First Strike

First Strike 1979

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Dramatization of a devastating nuclear strike against the United States by the Soviet Union, followed by interviews with analysts and military figures. Produced by the United States Air Force.

1979

Jackpot at Tahoe

Jackpot at Tahoe 1963

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Assignment Four documentary film made by KRON-TV which first aired on September 16th 1963. Narrated by Art Brown, it examines tension caused by conflicts in interest between preservation of Lake Tahoe's recreational areas and rapid development of the gambling industry in South Lake Tahoe (which was incorporated as a city in 1965). Includes scenes featuring: Lake Tahoe and the surrounding countryside; people enjoying leisure time at Harvey's Wagon Wheel Resort and Harrah's Club casinos; stars like Sammy Davis Jr. performing on-stage and a glimpse of circus performer Emmett Kelly, Sr. in his dressing room. Also interviews with: Harvey Gross; William Leadbetter; William F. Harrah; Dean Seeger and the editor of the Tahoe Times. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

1963

Segregation Western Style

Segregation Western Style 1963

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ssignment Four documentary film made by KRON-TV in 1963, narrated by Craig Jordan, which examines the issue of racial housing discrimination in Berkeley, in light of the defeat of an April 1963 fair housing ordinance. Includes interviews with: Robert D. Weinmanh (Executive Director of the Citizens League For Individual Freedom); Frank Quinn (Director of the Council For Civic Unity); Charles Wilson, an African American attorney who describes the difficulty he faced trying to purchase a house in Berkeley; Orville Luster (Executive Director of Youth For Service, shown walking around the streets of Bayview Hunters Point); James Stratton (Vice President of the San Francisco Board of Education) and Daniel Kline (VP of the San Francisco Real Estate Board).

1963

Shepherd of the Streets

Shepherd of the Streets 1966

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A KRON-TV Assignment Four documentary report from 1966, narrated by Art Brown, featuring a look at the work of Reverend Donald E. Stuart (1922-2014) for the San Francisco Council of Churches Night Ministry. Includes scenes of Rev. Stuart: walking on the streets of the Tenderloin neighborhood; speaking with a drunk in a hotel; meeting people at Bunnys Coffee Shop and the Intersection Coffee House and chatting with a prostitute (who turned away a client to speak with him). At one point Stuart states that the church: "Should be available to people whenever they need it." He also reflects that people tend to feel more vulnerable to loneliness and despair at night. Note that Rev. Stuart was Night Minister from 1964-76. This film was written and produced by Bob Anderson, directed by Vern Louden, edited by Marie Looney and shot by John Hines. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

1966

A Family on Fell Street

A Family on Fell Street 1968

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KRON-TV Assignment Four documentary film from 1968, narrated by Phil Wilson, which looks at the living conditions, social outlook and aspirations of the Diggs family, who live on Fell Street in San Francisco's Western Addition neighborhood. Includes scenes of: widower Louis Diggs (originally from Texas) discussing his family's quality of life; Louis working as a handyman and relaxing at home; eldest son Larry Diggs reflecting on how different generations within his community cope with hardship and negative prospects; Larry working with kids as a counsellor at Youth For Service and visiting Andrew Jackson Elementary School; daughter Cherie Diggs attending Zion Lutheran Parochial School and shopping for the family; Larry's younger brother Joe Diggs attending George Washington High School and walking around Golden Gate Park, as he describes his current state of affairs and street views of the Western Addition.

1968

Hunters Point: A View from the Hill

Hunters Point: A View from the Hill 1969

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KRON-TV Assignment Four documentary film which aired on October 5th 1969 at 7:00pm about poverty, racism, urban renewal and community action in San Francisco's Hunters Point neighborhood (predominantly African American). Features scenes of: SFPD Community Relations Unit's Palmer Jackson walking around the neighborhood and talking with youths; Adam Rogers of Young men For Action meeting with police and community members; an interview with Dr. Arthur Coleman, head of the Hunters Point Bayview Community Health Project; Mrs Elouise Westbrook chairing a public meeting of the Joint Housing Committee; Sylvester Brown criticizing Mrs Westbrook for not permitting more voices to be heard at the meeting; Rev. Charles Lee preaching a sermon about how a "revolution" is coming, at the Ridgepoint Methodist Church; brief views of the September 1966 Hunters Point uprising (including police shooting at residents) and urban planner William Keller presenting ideas of how to transform the neighborhood.

1969

Portrait - Jesse Fuller

Portrait - Jesse Fuller 1971

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A KRON-TV film documentary featuring the last public concert given by one man band musician Jesse Fuller, in Oakland Museum's Cowell Hall on May 7th 1971. Fuller is seen playing several songs (including 'San Francisco Bay Blues') and bantering with the audience, recalling how he appeared in Raoul Walsh's 1924 movie 'The Thief of Bagdad'. Also includes close-up views of him playing his guitar and fotdella (a foot operated percussion bass) and talking about his playing style. Begins and ends with brief scenes of Fuller walking around his Oakland neighborhood.

1971