Content from United States Information Agency (USIA)

During the fertile early years of Drew Associates following the breakthrough of Primary, came this seldom-seen portrait of David Allen, a jazz trumpeter struggling in the Santa Monica drug rehabilitation center Synanon House. Pennebaker’s love of music drew him to David and the film prefigures later portraits such as Dont Look Back. He teamed with Life photographer William Ray and producer Gregory Shuker.

"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).

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.

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 film depicts how people around the world benefit from innovations developed by the U.S. space program. Without narration, the film uses motion pictures, still photography, and animation to show advances in food production, education, communications, navigation, meteorology, resource exploration, mapping, and other activities. The film was produced by Murakami Wolf Films, Inc. (Hollywood, CA), directed by Jimmy Murakami, executive produced by Fred Wolf, and features the voices of Olan Soule and Lennie Weinrib, with music composed by Chico Hamilton" (US National Archives).

"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 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.

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)

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 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).

A psychedelic animated short celebrating America's bicentennial. The film " provides a short, impressionistic history of the U.S. through famous American symbols, including the Statue of Liberty; the Woodstock logo; the Liberty Bell; and Mt. Rushmore. The symbols are layered on top of each other, as can be seen from a bald eagle hatching from a red, white, and blue egg and flying past the American Gothic farmers, the U.S. Capitol building, the Golden Gate Bridge, Abraham Lincoln’s cabin, and an American bison. The film was directed by Vince Collins" (US National Archives).

"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).

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 portrays the lives of three American women as they participate in the world of work. The film shows the resultant benefits to the women themselves, their families, and the nation's economy" (US National Archives).

"This film portrays basketball star Bill Bradley in his school days as a Rhodes Scholar, and later as a member of the New York Knickerbockers and a volunteer worker in the Harlem ghetto. The film also shows Bradley as he sees himself and sorts out his thoughts concerning his past and future" (US National Archives).

"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").

"This semi-animated documentary film portrays Czechoslovakian animator Paul Fierlinger's arrival to the United States and covers his production of a film that presents the history, legends, and significance of the American flag. The film was produced by Concept Films" (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).

"This film depicts modern American products and U.S. economic development through the U.S. national exhibit at the 1966 trade fair in Addis Ababa, Ehtiopia, which was attended by 360,000 Africans (including children from the Haile Selassie I Day School, who toured the exhibition as part of a classroom assignment)" (US National Archives). Directed by renowned cinematographer, Stevan Larner.