A fascinating view of the largest World’s Fair in history held in 1904. Hundreds of images, early film footage, and engaging interviews bring to life stories of dog-eating tribes on exhibit, marathon runners openly administered drugs, and the alleged creation of the ice cream cone and iced tea.
This engaging film offers a glimpse of the world as it was over 100 years ago, brought to life through hundreds of never-before-seen images, rare file footage from the earliest days of motion pictures, and comments from nationally recognized historians. The production also includes firsthand accounts read by well-known current day St. Louisans including Mayor Francis Slay, baseball legends Stan Musial and Ozzie Smith, and Stan Kann (who has appeared on The Tonight Show over 70 times).
Highlights of the fair presented in this documentary include:
A wedding on horseback performed on George Ferris’ enormous observation wheel intended to compete with the Eiffel Tower.
The first Olympic Games on American soil, held in conjunction with the Fair. Athletes competing in the marathon were administered drugs as they ran and were chased off course by dogs.
The dog eating, loin cloth-wearing Igorot tribe was a popular and controversial aspect of the fair.
Were the ice cream cone and iced tea really invented at the 1904 World’s Fair?
Awards
The Toronto ReelHeart Film Festival, three Emmy Awards® from N.A.T.A.S Mid-America including Best Documentary, a Telly award, the Missouri Humanities Council’s “Governor’s Award,” and the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle award.
Reviews
“Exhaustively researched and lavishly illustrated… An archival and technical wonder.” **** highest rating -The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“An intimate and unique look at the 1904 World’s Fair.” – The New York Times On The Web
“A remarkable achievement… It succeeds as both entertainment and sociological study.” – Riverfront Times
“A unique snapshot of America at the dawn of a new era… Simply glorious fun to watch!” – St. Louis International Film Festival
“One of the best histories of any World’s Fair available.” – Library Journal
“Elegantly speaks to topics that concern all of mankind to this very moment!” – Chris Clark, Artistic Director of Cinema St. Louis
“A great program that I am pleased to share with our audiences.” – Ron Pisaneschi, Idaho Public Television
“Highly recommended.” – American Library Association
Details
LENGTH: 1 x 119 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
CAMERA: HDCAM
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2004
RELEASE YEAR: 2007
SUPPLIER: Civil Pictures, Inc.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide
