November 20, 2024

This pretty much does what it says on the tin as it takes us on a review of 1933. It's a Britain recovering from the Great War in 91 degree sunshine, but in Berlin too, with people milling around and leisurely sitting in cafés, the shadow of what's coming is beginning to eclipse events there. The US is seeing the depression in full swing with opportunity going down the drain as surely as the prohibited booze. Back in Britain, cycling helps people… read the rest.

This pretty much does what it says on the tin as it takes us on a review of 1933. It's a Britain recovering from the Great War in 91 degree sunshine, but in Berlin too, with people milling around and leisurely sitting in cafés, the shadow of what's coming is beginning to eclipse events there. The US is seeing the depression in full swing with opportunity going down the drain as surely as the prohibited booze. Back in Britain, cycling helps people take to the great outdoors with some jolly community singing in the presence of the Duke of York. Society events are still thriving and the fashions are high at the horse racing with Gordon Richards dominant but not at the Derby where King George V took centre stage. Helen Jacobs and Dorothy Rand were doing their stuff at Wimbledon as was Fred Perry; J.E. Lovelock set a new mile world record, Wally Hammond was at the top of his cricketing prowess - and there was the "Bodyline" scandal too. Everton won the FA Cup and there were some celebrations afterwards with thousands turning out to celebrate. Malcolm Campbell went to Daytona beach in 272 mph almost as quick as fortunes were sliding into the dusty desert that was reclaiming the land from poverty stricken businesses. Riots and tear gas as public dissent saw the population make camp outside the White House and FDR is re-elected for his second term - "The only thing we have to fear... is fear itself" and then his famed "New Deal" implemented to give some hope to the hopeless 9ans some faces to Mount Rushmore). The UK is also clamouring for change as exemplified by writer H.G. Wells's comments suggesting that fewer and fewer people can do more and more, forcing other less adaptable folks from jobs - but all of these stories and personalities fade into insignificance when there are reported sightings of the "Loch Ness Monster". Green eyes and red nostrils that can be seen by just about everyone (who lives/drinks on it's shores) but by nobody else - even the House of Commons gets in on the act! It's this mix of the serious and perilous with the flippant and lighthearted that shines an effective light on this year. A year of no especial anniversarial significance, but one that illustrates a world that was expanding and contracting at the same time. It's gently scored and Stephen Murray provides us with a lead narration that's measured and entertaining a times, as are the contributions from the likes of Joyce Grenfell who rather ironically sounds another warning about the sense of "purpose" in a newly invigorated Germany whilst Hollywood finds roles for Charles Laughton in full ancient Roman garb or Oscar-winning Tudor ones. It's a compilation that anyone interested in general history can look at as a review of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness/power/jobs/entertainment as the thirties got going.

show less