Save Our History: The Statue of Liberty

Despite the crusading umbrella title of this series, the Statue of Liberty has never been in danger. Unlike the hundreds of historic structures that are deliberately torn down, demolished, or destroyed by arson each year, she has never faced the greed of land developers or the misguided designs of urban “renewal.” Sure, the statue needed restoration after one hundred years, but who wouldn't? While much detail obviously had to be left out of such a short tape, it would have been nice to include the entire sonnet by Emma Lazarus inscribed on the statue's pedestal (either read or sung; there's a choral arrangement that many a schoolchild has learned). A poor second to Ken Burns Oscar-nominated hour-long documentary The Statue of Liberty (PBS Home Video, $14.98), this might find some use in school libraries, due to the running time; but remember, it is a poor second. Aud: I, J, H, P. (R. Reagan)