The Kearney House's video, A New Deal for the Palisades, featuring rare footage of the Palisades from the 1930s and 40s, is available for purchase at State Line Lookout, Fort Lee Historic Park, and at the Kearney House office at Park Headquarters. Cost: $10 VHS, $12 DVD. To read more about this video and its production, see "Meeting the 'Reel' Ghosts." To order by mail: please send check for $12 per VHS, $14 per DVD (includes $2 shipping/handling) to Palisades Interstate Park Commission, P.O. Box 155, Alpine, NJ 07620-0155, attn: Kearney House. Please remember to include shipping instructions and daytime phone number.
Images of the New Jersey Palisades
from the Depression and Early War Years1929 – 1943
Narrative from original park
documents of the dayTotal running time: approx. 33 min.
Copyright © MMI
Palisades Interstate Park CommissionClick here to find out about arranging a screening for your group.
A NEW DEAL FOR THE PALISADES
Rarely seen film footage, coupled with commentary in the actual words of the day, offers a glimpse of what life was like for ordinary Americans during the nation’s two major crises of the mid-twentieth century: the Great Depression and America’s entry into World War II.
the images
Almost all of the images shown are from photographs and restored 16-mm film footage shot by workers in the NJ Section of the Palisades Interstate Park during the Depression and early War years.
“1929: The Unknown Palisades” A brief history of the preservation of the Palisades and the origin and development of the Interstate Park.
“The Great Depression” As the economy worsens after the 1929 crash, attendance at the Park soars, with tens of thousands seeking respite from the crisis at the park’s beaches, picnic groves, campgrounds, and marinas.
“The New Deal” Cameras capture some of the work and accomplishments of two of the earliest of Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal” agencies, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Civil Works Administration.
“Toward Recovery … and World War” Rare color footage highlights the tale of an improving national economy—even as it plays upon an ever more volatile world stage. The social effects of the World War cause many of the Park’s facilities to close … as the industrial component of the war effort exacts a terrible toll upon the Hudson River.
“The Watchful Lifeguard…” Immediately after the closing credits, “bonus” footage showcases a pre-CPR lifesaving demonstration.
the narrative
All of the text for the narration was taken from annual reports and other Park documents written during the same period that the images were first filmed.
the accompaniment
The musical score was arranged and performed by professional theater organist Jeff Barker. Jeff used a Kimball three-manual, twelve-rank theater pipe organ, built in 1926 and originally installed in the Baghdad Theatre, Portland, Oregon. This organ is still in use today at the Galaxy Theatre, Guttenberg, New Jersey.
Editor: Bobby Puzino
This project was assisted by a grant from the New Jersey Historical
Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.
