The March of Time

The March of Time. It was a pioneering and influential newsreel series and radio program that presented dramatized, in-depth reports on current events and global affairs. Conceived by the founders of Time magazine, it blended journalism with cinematic storytelling to create a powerful narrative of contemporary history. The series was renowned for its authoritative narration and ambitious reconstructions of news events, shaping public perception during a tumultuous era spanning the Great Depression, World War II, and the early Cold War.

History and development

The program originated on CBS Radio in 1931, produced by the publishing empire of Time Inc., founded by Henry Luce and Briton Hadden. Its innovative format was developed by Louis de Rochemont, who later produced the film version. Seeking to expand the brand's reach, Time Inc. partnered with the film studio 20th Century Fox to launch the theatrical newsreel in 1935, released monthly in cinemas nationwide. The radio and film versions ran concurrently, often covering similar themes, with the film edition benefiting from Louis de Rochemont's location filming and elaborate re-enactments. Production continued through World War II, where it served as a vital tool for Allied propaganda and information, before concluding in 1951, influenced by the rise of television news and changing audience tastes.

Format and content

Each episode followed a magazine-style format, typically focusing on three or four major stories per installment. The content was anchored by the distinctive, booming narration of Westbrook Van Voorhis, whose voice became synonymous with the series. Stories combined actual newsreel footage with meticulously staged dramatizations, using actors to recreate scenes when genuine footage was unavailable, such as inside the Kremlin or secret meetings of the Axis powers. Subjects ranged from political profiles of figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill to examinations of social issues, military conflicts like the Battle of Britain, and technological advancements. This hybrid approach aimed to provide context and narrative drive beyond standard news bulletins from agencies like Associated Press.

Cultural impact and legacy

The series had a profound impact on American culture and the media landscape, reaching an estimated audience of 20 million people per month at its peak. It demonstrated the power of audiovisual journalism to inform and persuade, directly influencing later documentary formats and news programming. Its techniques were studied by filmmakers like Frank Capra for his Why We Fight series and paved the way for CBS Reports and 60 Minutes. The phrase "Time marches on!", from its narration, entered the popular lexicon. Furthermore, its ambitious global reporting set a precedent for the documentary film as a major form of mass communication, bridging the gap between theatrical entertainment and journalistic inquiry during critical decades.

Critical reception

Reception was mixed; the series was widely praised for its educational value and gripping storytelling, winning several Academy Awards for documentary short subjects. However, it also faced significant criticism for its editorial stance and methods. Critics, including some within Columbia University's journalism school, accused it of blurring the lines between fact and fiction through its dramatizations and of promoting the interventionist, internationalist worldview of Henry Luce and Time Inc.. Its portrayal of complex events like the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Joseph Stalin was often seen as oversimplified or biased. Despite this, its technical innovation and narrative power were rarely disputed.

Notable episodes and subjects

The series covered a vast array of topics across its run. Notable film editions included "Inside Nazi Germany" (1938), a critical look at the regime of Adolf Hitler; "The Ramparts We Watch" (1940), a call for American preparedness; and "Youth in Crisis" (1943), examining wartime juvenile delinquency. It produced profiles on influential individuals such as Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, and J. Edgar Hoover. Significant events dramatized included the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the D-Day landings in Normandy, and the proceedings of the United Nations Conference on International Organization. These episodes served as primary historical documents and powerful cinematic experiences for contemporary audiences.

Category:American documentary television series Category:American radio news programs Category:1930s American television series Category:1940s American television series Category:Time Inc.