New York: A Documentary Film — Season 1, Episode 5: Cosmopolis (1919–1931)

Episode synopsis

In this short but dazzling period, New York became the focal point of an extraordinary array of human and cultural energies, reaching its highest levels of urban excitement and glamour. In just over a decade, New York gave birth to its signature skyscrapers, the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, and to artistic creations like F. Scott Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," and to the jazz compositions of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Along the way, Harlem emerged as the undisputed capital of the African- American experience and the new media industries of advertising, radio networks, public relations, and magazines found their homes in midtown Manhattan.

About New York: A Documentary Film

This eight-part, 16½-hour television event explores New York City's rich history as the premier laboratory of modern life. A sweeping narrative covering nearly 400 years and 400 square miles, it reveals a complex and dynamic city that has played an unparalleled role in shaping the nation and reflecting its ideals.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Country and the City (1609–1825)
• E2Order and Disorder (1825–1865)
• E3Sunshine and Shadow (1865–1898)
• E4The Power and the People (1898–1918)
• E6City of Tomorrow (1929–1941)
• E7The City and the World (1945–2000)
• E8The Center of the World (1946–2003)
• E9The Future of Cities (2003–2025), Part 1
• E10The Future of Cities (2003–2025), Part 2