The Golden Years

A Trip to Paramountown

July 1922 •English

Documentary short film depicting the filmmaking activity at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood, featuring dozens of stars captured candidly and at work.

Modernism, Inc.: The Eliot Noyes Design Story

July 2024 •English

The life and work of influential mid-century architect and designer Eliot Noyes, who is best remembered as the man behind IBM's landmark design program in the 1950s and 1960s.

A Solax Celebration

January 1912 •English

The good people of the Solax community realize that they have cause to make merry before the New Year because the Almighty has guided their breadwinning footsteps toward the Solax Studio's happy atmosphere, bank together like the big happy family they are, to give expression to their happiness in the form of a gift to the immediate cause of their good fortune and sunshine.

Design ist niemals unschuldig

April 2021 •German

Immersion in a world of contemporary design in search of more virtuous practices. In Helsinki, German designer Julia Lohmann uses seaweed to create dyed garments; in Amsterdam, Marjan van Aubel creates objects powered by organic photovoltaic cells; in London, the Superflux duo develops futuristic installations to alleviate potential food shortages.

Rams

November 2018 •English

RAMS is a documentary portrait of legendary designer Dieter Rams by filmmaker Gary Hustwit. For over fifty years, Rams has left an indelible mark on the field of product design with his iconic work at Braun and Vitsoe, and his influence on Apple. So at 86 years old, why does he now regret being a designer? RAMS is a design documentary, but it’s also a rumination on consumerism, materialism, and sustainability. Dieter's philosophy is about more than just design, it’s about a way to live. The film also features an original score by pioneering musician Brian Eno.

Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions

December 1966 •English

A short making of feature about the 1966 John Frankenheimer movie Grande Prix

ABBA-dabba-doo

October 1976 •Swedish

This first documentary about the pop group ABBA was made around the time of the release of their fourth album 'Arrival'. It contains unique archive footage filmed at the secret location where they made the record, concert footage, specially made promotional videos, photos from the group members' private collection and interviews in Swedish with each of them: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Stig was also interviewed briefly and was shown playing and singing part of Tivedshambo on acoustic guitar.

Objectified

May 2009 •English

A feature-length documentary about our complex relationship with manufactured objects and, by extension, the people who design them.

The Song of Styrene

December 1957 •French

Le chant du Styrène is a 1958 French documentary film directed by Alain Resnais. The film was an order by French industrial group Pechiney to highlight the merits of plastics.

Naše dovolená

January 1951 •Czech

The Hollywood You Never See

January 1934 •English

The making of Cleopatra (1934), showing pre-production, DeMille directing a scene, and the addition of music to the soundtrack.

Personalities

January 1942 •English

In this "Romance of Celluloid", MGM showcases performers whose careers are just starting. Excerpts from their recently released films are included. The narrator says that moviegoers will have to decide whether these fledgling actors and actresses have that certain quality that made superstars out of MGM players Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Lana Turner.

Our League

November 2022 •English

A community of bowlers outside of Cleveland cope with fundamental change when new owners take over at a landmark alley and a longtime league member comes out as a trans woman.

American Thrift: An Expansive Tribute to the "Woman American"

January 1962 •English

Chevrolet presents this tribute to the American woman and her thrifty ways with money. The film also salutes the individuality of the Amerian citizen and the variety of choices we have in the marketplace.

The Making of a Great Motion Picture

April 1936 •English

Narrated documentary of the making of Anthony Adverse (1936), featuring many clips from the actual film.

The Making of 'The Goodbye Girl'

January 1977 •English

Documentary of the making of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl (1977)

Mawson: Life and Death in Antarctica

May 2008 •English

The Douglas Mawson Antarctic Expedition of 1912 is considered one of the most amazing feats of endurance of all time. Although his two companions perished, Douglas Mawson survived, but how? In a bold historical experiment, scientist and adventurer Tim Jarvis is retracing the gruelling experience, with the same meagre rations, primitive clothing and equipment to uncover what happened to Mawson physically — and mentally — as a man hanging on the precipice of life and death.

Five Towns

January 1947 •English

A look at a family living in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1940's and what it's like working in the pottery factories that Stoke is famous for.

Fashion Horizons

August 1940 •English

Combines airplane trips and fashion. Heavy on the fashion.

Look to Lockheed for Leadership

August 1940 •English

Promotional film about Lockheed aircraft using test pilots and speed records to show how Lockheed was at the forefront of aviation technology during the 1930's and 1940's. Famous pilots including the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lindbergh and Howard Hughes are shown along with the latest aircraft designs such as the P-38 fighter.