One Third of a Nation (1939) SYLVIA SIDNEY

[@Grateful1118]

i love sylvia sidney... great actress... those eyes

[@leannbridwell1853]

Love 30’s films thank you 🙏

[@DonatoDamiano-r2g]

Enjoyed this very much......"thank you!!". Sylvia Sidney is one of my favorite ladies of the silver screen. Wish there were more of her films on YT; 'Mary Burns, Fugitive', 'Fury', and that ol' standby, 'Trail of the Lonesome Pine.' Great film classics all! 🎥😊

[@miasalazar1980]

I wasn't expecting such a gritty and realistic movie but it was very well made and acted. I rate this a golden 10. Wowza, what a movie.

[@leonorebaulch6251]

Great film! Very timely! Thank for a thoughtful and honest story....

[@jjbloyber]

Thank you for posting. My father’s harmonica band (first place on Major Bowes) had an uncredited musical cameo in this film @ 1:00:18

[@debbielondon1809]

Loved it. A disgrace that it was uncredited. Talent taken for granted.

[@dr.skipkazarian5556]

A typical allegorical film (for the historical time) regarding societal values and inequities. More important, to me at least (and in my own opinion), a significant statement regarding the importance of individuals taking personal responsibility for their actions....especially those individuals.....corporate or otherwise...who willfully, knowingly, and with malice aforethought fraudulently abuse the system and the laws for their own personal aggrandizement...in a word....contemporary subjects under current indictments for fraud and other high crimes. Thank you for archiving and presenting this fine film.

[@coolroy4300]

I'm here for opinions on movie not long drawn out speeches 😂😂😂 focus man

[@Macias8200]

Thank you for uploading; I really enjoyed it!

[@leezeidel3630]

Great movie as were many of the movies of that period love Sylvia Sydney 👍

[@mikenixon2401]

Great find, Pizza. My parents were that age during the Depression. Each had their respective stories (dad from the rural dust bowl and mom from the big city). I learned more over the years with my own research. The extremes between haves and have nots seem to be accurately expressed. Done so in an era when most films were understandable escapism. (Example Wizzard of Oz released the same year)

[@melvina628]

Great film. I've never seen Sylvia Sidney so young before. Thank you.

[@keithharvey7230]

You must have seen her in Sabotage!

[@scotishcovenanters]

I love the old movies because people acted like adults. The craft was much more sophisticated back then.

[@MileyonDisney]

I love Sylvia Sidney. Thanks!

[@PizzaFLIX]

Thanks for watching! May the Sauce be with you.

[@lilasmurray2425]

I loved her blowing smoke out of hole in her neck in Beetle Juice. What a sense of humor.

[@1234pouvez]

It was Sidney Lumet 14 years old at the time, that brought me to this gem.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Thanks for watching PizzaFLIX. May the Sauce be with you. 🍕🍕🍕

[@riffraff8020]

GREAT MOVIE, THANX

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

THANK YOU EXCELLENT MOVIE ENJOYED WATCHING LEIF ERICKSON SO YOUNG

[@patrooney2283]

Oh Pizza, you are the best!!!!! Great movie!! 🙏😚💕💕💕💕💕

[@manuelmaldonadojr2526]

thanks very much for the old movie.

[@TheViewmaster1971]

Thanks for another great movie!

[@1LSWilliam]

This film is agonizingly accurate about the socio-economic conditions. For the period, amazing.

[@gardengnome3249]

Personally I think for the period as you say is an under statement. It is still going on today.

[@selfhealherbs13ms]

Still going on today' but with laws intact and slumlords not following the rules. Same old same old

[@djchiesa3567]

For the period yes I agree but now we have lazy worthless welfare suckers who demand the ritz while refusing to work. With mixed feelings watching this given the lazy people today who want all free stuff and refuse to work for it.

[@MrStan-kb8kr]

@@djchiesa3567 21st century and as you say,,, still going on... No end in sight 🤢

[@mrsteveinsandiego]

similarities today, of course. landlords AND tenants who refuse to keep stuff up to snuff.

[@katiezee2]

some trivia - Sylvia Sidney was in the first season of WKRP in 1978, as Arthur's mother & owner of the radio station.

[@JMarieCAlove]

Oh yeah, I remember her on WKRP in Cinncinatti! I think she always wore a fur coat too, she was pretty funny on that show!

[@NYC1927]

She was also in "Beetle Juice".

[@DEKHEAD100]

Actually just in the pilot episode. Carol Bruce took the role for series run.

[@aadamtx]

Wow, definitely a Group Theatre influenced project. Sylvia Sidney had already made a name for herself in another Bronx waterfront film - DEAD END - with the gang that became the Dead End Kids (Billy Halop and company). What a career - from social dramas all the way through BEETLEJUICE (helping the newly dead acclimate) and MARS ATTACKS! (as the grandmother in the wheelchair). But the big surprise is that the boy Joey is played by Sidney Lumet, the future director of DOG DAY AFTERNOON, NETWORK, and THE VERDICT, among other films.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Thanks for watching! May the Sauce be with you.

