana that Stewart is helping to retrieve. Stewart states he is writing the "Projected History" series: "out of a great appreciation for our country's rich collection of motion picture recorded history and a desire to ensure that it is preserved and accessible for future generations. To see history as it actually happened is enlightening, instructive and often rather dramatic."
Projected History: A Catalog of the National Stories Produced by Universal Newsreel, Volume One, 1929-1930
Phillip W. Stewart
pms press (2008)
ISBN 9780979324383
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (09/08)
“Projected History: A Catalog of the National Stories Produced by Universal Newsreel, Volume One, 1929-1930” is a comprehensive compilation of information based on Universal’s textual records and microfilm documentation.
This and subsequent volumes of the series are compiled and edited by Phillip ‘Phil’ W. Stewart, retired U.S. Air Force officer, historical film consultant, and video and TV producer. Stewart is also an award-winning author of three previous books: “Battlefilm,” “War Wings,” and “America’s Film Vault.”
Phil focuses on the documented history of the U.S. and around the world as recorded by Universal Newsreel movie cameras. This edition contains all the stories nationally released during the first two years of production and distribution.
The Universal Newspaper Newsreel was released twice weekly during 1929 and 1930. The productions included highlights from the week's news, thought to be important or entertaining, including such topics as: developments of the aircraft and shipping industry, beauty pageants, sports, politics, and celebrities. The format of the book includes short descriptions written at the time for the newsreel's synopsis sheets. Stewart has also provided a comprehensive and exhaustive title and subject indices.
I enjoyed the frequent inclusion of "News Oddities" in the earlier editions. This was a kind of predecessor to " America's Funniest Home Videos." Another feature appeared in late-1929 called "News Paragraphs." These were human interest stories with intriguing titles that captured my curiosity. The sketches included catchy phrases like: "Stockholm, Sweden - Fancy Steppers meet" - Novel `hoofing' features 10th anniversary of Folk Dancers' League." Volume 2, Number 95, Monday, November 24, 1930 included this holiday tidbit: "New York, NY - Turkey pluckers compete! Establish feather-denuding record of 30 birds in 50 minutes."
Phil Stewart has created an important work. The book includes all the Universal Newsreel stories released nationally in the U.S. This is the first time that a Universal Newsreel story title, description, and availability have been compiled in one single reference work.
“Projected History” will quickly become recognized as an invaluable resource for students of film, U.S. and world history enthusiasts, genealogy aficionados, and by those involved in TV, video and multimedia communications services.
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