1964-65 New York World's Fair - Filmed by Gus Martens

[@bowlingdoc1553]

I grew up in nearby Forest Hills, N.Y.. I was 10 years old at the opening of the New York World's Fair in 1964. We went to the World's Fair every weekend when it was opened. The NYWF was literally in our backyard. It was a magical existence. The gate near the Florida Pavilion, accessed by the pedestrian overpass over the Grand Central Parkway and the gate near the Transportation Exhibits, accessed by the pedestrian overpass over the close-by Long Island Expressway were the 2 fairground portals which were a 20 minute walk from my (parent's) house. I remember The Brass Rails (food kiosks demarcated by a tent roof that resembled a cluster of large white weather balloons). I remember visitors eating Belgian waffle while walking to their next destination (most likely a queue to some popular pavilion). I remember the iconic colorful geometric street lamps. I remember the light green fiberglass slab futuristic park benches. I still have my souvenir injection molded green brontosaurus from Sinclair Dinoland, official guide book and guide map. I live in Connecticut now. On occasion, I go for a nostalgia stroll through Flushing Meadow Park, site of the NYWF. I try to recall which pavilion or exhibit occupied various locations along the stroll...............................50 years ago, at the New York World's Fair. Thank you Robert, for posting this great archival work and kudos to grandfather Gus Martens for his dedication, love, and excellent videography.

[@RobFuz]

Bowling Doc that’s awesome ! So cool u still have the Dino

[@karenstrycharz1499]

How cool that you return to the site of the World’s Fair & try to recall which building or pavilion was located where! I have wanted to return for yrs & yrs( we live in south western Massachusetts) but I have never returned to the site, although I have gone to New York City, many, many times! Great memories of that that wonderful fair & my grandmother who took me for the day!

[@birdmann128]

I grew up in flushing and spent many days bbq-ing with family long after the fair in the 90s. I bought an old map of the fair and plan on taking my son on a bike trip to the park. He wants too see where Disney had their attractions.

[@jancatperson8329]

This is fantastic! I was 10 years old when my family went just a month before your trip, and 9 when we went in the summer of 1964. These are some of the best memories of my childhood. Wish I had a time machine so I could go back again.

[@64valiantsteed]

I could watch videos like this for hours! I was born a couple years after this. It reminds me of what people were like back in the late 60's early 70's - Folks had class and style, kids were better behaved and the buildings were bold yet gracefully designed, with the future in mind. Loved at 6:20 the Chrysler sign spinning and then noticed it was an Air Cleaner on top of an enormous engine. The displays are a grand. Your family looked great & this was one spectacular journey into the past.

[@aqua600]

No need for the apology, robertwmartens. The only people who are critical of The Fair are "Monday Morning Quarterback" social commentators who over-analyze The Fair from a 40 year later viewpoint. I went to The Fair twice as a 9-10 year old, and I LOVED it!. I am 54 now, and I still consider the 64-65 NYWF to be one of the seminal experiences of my childhood. Thanks for posting.

[@robertwmartens]

The building you're referring is currently known as The Queens Museum. During the 1964-65 fair it was the New York City Pavilion. The building was constructed for the 1939-40 World's Fair, and for a short while after World War Two it housed the United Nations while the permanent headquarters were under construction in Manhattan. The ice rink there closed down a while ago and the space it occupied is now used by the Museum. Quite a bit of history in that building!

[@wrnewcott]

Your grandfather really knew how to use a camera. He held it still and let stuff come into the frame, and held his shots long enough for you understand where you were. Also, nice job editing it all together!

[@gryphonshire]

As a 16yr old living in rural Missouri in '64, I could only dream of visiting a World's Fair. Thanks for sharing this well-made video so I could see what I missed....

[@sergenerli976]

I had just turned 9 a month before the World's Fair opened. One day when I arrived home from school, my dad told my sister and I to change, we were going to the World's Fair. On top of not having to do homework, we had such a great time. I have vivid memories of the Ford and GM pavilions, the Sinclair dinosaur, the US Royal Tire ferris wheel, just to name a few. That night we road the Monorail and watched the fireworks.

