...one third of a nation...
(1939)
75-76 mins | Drama | 24 February 1939
Cast:
Sylvia Sidney, Leif Erikson , Myron McCormick [ More ]Director:
Dudley MurphyWriters:
Oliver H. P. Garrett, Dudley MurphyProducer:
Harold OrlobCinematographer:
William MillerEditor:
Duncan MansfieldProduction Designer:
Walter KellerProduction Company:
Paramount Pictures, Inc.According to the onscreen credits, Leif Erikson appeared in the film "courtesy of Group Theatre." The stage version of ...one third of a nation... was produced in New York by the Federal Theatre Project of the Works Progress Administration, and was the first W.P.A. play to be sold to the film industry. The film marked Broadway producer Harold Orlob's first independent film production and Sidney Lumet's first and only screen appearance as a featured actor. In reference to his brief experience as a film actor, Lumet, who was fifteen years old at the time of production, is quoted in a 1974 NYT article as saying, "I hated acting in movies, and I've understood all about actors ever since....I knew that I could never be a really good actor." The title of film is taken from a line in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's second inaugural address: "...I see one third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished..." According to a HR pre-production news item, proceeds from the sale of the film rights were earmarked for the Federal Writers Committee, a branch of the W.P.A. that sponsored writers who wrote about Americana and American culture and heritage. A Nov 1938 HR article notes that the release of the film, originally set for 23 Dec 1938, was delayed as a result of the studio's anticipated rejection of the film by censors. The article states that Paramount's home office decided to reshoot portions of the film that were deemed "propaganda situations" after viewing it and deciding that the picture was "too hot to handle in its present form." An ...
According to the onscreen credits, Leif Erikson appeared in the film "courtesy of Group Theatre." The stage version of ...one third of a nation... was produced in New York by the Federal Theatre Project of the Works Progress Administration, and was the first W.P.A. play to be sold to the film industry. The film marked Broadway producer Harold Orlob's first independent film production and Sidney Lumet's first and only screen appearance as a featured actor. In reference to his brief experience as a film actor, Lumet, who was fifteen years old at the time of production, is quoted in a 1974 NYT article as saying, "I hated acting in movies, and I've understood all about actors ever since....I knew that I could never be a really good actor." The title of film is taken from a line in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's second inaugural address: "...I see one third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished..." According to a HR pre-production news item, proceeds from the sale of the film rights were earmarked for the Federal Writers Committee, a branch of the W.P.A. that sponsored writers who wrote about Americana and American culture and heritage. A Nov 1938 HR article notes that the release of the film, originally set for 23 Dec 1938, was delayed as a result of the studio's anticipated rejection of the film by censors. The article states that Paramount's home office decided to reshoot portions of the film that were deemed "propaganda situations" after viewing it and deciding that the picture was "too hot to handle in its present form." An LAEx pre-production news item stated that Sylvia Sidney's fiancé, Luther Adler, was originally set as her co-star.
During a fire in a tenement in the Bowery section of New York, Joey Rogers attempts to escape from the building using a fire escape ladder; when the ladder breaks, however, Joey falls and receives severe injuries. Peter Cortlant helps Joey's sister Mary take him to the hospital, where he agrees with her that the owner of the building should be held for negligence, and offers to pay for Joey's hospital bills. Peter later finds out that he owns the block of tenements that were on fire, and his business manager, Arthur Mather, advises him that the district attorney will be investigating the case. Against Arthur's advice and his sister Ethel's scorn, Peter attends the district attorney's investigation, where Mary finds out his true identity. During the investigation it is revealed that this "old-law" tenement, along with 67,000 others in New York City, were built before 1901 and are therefore excluded from any new safety construction laws. As there were no complaints made about the building, which is falling to pieces, the district attorney rules that there were no violations. Mary is horrified to learn the identity of Joey's benefactor, especially when he appears so ignorant of the condition of his buildings. When Peter visits the tenement and attempts to kick prostitute Myrtle out, Sam Noon, who is in love with Mary, comes to her aid and advises Peter to stay away from Mary. Mary takes Joey out of the hospital, but he is crippled for life and refuses to go inside the tenement. Fantasizing that the building talks to him and tells him that it has always housed squalor and misery, Joey vows ...
During a fire in a tenement in the Bowery section of New York, Joey Rogers attempts to escape from the building using a fire escape ladder; when the ladder breaks, however, Joey falls and receives severe injuries. Peter Cortlant helps Joey's sister Mary take him to the hospital, where he agrees with her that the owner of the building should be held for negligence, and offers to pay for Joey's hospital bills. Peter later finds out that he owns the block of tenements that were on fire, and his business manager, Arthur Mather, advises him that the district attorney will be investigating the case. Against Arthur's advice and his sister Ethel's scorn, Peter attends the district attorney's investigation, where Mary finds out his true identity. During the investigation it is revealed that this "old-law" tenement, along with 67,000 others in New York City, were built before 1901 and are therefore excluded from any new safety construction laws. As there were no complaints made about the building, which is falling to pieces, the district attorney rules that there were no violations. Mary is horrified to learn the identity of Joey's benefactor, especially when he appears so ignorant of the condition of his buildings. When Peter visits the tenement and attempts to kick prostitute Myrtle out, Sam Noon, who is in love with Mary, comes to her aid and advises Peter to stay away from Mary. Mary takes Joey out of the hospital, but he is crippled for life and refuses to go inside the tenement. Fantasizing that the building talks to him and tells him that it has always housed squalor and misery, Joey vows revenge. Mary, meanwhile, finds her way to Peter's mansion and offers to repay him for the hospital bills, but he rejects the offer. After Peter describes how his ancestors ruthlessly acquired, Mary encourages him to find a way to fix the tenements by selling the mortgage to the city and supervising their reconstruction. Ethel vows to take Peter to court and expose his relationship with Mary as a sordid one. Afraid that Mary will be hurt, Peter discards his plan, but when he invites Mary to dinner and tells her how his sister has stopped him, she leaves angrily. Later, Joey sets fire to the building and dies with it. Sam promises Peter he will marry Mary the next day to save her from scandal if Peter then promises to rebuild, and Peter agrees. Peter supervises the destruction and rebuilding of the tenements.
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