Letters

The production was so capably executed that thirty-five years later it is as convincing as when it was first made. The viewer is stirred by Aaron Copland's score and the dramatic impact is heightened by a frequently staccato narration and some ofthe best editing ever done in a documentary. Because it is such an adroit propaganda vehicle, caution is necessary in classroom usage as the students need a context in which to evaluate it. For balance and contrast, one might also show The Rise ofNew Towns (America's Crisis series, 1966, 60 min., b&w, 16mm), a contemporary promotional film which is somewhat more objective and relates the European and American new town movements of the 1960s. Course: U.S. Urban History 19 Lawrence L. Murray, SUNY Fredonia LETTERS Dear Editors: I am writing to congratulate you for presenting Swastika the other night (see News, p. 1 6), and also in hopes that you will send my comments on to Philippe Mora and Sandy Lieberson. I have seen many films and clips on the Nazi era, both before and after I did my own publishing in the field. I have never seen anything with similar impact. I could not say anything during the discussion, but the film doesn't need commentary from scholars, and, as one who has been asked to speak after Nazi era films, I know that one does not want to talk. But 1 felt that those responsible for making the film should know, although I know others have said it, that the film is unique in its impact. The movement between the massive Teutonic ceremonials and the "at home with Adolf is perfect. I can't explain why, but the balance is so well done, and the movement between different realities so appropriate, that the effect is somehow to make both realities more real. I don't know ifthat makes sense, but its the closest I can come to expressing my feeling that the film was just right. I can say that the use ofthe various Nazi and old German songs has perfect given the contexts—the chorale from the 9th moving into the crowd awaiting the leader really moved me. Ending with Noel Coward's, Let's Not Be Beastly to the Germans, was a brilliant touch. The transitions, the beginning, the end - well, one could go on and on magnificent! Will it be shown commercially? Is it ever going to be available for Colleges? Thanks to your colleagues in the Historians Film Committee for providing an evening which brought to life an era we want to forget John Weiss, Dept. ofHistory, Lehman College, CUNY. Swastika has been released in Great Britain and will be appearing in American theaters soon. There are as yet noplansfor distribution to schools and colleges. Eds. Dear Editors: 15 I cannot tell you how very much 1 enjoyed the evening at San Francisco with Frank Capra. He is superb and the session was magnificent. He has been a guest on our campus and honored us by accepting an honorary doctorate, and I know that he deeply appreciated the written expression ofrecognition that you presented him. His graciousness was typical and moving. I shall be looking forward to Film & History. Nelson Peter Ross, Chairman, History Dept. Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis. 16 ...