Watching Old Newsreels: The March of Time, Vol. 1, No. 8

Is this worth a watch?

If you have a weird itch to see how people got their news before the internet, absolutely. If you want a relaxing Sunday afternoon flick, stay away. This is for the history nerds and the folks who find Historic Mexico City or dusty archives more interesting than a blockbuster.

The whole thing moves at a breakneck speed. It’s like being trapped in a room with someone who just drank six espressos and really wants to explain the Republican campaign to you. There is no time to breathe, let alone reflect.

The strike-breaker segment is the highlight. It’s gritty in a way that feels surprisingly real, almost like the filmmakers stumbled into something they weren't supposed to see. The faces in the crowd look like they’ve seen too much, which, honestly, they probably had.

Oddly enough...

The part about the wild ducks is a total gut punch. It’s strange how a short newsreel can make you feel genuinely annoyed at people from the 1930s. I found myself muttering, “Put the gun down, seriously,” at my monitor. It’s a bit dramatic, sure, but it hits harder than some modern documentaries.

The narration is so intense it’s almost funny. It sounds like the guy recording it was trying to prevent a war with his voice alone. Every sentence is delivered like it's the most important thing to ever happen in the history of the universe.

• The pacing is frantic.
• The music is mostly just brass instruments being loud.
• The political talk feels oddly familiar, which is a bit depressing.

It lacks the charm of something like The Son of a Sheik, but it has this weird, pulsing energy. It reminds me a bit of the frantic editing in One Shot Ross, though clearly aimed at 'serious' stuff. You don't watch this to be entertained; you watch it to get a headache and learn something.

I caught myself pausing to look at the backgrounds. The hats, the cars, the way people just stand there looking uncomfortable in front of a camera. It’s a weirdly personal look at a world that doesn’t exist anymore.

Overall? It’s a mess, but it’s a fascinating mess. Just don't expect a smooth ride. 🦆