[@NYC1927]

You need to see "Street Scene" (1931). That was one of her best roles.

[@paulyricca3881]

👱🏻‍♂️HE ALSO DIRECTED ASTAR.

[@paulyricca3881]

@@NYC1927👨🏻‍🦰OKAY STUPID

[@paulyricca3881]

@@PizzaFLIX👳🏻‍♂️IM A VEGAN , LARDO

[@martinepstein3332]

Thanks so much for the upload

[@michaelbirt6972]

A slight;ly soppy ending, but Sidney Lumet who played Joey became a film director with signiicant work including 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Murder on the Orient Express, Equus and Long Days Journey Into Night. .

[@1LSWilliam]

ONE THIRD OF OUR NATION is still committed to the promise of our Founders and their legacy. It is enough.

[@roystrickland3363]

Breathtaking! Sure it creaks in spots. But its depiction of Depression-era New York--from slums to East River yachts--is riveting! And the "talks" between the boy and his tenement house make architecture come alive.

[@laurakibben4147]

Proof that we ARE NOT all created equal and absolutely DO NOT all have the same abilities to better ourselves sometimes even with some assistance which unless structured just right, is truly only a feel sorry for you handout.

[@kell4674]

Another one of those many hidden gems that you've made available to us. In all my viewings of films from the golden era, I've never seen this come up on TV or TCM or in arthouse cinemas. Not hard to see why. To paraphrase Sylvia Sidney's comment in the movie (9:14): It's sort of left, if you know what I mean. In these post-Grenfell days, it's both sad and infuriating to see that nothing has changed. One minor gripe - the film relies too much on the old capitalist trope that the fate of the poor can only be improved via the benevolence of the rich, instead of portraying the poor mounting their own campaign for better housing. Had the filmmakers done so, they most likely would have ended up on the Hollywood blacklist. Oh, well. I'll get off my soapbox now. Lovely film, Pizza. A bit clunky and flawed in places, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@gmonsen]

It is a very well done seldom seen gem. I find it interesting how 2 sides can so differently characterize the same thing. I tend to think of it as the generosity of the wealthy rather than their benevolence.

[@johnmoran1317]

Kell-Did you ever see "fury",also with Sylvia Sydney[co-starring Spencer Tracey].?. It is very dramatic,concerned with an important social issue.

[@deezynar]

What outcome do you picture from poor people mounting their own campaign? They would end up with building codes that would require the buildings they could afford to live in be torn down, and replaced with new ones that they would not be able to afford. The result is the same either way. But there is another factor that would be involved, and that's the government who would require the unsafe buildings to be torn down because they are hazardous to the rest of the community. That's 3 different forces that could/would act, and the result would always end up with the poor people on the streets.

[@kell4674]

@@deezynar Yeah. Understand. Over the last hundred years, many people living in unsafe, debilitating accommodation have had their buildings torn down and they ended up, not so much homeless, but having no choice but to live in soulless project housing that brings its own share of social problems. Even then, it has no guarantee of safety, as Grenfell taught us (but not the politicians). My point was to stress that some of those poor people did organize and save their buildings and communities and made their communities better places to live. Just a few successes make it worth the while. But the culture almost always defers to the developer mindset. Tear it down. Build new stuff and all those people will be happy.

[@deezynar]

@@kell4674 Buildings built before certain safety requirements were instituted, such as wood frame structures built before fire blocking between studs was mandated, are not cheaply retrofitted. What's more, those old buildings probably fail to meet a variety of other requirements that impact their safety, such as minimum hallway, stair, and door, widths, as well as providing enough exterior exits. They probably don't meet current codes for plumbing, and electrical, too. When you add all those things up, and a variety of other items, like termite, mold, and rot, damage, the cost of bringing up an old building, is far higher than tearing it down and building a new one. That's why it's done that way so often. But just because starting over again costs less than fixing all the problems in an old building, does not make it cheap. The difference between repairing and updating, compared to tearing down and starting from scratch, is small compared to doing nothing. But when doing nothing is no longer an option because the risks to public safety are too high, the result will be that the tenants will be looking at rents that they can no longer pay. But if people were to step back, and look at the bigger picture, they'd see that the poor could afford rent in a safe building in a much smaller town that's hundreds of miles from the metropolis they were in. Large cities create their own economically inflated bubbles due to the large numbers of people competing for the same housing.

[@rosahill9487]

Great movie!5 Stars!

[@lawrence97431]

Joey was Sidney Lumet, director of "The Verdict" and "12 Angry Men," at age 14.

