Death of a Dream
Cast & Crew
Quentin Reynolds
Quentin Reynolds
Edward Bartsch
Carl Pugh
Quentin Reynolds
Jack Shaindlin
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Using a compilation of newsreel clips from several decades, the rise to power of the Fascist countries Italy, Germany and Japan is traced. The narrator notes that the United States' policies of appeasement and isolationism, and its disregard of the League of Nations, aided the rise of Fascism. Scenes of President Woodrow Wilson visiting Paris and Haile Selassie addressing the League of Nations are shown, as is footage of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria and the struggle of Chinese Nationalists against the Chinese Communists is reported, and parallels are drawn between the rise of Fascism and the rise of Communism. Madame Chiang Kai-shek is seen making a speech that condemns Chinese Communism. The narrator then predicts that Korea will be the next Communist target and urges the United States and the United Nations to stand firm against the Communists.
Film Details
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Trivia
Notes
According to the Variety review, the "dream" of the title refers to the hope of free men for "peace, democracy and security." A July 23, 1950 New York Times article states, "This hackneyed assemblage of newsreels is actually nothing more than an excuse for a verbal editorial thumping for aid to the Chinese Nationalists." The New York Times review states, "It is apparent, despite the publicizing of this film as 'the prelude to Korea,' that it was assembled, and the narration completed some time before the current conflict began."
