The Great American Broadcast
The Great American Broadcast

The Great American Broadcast

1941Movie90 minEnglish

After WWI two men go into radio. Failure leads the wife of one to borrow money from another; she goes on, after separation, to stardom. A coast-to-coast radio program is set up to bring everyone back together.

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Insights

Director: Gale SondergaardGenres: Documentary, Short

Plot Summary

This short documentary presents a look at radio broadcasting during its golden age. It highlights the technology and impact of radio in delivering news, entertainment, and propaganda to American households across the nation. The film showcases the behind-the-scenes workings of a typical radio station and the various programs that captivated audiences.

Critical Reception

As a short propaganda film produced during wartime, critical reception was largely tied to its intended message and effectiveness in conveying it. Contemporary reviews often focused on its ability to inform and rally public support for the war effort. Modern analysis tends to view it as a historical artifact offering insight into early broadcast media and its role in shaping public opinion.

What Reviewers Say

  • Effectively demonstrates the power and reach of radio in the 1940s.
  • Serves as a valuable historical snapshot of broadcast technology and its societal influence.
  • Propaganda element is noticeable, reflecting the era's context.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this historical short film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was produced by the U.S. Office of War Information (OWI), underscoring its role as a tool for wartime communication and public engagement.

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