New York: A Documentary Film — Season 1, Episode 6: City of Tomorrow (1929–1941)

Episode synopsis

In little more than ten years, immense new forces were unleashed in New York, from the Depression itself to the New Deal, which permanently altered the city and the country. Along the way, two of the most remarkable New Yorkers of all time came to the fore: Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and master builder Robert Moses, both of whom attempted to create, in the darkest of times, a bold new city of the future. The episode examines their careers in detail, as well as the immense public works that transformed the city in the '30s. Also explored are the demise of Mayor Jimmy Walker, the coming of the New Deal, the fate of Harlem during the Depression, and the increasingly complex impact of the automobile on the city.

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)
• E5Cosmopolis (1919–1931)
• 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