[@kidmohair8151]

this started as Federal Theatre Project Living Newspaper play... it was produced originally in NYC in 1938 and went on to be mounted in a number of cities across the country despite positive reviews and box office receipts it was criticized in Congress for its "radical" content and led to the ending of funding for the FTP in 1939....

[@bobbmarly4355]

wow

[@r_1901]

Movie opens with historic view of Manhattan Bridge 1:00 practically unchanged over 80 years, looking due south from corner of Pike and Madison. Storefronts much different now.

[@Fred-mp1vf]

A good example of "responsible" filmmaking. (films that are decent & have a purpose) Something that is completely lacking in the Trash that people watch today!

[@stevenlester2606]

When John Jacob Astor died as the Titanic went down he was the richest man in the world and his wealth derived mostly from his ownership of thousands of of the tenements in New York City just like the one that burned in this movie. His father had purchased them from the proceeds he made from the selling of furs from out West. The man in the family picture was like unto him.

[@danielcombs3207]

In other words like Lief Ericsson’s character. That was interesting I will definitely research that. Thank you

[@leannbridwell1853]

Love the doggie! Great actors

[@keithharvey7230]

12 Angry Men. I believe that something that can save a boys life is that important.

[@shizukamori6755]

This is really from a bygone era, a vanished world. Can you imagine a private citizen today who would rush a critically injured victim to the hospital in his own car? And offer to pay for the expenses? Unimaginable today.

[@shinjiikari1103]

Facts

[@DonatoDamiano-r2g]

There are some good souls in the world, like this. However, few and far between.

[@laurakibben4147]

Although probably just a movie set, with that huge bridge mast in the background, it wouldn't be too hard to find out if that area is still there or ever refurbished to even a modicum of decency. I figure its along the lines of Midlers apartment building in Beaches and currently renting for about 3500/m. 😂😂😢😢

[@danielcombs3207]

Myron McCormick who played Sam played Sgt King in No Time for Sergeants.

[@JMarieCAlove]

I love that she bit the officers hand to break free to get to her brother! That's what sisters would do for little brothers! Unless they arrest me first! Lol

[@sallymilow6646]

Great film! The only thing I don't understand is why it's called One Third of a Nation. Does that mean that 1/3 of the population at the time was very poor?

[@bobbmarly4355]

Good question!

[@leannbridwell1853]

Enjoy harmonica “band”& singing.

[@JamesSavage-l4p]

Lenore Kasdorf could play her easily. Both striking good looks & great actresses. ❤Sylvia ❤

[@vickikondylas555]

Geez The man so rich didn't know that he owned the building,,, 👂many stories like that even today ,,well he ends up a Hero at least🙌👏Thank you ,,🍕🍕🍕extra sauce please 😂

[@yasminedey8612]

A real tresor as a rare social critical oldie...not only flowers and roses as the other ones.

[@candacewight7707]

Goes to show that things don't really change because individuals are still the same. Although "tenement" houses are now low rent apartment complexes with parks in the middle and better building standards, they are still depressing.

[@nickmoore9643]

No mention of all the people that lived there and what happened to them. Judging from the posts I'm the only one asking.

[@maryqueenofScots2023]

Super!

[@ih82r8]

And then Joey's generation grew up and turned the new tenements into a slum again.

[@michellemchenry2383]

pretty amazing...the rich snobby woman who was born into self serving family line never working or achieving anything called a hard working woman a parasite...dont understand these monsters

[@frankiewoodhouse2914]

rare one! thx PizzaFlix

[@ron-py3ct]

on a lighter note... world oil production was down in the 70s due to political differences... in the united states prices for everything went up... when oil production retumed... prices, including rent stayed up

[@rogerkincaid931]

Good thing the boy survived the fire, otherwise we wouldn't be blessed with 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, and Network.

[@coolaunt516]

Sidney Lumet--such a fabulous director!

[@amylumet8365]

@@coolaunt516 yes!!!!

[@amylumet8365]

yes! dad screened this on an old bell and howell projector going clickety-clack -- and scared us to death!!!!

[@daveallen63]

Despite what many think and who they want to blame, the only truth is that as long as the government allows this they are the only to blame. It sounds harsh but the sad truth is that if they did rebuild these buildings the ones who need the affordable housing wouldn't be able to afford to live there. No easy answers to situations like this at any point in history.

[@laurakibben4147]

@daveallen63 Mostly only because all these builders feel the need to do HGTV like planning with 400 dollar faucet sprayers instead of simple 80 dollar faucets as the bare minimum of examples. That alone demands a higher rent price to repay those bills alone.

[@georgetissot5933]

It's interesting that people are still living like this almost 75 years latter. Of course Congress ever mindful of caring for the most venerable, showed how they really felt, what they saw by viewing the movie. They canceled the program that produced pictures like this one. Fast forward and Congress is still being unconcerned about the people they supposed to represent.

