Films at the National Archives in March and April
Press Release · Wednesday, February 13, 2002

Washington, DC

In March and April, the National Archives and Records Administration presents film screenings with topics relating to Women's History Month, the Marine Corps, and the 1930s.

The screenings will be held in Room 105 of the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, and in the auditorium at the National Archives at College Park, located at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD. All programs are free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the National Archives at College Park. Since Room 105 in the National Archives Building has limited seating, reservations can be made by calling (202) 501-5050, ext. 296. The times and dates may be verified by calling the National Archives public events line at (201) 501-5000. The hearing impaired should call TDD (202) 501-5404 for information.

Washington, DC Films

March

Friday, March 8 - Women's History Month
Our Inspiration: The Story of Maggie Lena Walker, released in 2000. Armed with courage, perseverance and extraordinary intellect, Maggie Lena Walker overcame the obstacles of race, gender and physical handicap to fulfill her dream of African-American entrepreneurship. Born into poverty, with no college education, Maggie Walker ran a newspaper, started a department store and became the first woman founder and president of a chartered bank in the United States. Produced by the Central Virginia Telecommunications Corporation. (57 minutes.) Noon.

Friday, March 22 - The Marine Corps
The Battle of Midway, released in 1942. Legendary filmmaker John Ford wrote and directed this color documentary (as well as shot most of the footage) produced by the U.S. Navy. Hollywood actors Henry Fonda, Donald Crisp, and Jane Darwell provide voice-over narration. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary. (20 minutes.)

With The Marines at Tarawa, released in 1944. Made with the cooperation of Warner Bros. Pictures, this film produced by the U.S. Navy features exciting combat footage taken by Marine Corps cameramen. (20 minutes.) Noon.

April

Friday, April 12 - The 1930s
Work Pays America, released in 1936. Produced by the Works Projects Administration, Work Pays America is an overview of WPA public works projects. Included are descriptions of construction projects, traffic control studies, medical and childcare, and the work of the Federal Arts projects. (36 minutes.) We Work Again, released in 1937. Also produced by the WPA, focuses on the employment of African-Americans in WPA projects. (16 minutes.) Noon.

Friday, April 19 - The 1930s
Dawn Strikes the Capitol Dome, released in 1936. Produced by the Works Progress Administration, this short film is "an impressionistic study of Washington, DC - the City Superb!" (10 minutes.)

You Can't Get Away With It, released in 1936. Commissioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and produced by Universal Pictures, You Can't Get Away With It shows the facilities and techniques of the FBI and its agent training. Introduced by J. Edgar Hoover, the film includes dramatizations of apprehensions, including that of John Dillinger. Narrated by Lowell Thomas. (30 minutes.) Noon.

Friday, April 26 - The 1930s
Riding the Rails, released in 1998, presents the poignant and little known story of the more than 250,000 teenagers who left home during the Depression in search of a better life. Produced by Lexy Lovell and Michael Uys. From The American Experience series. (60 minutes.) Noon.

National Archives at College Park Films
8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD

Monday, March 11
Our Inspiration: The Story of Maggie Lena Walker (57 minutes.) Noon.

Monday, March 25
The Battle of Midway & With the Marines at Tarawa (40 minutes.) Noon.

Monday, April 15
Work Pays America & We Work Again (52 minutes.) Noon.

Monday, April 22
Dawn Strikes the Capitol Dome & You Can't Get Away With It (40 minutes.) Noon.

Monday, April 29
Riding the Rails (60 minutes.) Noon.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail. Visit the National Archives Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.archives.gov.

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