Projections of America

As World War II raged on, some visionary filmmakers saw a need to explain American values to liberated territories, while also anticipating what the post-war world could look like. Thus began the little known Projections of America series, which aimed to spread a "propaganda of truth" in short films that were often shown in bombed out theaters in areas often recently occupied by the Nazis. Filmmaker Peter Miller's PBS-aired documentary, narrated by John Lithgow, looks at these idealistic films that provided a positive view of American life. One of the driving forces behind the project was screenwriter Robert Riskin (It Happened One Night). Taking time off from Hollywood, enduring long separations from his actress wife, Fay Wray (King Kong), Riskin and his crew crafted short documentaries, usually meant to accompany a feature film. One of the most popular, The Autobiography of a Jeep (1943), was "narrated" by the vehicle, describing its journey from assembly line, to training ground, and finally onto the battlefield. Another film, The Cummington Story (1945), shows a real New England town, charting the citizens' journey from suspicion to acceptance as they encounter refugees from war-torn lands. Surprisingly, one of the most successful films was the seemingly esoteric subject of the Library of Congress, not simply depicting the functions of the library, but also providing a stirring tribute to intellectual freedom. Of course, some members of Congress opposed the overall program, detecting a pro-Roosevelt bias. Although these films have remained mostly unseen since the war, they are being preserved and slowly restored by (appropriately enough) the Library of Congress. While more film clips would have been welcome, this is an interesting documentary that sheds light on an inspiring and little known subject. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)