New York World's Fair: A Collection of Short Subjects

This collection of six promotional films - one of them nearly an hour long - fully documents the New York World's Fairs of 1939-40 and 1964-65, each showing diverse perspectives. Together they form a fascinating cultural and historical mosaic.

The Middleton Family At The World's Fair: A suburban Indiana family visits the World's Fair when their youngest member wins a contest. Although it sports a conventional plot structure, this feature-length film - shot on location in Technicolor by the Westinghouse Company - contains some of the best existing color footage of the 1939 Fair. It also has a cast of Hollywood actors including Marjorie Lord, James Lydon, and Harry Shannon.

Offical Motion Pictures Of The New York World's Fair, 1939: A dazzling compilation of newsreel footage showing the Fair's "World of Tomorrow."

Progress Report: The planning and construction of the 1964-65 Fair in Flushing, New York is chronicled in news footage and filmed interviews.

A Ballad For The Fair: Legendary folk singer Oscar Brand composed a special song to accompany this compendium of exhibits at the '64-65 exhibition.

Color Home Movies: Yet another look at the '64-65 Fair, this one taken privately by an attendee with a 16mm camera. Silent with piano accompaniment.

To The Fair: This sprightly short subject commences with stock footage of excited people coming from all corners of the globe to Flushing for the '64-65 Fair.

• documentary