New York In The Fifties

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: D     Film: B-

 

 

Any documentary that dares to hold the title New York in The Fifties has got nerve, but this one is based on a book of the same name.  However, it should have been called New York Writers Of The Fifties, because that is what it is really about.  This 2001 documentary may not be what the title sets up expectations for, but it is still a pretty good look at a key time in the great city’s cultural history.

 

It happens to be based on a book, but this work seems too short to have captured the entire book had to have offered, no matter how good the result still was.  The film does feel a bit like a run-on, making some of these people seem almost self-centered, but that is more from the editing more than the interviewees.  Just the same, it offers up a look at a golden time for one of the most famous cities of all.

 

The 1.78:1 widescreen feature mixes old film footage with new interview footage shot on video.  Too bad this is not anamorphic, or there would not be a near-poorness throughout. This involves softness where it could have been avoided. The film footage alone would have benefited.  This is one of those presentations where you can tell that some clips meant to be full screen have been compromised a bit, but it is never too much of a problem.

 

The sound is Dolby Digital 2.0, with simple stereo.  Everyone is audible enough in his or her interview talk, but the music is even more in the background than usual.  It is not that it is good or bad, just less noticeable than usual.  The sound is also edited together seamlessly, which helps as well.  The result is better than poor, yet in combination with a similar condition picture quality, typical of documentary presentation.

 

The original theatrical trailer is included, along with an installment of the Metro TV program “Unblinking Eye” that features an interview with director Betsy Blankenbaker, lasting 27:58.  It is a very good look at a feature documentary film debut, showing the ambitions of the filmmaker.

 

The interviewees include Robert Redford, Joan Didion, Nat Hentoff, Gay & Nan Talese, John Gregory Dunne, Calvin Trillin, William F. Buckley, plus offers vintage footage of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Norman Mailer among others.  It is based on the book by Dan Wakefield, with Music by Steve Allee, Camerawork by Bobby Shepard, Dustin Teel & Jeff Watt, Editing by Steve Marra, and Co-Production by Dorka Keehn with Director Betty Blankenbaker.

 

Because of the limitations on the documentaries’ scope, the TV special is a major help to the DVD, yet even by Blankenbaker’s own admission there is more material to be covered. This was her debut effort and it is remarkable she did this well on her first time out.  Her enthusiasm to capture history is absolutely reflected in the resulting work, which will hopefully grow in future works.

 

This leaves a good work on a DVD that could have been great, but simply lacks the extra content to put it in the league of DVDs from Criterion, or the likes of Paragraph 175, or Berkeley In The Sixties for the best of the best.  However, those interested in the subject will not be disappointed, so should seek it out.

 

 

- Nicholas Sheffo