[@rayrobin05]

I was 8 yrs old, Dad took us kids twice. I now have hundreds of items from fair, huge collection. Lots of Peter and Wendy stuff too. . . This video is now my favorite of the fair. The boys could be my brother and me. Beautiful film and music. Thanks

[@radioflyer52]

very nice. Oh yes. I was in 6/7 grade during the fair and loved it. It was the first time I had seen lights in trees and not be Xmas. A few years ago, a guy brought to the office the official guide book. Oh gosh. We used to have like 4 of those around the house all the time for planning our next trip to the fair. We have a Belgium waffle maker in the cabinet here today because of the fair. Very good quality video as well. good job.

[@guitarrick57]

I was there in 1964, thanks for the memories......

[@blaws6684]

Thanks for that. Good memories. My brother and I were about the same age when my mother Margaret took us to the fair in June. She put me in charge of the guide book and said take care of this. Without it we can get lost. That was the first time I actually used maps. It still sits in my desk right next to another essential guide book.

[@larciabella]

Great !!!! Brings me back to an AMAZING time of my life as a 6 year old.I remember like it was yesterday.Love the music too.Thanx jamie from NYC. I just went back to Flushing meadow @ two weeks ago.Got some great photos.And to relive those priceless moments!

[@johnhiram1207]

I went in 1964 at age 19. I had an awesome time. When nighttime came the Fair really changed and became one huge party. Anyone 18 could drink.

[@konmun]

Grandpa Gus's footage of the fair is the best yet. Thanks!

[@delta747flyer]

Robert- thanks for sharing- I was about 7 yrs old and these beautiful scenes bring the fond memories back.....we went on the spur of the moment & had no idea of what to expect. Now, passing an empty Flushing Meadows park, those memories had faded until now. :)

[@barbaraburke4549]

Flawless editing job, my compliments--it was a mega project which I thoroughly enjoyed! Anyone who attended this World's Fair (as we did) would certainly love watching this video. Those who did not, can now appreciate what they missed. Thank you for sharing this with all of us!

[@vaituluschirmer6837]

I dance at the Polynesian pavilion in 1965 I wish there was a footage of the pavilion I enjoy watching this brings back so many memories, thank you for sharing.

[@emmarose4234]

🥰

[@larciabella]

Great !!!! Brings me back to an AMAZING time of my life as a 6 year old.I remember like it was yesterday.Love the music too.Thanx jamie from NYC. I just went back to Flushing meadow @ two weeks ago.Got some great photos.And to relive those priceless moments! I rem alot of fountains and lights at night.

[@emmarose4234]

My late father (who was from Suffolk County) went to the 1964 New York World’s Fair! He liked to talk to me about it.

[@gammaw2349]

I lived in Rockaway Beach. I remember going to the World's Fair when I was about 5 years old. Loved it!

[@cecemitrani14]

What a great trip down memory lane. I was nine in 1964 and I can still close my eyes and remember the wonder that was the NY World's Fair. I have such fond memories and seeing these movies just brings it all back. Thank you so much for these memories.

[@designsonyouinparis]

This is one of the best World's Fair video I have ever seen! Brings back such wonderful memories! Thank you!

[@hiramjim]

Great stuff! We lived in westchester and visited the fair many times in '64 & '65. But I was very young (4 or 5 years old). Many of your scenes triggered very latent memories! Thanks!!

[@drspaseebo410]

I loved the 64/65 World's Fair, took 8mm movie of many attractions, terrific memories. The world needs another ! /

[@simon5005]

I was 10-years old when I went in 1965, and it's so surreal to see these videos now!

[@lesliedamato6259]

Thank You so much for that! What fun we had back then. I went back there in the 70's and 80's several times to see the remnants of the fair and wished it could happen again. Seeing some of the "parts" at Epcot in Disney was a trip!

[@mmjhcb]

It was fabulous for any age! So was NYC -- then.

[@IsItModern]

Incredible footage. You could sell this to an archives for future documentaries. I always wanted to see the Futurama ride. Truly a once in a lifetime experience that must have been.

