The World We Want to Live In

This thought-provoking documentary, likely produced in the early 1940s amid WWII, confronts the rise of religious and social intolerance in the United States, drawing parallels to the oppressive dictatorships abroad. The film opens with a hopeful scene: a Roman Catholic, a Protestant, and a Jewish child playing together on an American beach, symbolizing unity. This contrasts sharply with footage of Europe, where narration and stark visuals—perhaps newsreels of Nazi or fascist regimes—illustrate the denial of religious, political, and social rights to minorities. The focus then shifts homeward, exposing pockets of U.S. intolerance: subtle discrimination or overt prejudice against religious and ethnic groups, possibly shown through staged vignettes or archival clips. Prominent voices like Charles Evans Hughes, Al Smith, Eddie Cantor, and Wendell Willkie deliver impassioned pleas for understanding and cooperation, their speeches woven into the narrative. The film culminates with the work of the Williamstown Institute of Human Relations, highlighting its efforts to promote brotherhood through education and dialogue. Shot in black-and-white, it’s a sobering yet optimistic call for a more tolerant America.