[@warrenwilson4818]

I practically worship Sylvia S. For me, it all started with Hitchcock's "Sabotage." (1936)

[@gerica82]

I started to be very fond of her after watching her in Madame Butterfly with Cary Grant. Amazing movie. Try to watch it.

[@keithharvey7230]

Sidney Lumet directed 12 Angry Men.

[@gforcewindswinds291]

The world was more caring.

[@keithharvey7230]

Myron McCormick was in The Hustler,years later.

[@Casper1tfg]

He also played Sgt King in 'No Time For Sergeants with Andy Griffith in1958.

[@thephantomoftheparadise5666]

Is that the Coach?

[@jstearns918]

Sidney Lumet?? THE Sidney Lumet?

[@geoben1810]

Just a short time before America lost her innocence to the war.

[@deezynar]

The buildings were dangerous, and unsanitary. Building new ones would insure the materials and standards meet the more stringent safety and health codes. Those are good things. However, the movie itself has a line that mentions many of the tenants could barely afford to live in the old buildings, how will they be able to pay rent on the new places? Where will they live while the buildings are torn down? Yes, because they were so unsafe, they needed to be torn down, or gutted to the walls and rebuilt. But just because you want to make things better does not mean it won't have negative consequences on some of the weakest people.

[@fredneecher1746]

The slums were there because poor people still need to live somewhere. They were a symptom, not a cause.

[@deezynar]

@@fredneecher1746 Yes. People on the bottom of the economic heap have to live somewhere, and they can't afford the prices of the safe buildings because the competition from people with more money. You can implement minimum wage laws, but that just drives up inflation, and the people on the bottom remain on the bottom.

[@mrsteveinsandiego]

well, somewhat similar symptoms apply today: too expensive, or insufficient to house a family safely.

[@1LSWilliam]

The van Cortlandt heir was right, and reform was doable.

[@sharonqaranivalu5152]

Great Flik

[@johnshifflette1218]

Nothing like lungs full of asbestos. That's what all breathed while tearing those dumps down.

[@karenhill3970]

Watched this whole movie ...over 3 nites ..too see a romance .between Cortland & Mary...& to see little Joey get a nice place.......poo...why NOT start after FIRST HORRIBLE FIRE....babies& women where killed..too.....?😥😥🙏🙏

[@bobbmarly4355]

Nice idealic movie. But the truth is affordable houseing is often occupied by the two legged cockroaches who trash the place and turn it into a drug den. They ruin it for real people who need help and don't just want a hand out.

[@laurakibben4147]

@bobbmarly4355 Because they "can't" be prejudiced in who they rent what to. They can make "sure" they'll be able to afford it but can't go see how they truly treat and live in their previous place and the previous landlord can't be slanderous so it keeps going for the worst.

[@bobbmarly4355]

@@laurakibben4147 You are right

[@kidmohair8151]

the struggle continues

[@1LSWilliam]

Cholera, Yellow Fever, and all the rest. Has nothing to do with convenient ideological scapegoats but everything to do with human ignorance, waste, and folly.

[@alexandrebertrand-lafleur3114]

Young Juno from Beetlejuice!

[@carly_j8011]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤙

[@keithharvey7230]

I prefer Victoria in The High Chapparel.

[@leannbridwell1853]

4.04)

[@keithharvey7230]

19 minutes that's a wig!

[@Kingofgrowers]

Human condition ... vocabulary and even gov assist may change , but the conditions all remain. I wonder if we will ever have a more utopian life...Ruled by say ... compassion ?

[@laurakibben4147]

Everyone passing the buck, its not my job/department...

[@scallopohare9431]

Hmm. Here's hoping it is not too preachy. 😊

[@mrsteveinsandiego]

gads, the dude doesn't know what realty he owns?!? funny, all the other gals look terrible, while ms. sydney is a picture of perfection. if she is able to dress fashionably, she should be able to live in at least middle-class digs, dontchya s'pose??

[@weepingwillow-ud6xl]

This story isn't for everyone's taste, as it gives a backstreet view to poorest areas of New York during 1938, through a Living Newspaper play that toured the country. The class divide is clearly apparent, but a young woman strives to get better housing built, following the tragic accident & then death of her younger brother. It's certainly a social comment to the Great Depression of that time. The sad thing is that people still live in these conditions & worse in 2019.

[@an3fantasy]

savage ravage

[@mountainwoodie9816]

Young Donald Trump investigates one of his fly speck tumble down holes. As Louis said to Marie Antoinette, "The people they are revolting!" "I know" she said'

[@RustyNoir]

What a poopy movie 🤮🤢🤢🤮🤮

[@missapk]

Pathetic period propaganda - albeit w talented lead performers.

[@patstokes3615]

Five minutes in and I can tell we have some pretty terrible acting.