[@8avexp]

That Swiss Sky Ride brings back memories. We rode on it during our visit to the Fair on July 20, 1965.

[@jonalcibar]

The Nino Rota´s score suits the images perfectly. It sure resembeled the US Dolce Vita of the 60s

[@UncleBarryDean]

Your grandfather had a good eye. Enjoyed this immensely. My Dad took some Regular 8 and the visuals are very limited. I remember being thrilled seeing GE's Carousel of Progress, Honest Abe at the Illinois pavilion, Small World, the hokey Hall of Science, and since my Dad worked for AT&T/Long Lines, we got to go to the front of the line at the Bell System exhibit. Talking on video phones!! Still have the official guide book to remind me. Thanks for the images. Now I feel all nostalgic.

[@ricomejias4874]

God Bless you, Robert, Grandpa Gus and all those who enjoyed the 60's...and had absolutely no idea that the varying public would one day be learning, sharing and commenting on a digital platform about an analog yesteryear. Were it not for you, et al, those amazing tales heard of but never seen by the unfortunate are now Exhibit A, B and C...!! Happy Mother's Day to the Martens Ladies. Peace...5.11.14.

[@abbyfarber]

This is wonderful - and reinforces the fond memories I have of the Fair. Wonderful footage, and lovely music. Thank you so much!

[@mase4t4]

WOW! Fantastic quality, well filmed, great editing. I was 12 in 64 and went to to the fair a few times. That made me feel as if I could go back there tomorrow, it was so fresh. Really enjoyed it. thanks

[@robertwmartens]

@mediamadman747 I did manage to see the french president Charles De Gaulle riding in his limousine at Expo 67 in Montreal, but nobody took a shot at him, and my dad wasn't filming at the time anyway!

[@kirkreyes3368]

Incredible vistas of the fair! Very rarely seen exhibits, including the Flying Men of Papantla.

[@jszabo1000]

What a time to be alive.............growing up in Astoria queens.

[@TheCrossroads533]

Like the use of Nino Rota's "Amacord" (Remember) theme along with other pieces. Ah, so many fond memories of multiple visits to the New York World's Fair both in '64 and '65. What captured my imagination most was the G.M. Futurama pavilion along with the G.M. Bison concept turbine truck of the future. Next, was the rocket park with the Saturn 5 lower stage and Apollo Lunar Excursion Module mockup. The populuxe architecture of the fair was like stepping into the future for a few hours. (Honestly, the closest thing to it in recent years have been visits to Disney's EPCOT in Florida.) In New York, only a few structures remain now, some still in use others not. It's a crime how the City of New York let the iconic New York State pavilion crumble away. City officials throw money down the drain on a host of endless entitlements but then can't seem to locate the funds to save just a few works of classic mid-century art.

[@Bogframe]

I went to the fair often when I was three and four. Your grandfather shot some of the best footage I've seen, professional or amateur!

[@charlesschoonover5655]

Thanks for posting this! My Dad made home movies with titles just like your Grandpa. We lived in NYC and went on the blue subway many times. Thanks for the memories;

[@fayeteville]

the last song of the video was played at the pepsi cola pavillion at the worlds fair-its still in disneyworld-- i didnt have a chance to be at the fair- i was only 5 yrs old- i remember my parents talking to me aboutthe fair. i believe it was a wonderful fair by thet time(1965) .I think its been one of the most famous world´s fairs of all times-

[@marcoshark]

Thank you Robert!!!! For some of us, back then this was the way the future should have been!

[@kat4pack]

Thanks for sharing! Great Job! I don't have many memories except from a few slides we have. I remember liking GE's Progressland and my VIP nametag, which I thought was cool as a 10 year old.

[@fdepoalo]

I remember so much of this - hard to believe it's coming up on 50 years soon. Thanks for sharing!

[@10472bxgirl]

Thanks so much for the memories!!! My family was fortunate enough to travel from the BX to The World's Fair several times. I still have great vivid memories of these trips! Thanks again!

[@BoyScout1960]

Dang, I went to the Fair! We went to the GM Pavilion, Disney, the Science Exhibit, GE, Johnson&Johnson, and to the German village, where I wolfed down sausages, sauerkraut and root beer. I still remember that stupid "Subway Special" song, too!

