World War One Living History Project (w/o newshole)
From: Treehouse Productions
Length: 01:55:54
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Piece Description
In 1917-1918, 4.5 million Americans served in World War One. Of that number only 14 remain. The "WWI Living History Project" honors the sacrifices and contributions of America's last surviving WWI veterans. The producers have travelled the country in search of the men and women who made the world (in President Wilson's words) "safe for democracy." Twelve of these veterans, aged 105 to 115, share their reminiscences, humor and wit on a two-hour radio special hosted by award-winning CBS anchor Walter Cronkite. The program begins with a 20-minute introduction to the events of 1914-1917, narrated by Walter Cronkite. It explores the political circumstances that precipitated the outbreak of war, and the advances in communication, armaments and transportation which led to an acceleration of hostilities far beyond the known bounds of continental warfare in Europe. The war went quickly from the drawing-rooms of the European aristocracy to the trenches, where the armies of Europe became enmeshed in a conflict in which the prevailing military strategy was to relentlessly deplete the manpower of the opposing army. This first 28-minute background segment is articulated through a combination of scripted narrative, recordings of period speeches, and short first-person accounts read by professional voice talent. The subsequent 30-minute segment incorporates the first-person experiences of the 12 veterans as they pertain to the events of 1917-1918. The second hour of the program offers a more intimate portrait of the veterans themselves, their experiences and their attitudes toward the war some 90 years after the fact. The program concludes with an essay by Will Everett on insights gained from meeting America's oldest veterans. He shares their lessons for the contemporary age on longevity, history and the future. And he shares his feelings on the death of interview subjects during the period of program production. To receive an audition copy of the program on CD or via FTP download, please contact the producer.
4 Comments
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Review of World War One Living History Project (w/o newshole)?WWI Living History Project? When I saw the title of these two programs I immediately though that this was something I should listen to. The additional information said that program included interviews with some of the surviving veterans who, as I thought had long since passed away leaving only their taped memories. This was not the case, as William Everett has in fact discovered that there are still survivors of this conflict. They range in age is now from 105 to 113 and they are still able to talk about their experiences. To add to gravitas to this production, veteran news anchor man & reporter Walter Cronkite adds commentary. The beginning of program one give us a short history of the many reasons of how this ?War to End all Wars? came about and how things progress up to the time that America became involved in the fighting on April 6th 1917. America joined this conflict when its shipping was threatened and the security of the US Mexican boarder through which a Germany invasion was threatened. Program two goes into how the U.S. prepared to go to war and what came after the close of hostilities. Samuel Goldberg talks about convincing a fellow officer that desertion was not the answer to his troubles, and how he was a Jewish Mother to a lot of them what fun he had. How 16 year old George Johnston, managed to get himself accidentally taken to Buenos Aires; and spent 2 years returning home, arriving in time to be drafted. Both programmes are interspersed with music written for them by composer Chuck Wild; William Everett also includes famous songs of the time. I was moved when William Everett told us at the end of the second program that since the recordings both Homer Anderson & George Johnston had passed away. How much longer the remainder of these men have is impossible to tell, but the account they have left us is invaluable and hopefully will go some way to convince us all of how futile this so called ?Great War? actually was. |
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Review of World War One Living History ProjectI had the privilege of composing the musical underscore for the Living History Project, so I must admit to some bias about this wonderful show. First what it is not: political propaganda. What is is: A unique, one of a kind offering, shining light on (sometimes quite intimate and outspoken) insights by a dozen centenarians, reminding us of the importance of history as a teacher, and, ultimately that wars are fought by human beings. World War One Living History Project is a well-paced docu-view (documentary/interview), featuring Walter Cronkite and some of the oldest living veterans on the planet (age 104 to 112) ... especially poignant, beacause this show is perhaps, for many of these old gentlemen, their last public audio record. Two vets have already passed on since they were interviewed. Everett does a masterful job of relating the interview material to the historical timeline in an understandable way for listeners. While it's appropriate for Veteran's day, it makes for fascinating listening any time of the year. Chuck Wild, Composer
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Broadcast History
None.
Transcript
The WWI Living History Project
A creation of Treehouse Productions
Host: Walter Cronkite (WC)
Producer: William Everett (WE)
Original Music: Chuck Wild
Voices of veterans talking and laughing
WC: Imagine, if you will, a long conference table, around which sit twelve old soldiers. They range in age from a hundred and five to a hundred and thirteen. Some of these veterans are blind; most have trouble hearing. Ninety years ago, four million Americans served their country on the homefront and on the battlefield during World War One. Of that number, these are the last surviving witnesses. I'm Walter Cronkite. Join me this hour as we honor the memories and experiences of these veterans on Doughboys: The World War One Living History Project.
WE: My name is Will Everett. The First World War was a rite of passage for the United States, marking its transition from an...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
See "Timings & Cues" file. Contact producer for more information.
Musical Works
See "Music Copyright Info" file.
Additional Files
- Walter Cronkite headshot (walter.jpg)
- Music copyright info (lhpmusicinfo.rtf)
- Rundown and cues (lhprundown.rtf)
- :30 promo (wwilhppromo.mp2)
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Lisa Bordner
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 08:06 AM | Permalink
Review of World War One Living History Project (w/o newshole)
WWI Living History parts 1 and 2 had excellent production quality and editing choices throughout. The coordination of talent, voices, and content made for a compelling piece. It was neither heavy-handed nor overly sentimental - superbly done. I found myself grateful that this work had been done, eager to listen again, and hopeful that more such examinations and quality recordings of "living history" would follow.