City of Contrasts. 1931. Directed by Irving Browning.

(5/2/00)

The credits to this film imply that itis narrated. I saw it shown silent. I think that narration would have made a big difference in holding my interest. It really looks as if the footage was meant to be attached to a narration.

Nevertheless, the film is touching as a portrait of New York during the depression. I remember one scene of a man playing an accordion for money with a sign saying how long he had been out of work. We see doormen outside of restaurants of different nationalities.

There are views of Manhattan from boats and scenes of the lights of Broadway and what goes on in nightclubs. But this film really needs the narration to pull it all together.