[@fisherman777]

my compliments. I went there when I was 15 years old. Thank you so much for these memories.

[@powertube5671]

@robertwmartens Thanks! And, nice job! I visited the Worlds Fair in both '64 & '65. I took only four minutes of film with a Bell & Howell 16mm camera! I also took some Anscochrome slides, that I developed myself in the bathroom sink. The color was a bit blue cast, but, the fact that it wasn't Kodachrome allowed me to scan them in my slide scanner 40 years later and adjust the color and retouch the photos in Photoshop.

[@hungboar]

Tremendous film! It brought back great memories that I was able to share with my 20 year old daughter! Thank you!!!

[@jameshagerstrom]

Thank you for posting. This brings back memories of when I was a kid. The fair left a big impression on me. I visited Flushing Meadows in 2009 and 2010. It was nice to see what was left. The N.Y. State Pavilion seems kind of forlorn and abandoned.

[@RedOcktober]

THANKS SO MUCH for the trip back in time... to a world in which a 13 years old kid reveled in the promise of a bright future... surely this counts amongst the best of times... --Mike

[@joanbrandmeier]

I have been converting 8mm to dvd (am on my third and final one) I have a great guy that transfers digitally - but I am always at a loss at the task of coming up with the soundtrack... I searched and found yours today! Thank you! I have a lot of the same movies of the World's Fair and couldn't think of anything appropriate to put behind it!!!

[@stageactor1958]

This is wonderful and beautifully done! A fantastic memory for you, I am sure...and now for us! Thank you!

[@wolfgang3076]

Good memories! Those silly felt hats with the long feathers, and, of course, Belgium waffles. Having visited both years , there was only a few new attractions in 1965 that weren't there in 1964. I remember the Bell Telephone pavilion was the BEST place to be in the hot summer because the queue line wrapped all around under the the huge base, so you were cooler compared to waiting in lines elsewhere.

[@sienaclarke4456]

I live 5 minutes from there. I'm a 90s kid and it really sucks that kids my age weren't able to experience events like these. But its still amazing that I live in the greatest city in the world (New York of course!) Queens represent!!

[@Lester2955]

Thank you for sharing this. Was 10 when this was going on and brought back amazing memories.

[@vdc4431]

Watching this again. It makes me sigh.

[@Cat1980bird]

Thanks for the memories! The music helped to bring back the feel of those days.

[@LuisGarcia-rh3qo]

Geat memories for the Matens and for the world, the movie is a valuable document.

[@AJMeTube]

As someone who was also 9 years at the fair, I agree. It was a Fabulous! It was a different time. Thank you for sharing. Not quite the professional touch as your grandfather, I also uploaded my Dad's video of our visit at 1964 - New York Worlds Fair

[@MrMelgibstein]

Awesome family,awesome video.Thanks for sharing.

[@Janadu]

I remember Small World, the Ford ride and the merry-go-round. It was a wonderful time.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Your Grandfather was quite the cinematographer! Music almost perfect. I was 7 when I 1st went to NYWF. Thanks for the memories!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bogframe]

This is some of the best Fair footage I have ever seen! Your Grandfather was a great man!

[@robertwmartens]

@fayeteville I took the film to a reputable film and video service called Duggal Visual Solutions in New York City. They transfered the 8mm film to a mini-DV tape from which I downloaded the footage to my computer.

[@robertwmartens]

Thank you. I considered many different soundtracks (classical, pop, jazz, film scores) before deciding on this one, and the search was as much fun as the making of the video itself. Good luck with your films - - if you put any of them online, please let me know.

[@josnaz1]

Wonderful, Robert. Thank you.

[@robertwmartens]

@dieselducy If only they had them back then! Grandpa considered his 8mm movie camera to be compact because it was smaller than a breadbox!

