The City

Director: Willard Van Dyke, Ralph Steiner

Overview

Made for the 1939 New York World's Fair ("The World of Tomorrow"), The City is a seminal documentary film distinguished for the organic integration of narration (scripted by city planner Lewis Mumford), cinematography (Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke), and music (Aaron Copland). The score, arguably Copland's highest achievement in film, was also his ticket to Hollywood; it has been called "an astonishing missing link not only in the genesis of Copland's Americana style but in American music and cinema." (Mark Swed, The Los Angeles Times). As the film contains no dialogue, it is possible to create a fresh soundtrack and discover musical riches inaudible on the original monaural recording. As Copland created no suite from The City, the present DVD at the same time marks the world premiere recording of this music in its entirety.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/27/2009
UPC:	0747313523153
Original Release:	1939
Source:	Naxos
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	2:11:00
Sales rank:	7,189

Special Features

The City with the original soundtrack (1939) featuring Morris Carnovsky (narrator) and an orchestra conducted by Max Goberman; Whick Playground for Your Child: Greenbelt or Gutter? (2000) - a documentary film from the Greenbelt Museum featuring interviews with three Greenbelt "pioneers"; George Stoney in conversation with Joseph Horowitz (2007) - a legendary documentary film-maker revisits The City

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Morris Carnovsky	Narrator
Max Goberman	Conductor
Angel Gil Ordonez	Conductor
Francis Guinan	Narrator
Aaron Copland	Composer

Technical Credits

Willard Van Dyke	Director
Ralph Steiner	Director
Steven K. Zakar	Producer
Joseph Horowitz	Executive Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The City
1. New England Countryside [7:11]
2. Urban Ills [6:31]
3. Fire Engine and Lunch Counter [4:08]
4. Sunday Traffic [5:32]
5. Science Takes Flight [2:38]
6. Baseball and Swimming [2:54]
7. Satisfying Common Needs [4:12]

Menu

Disc #1 -- The City
   Play
   Chapters
   Special Features
      The City With the Original Soundtrack
      Which Playground For Your Child: Greenbelt or Gutter?
      George Stoney in Conversation With Joseph Horowitz
   Audio Setup
      Dolby Stereo
      Dolby Surround
      DTS Surround