[@karenstrycharz1499]

What an amazing video Robert & your grandfather did an incredible job! I so loved seeing this and reliving special moments & memories from this favorite fair that will be remembered forever! Thank-you for posting your video that your grandfather did that brings back such happy memories for so many of us!♥️

[@gothamguy08]

Nice job. I spent a day at the '64 World's Fair with my 6th grade class. I distinctly remember typing a postcard to my Dad on one of those new-fangled IBM Selectric Typewriters -- the ones with the stationary ball and no return carriage. While most of the Fairground was allowed to deteriorate, I'm glad that just this week the Unisphere fountain was restored and reopened after nearly $2 million in improvements.

[@gotham61]

Wow, those two kids might as well be my brother and I at the same fair. I would have been 3 and my brother 8 and we have a sister who would have been 5. We lived in nearby Fresh Meadows and went several times, although I was too young to remember anything these days.

[@Lester2955]

Wish so much it was still operating. Thanks for the memories.

[@Ricksonkimura]

So this is what Flushing Meadows looked like before I was born. This is awesome footage.

[@nickcardone7119]

God bless , brought back wonderful childhood memories, tyvm

[@ahhraspberries]

World's fair....great memory..I worked for greyhound posthouse..which was a restaurant...across from the gm building.

[@jessejames586]

Pretty cool. I took a bus to the fair with my dad when I was 10 from Westfield, MA. I remember the frisbee being introduced at the fair.

[@TexMex421]

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[@RedOcktober]

yes... this was truly the best of times... thx for the memories Robert... --Mike

[@AI4QT]

I really enjoyed your video. What a great way to remember this great fair! Best regards.

[@lynnmckenna9934]

That was awesome!!!!!

[@christinaarcher3341]

I went there when I was 9 years old. I remember Sinclair dinoland particularly.

[@BrooklynJoe]

Priceless! I enjoyed it very much, I have such fond memories of the fair. Thanks!

[@YTM021807]

Fantastic memories. Thanks! Wow!

[@robertwmartens]

@UncleBarryDean Thank you! Grandpa used 8mm Kodachrome film. It does look good, but it's still not up to the sharpness and detail of the 16mm movies he made earlier. I've put many of those on my channel too, so please have a look (especially his film of the 1939/40 Fair!)

[@sjtom57]

Outstanding video. So many memories.

[@Offmedication]

The opening music from Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita" A favorite of mine.

[@zac613]

Oh how i love seeing the GE Progressland (Carousel of Progress) at 3:32 and 9:22 due to not alot of videos of the 1964 GE Progressland. Do you remember anything about Progressland Robert W. Martens?

[@vdc4431]

What a wonderful video!!!

[@michaela.chmieloski3196]

Attending the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair was an EVENT for which the overwhelming majority of people--both adult and child alike--dressed smartly. A contemporary visit to Disney World is a...what?...for which the overwhelming majority of people barely get dressed. My, how times have changed.

[@ulovetashi]

When I was younger I would always go to that ice skating rink. Corona and Flushing meadow park has so much history. My grandmother moved to corona in 1949 when it was mainly italians there. She also has a rent controlled 3 bedroom apartment with an eat in kitchen and dining room and pantry room for $191 a month and Corona has changed a lot, I wish these greedy developers would stop building these cheap apartments and restore the older homes :(

[@fayeteville]

i remember that music at the " its a woonderful world attraction in disneyland"-- great video- very clear and proffesional-- thanks very much - how did u get that clear and sharp images? great work

[@Scorpionbrnu]

I have a Disney souvenir record from the 1964 Worlds fair. Its about Abe Lincoln. cool stuff.

[@TimAlcoser]

Really cool to see It's a Small World from the World's Fair. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see Carousel of Progress tho.

[@miguelor4469]

LOVED IT, THANK YOU FOR SHARING ;)

[@UncleBarryDean]

Was this shot in 16mm? It certainly looks it. Again, bravo and the music's great, too.

[@robertwmartens]

Yes, you certainly may! Share as many as you'd like, thank you.

[@robertwmartens]

@powertube5671 Should you put the pics and the film on KZbin, please let me know!

[@rcacase]

thanks for sharing

[@OsbornTramain]

Great Family film!!!!! I was there about the same time almost 6 years old.....got to go twice.......