Watchtower Over Tomorrow (1945)
Directed by John Cromwell / Harold Kress
Run Time - 15 min. | Countries - USA |Share on
Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Though running a mere 15 minutes, Watchtower Over Tomorrow boasts some very impressive credits. Written by Ben Hecht, this paean to the newly-formed United Nations does its best to explain the importance of the organization and the Dubarton Oaks Conference which preceded it. The film is in the form of a subway debate, as gravel-voiced laborer Lionel Stander weighs the pros and cons of the UN with well-dressed intellectual Grant Mitchell. John Nesbitt, producer-host of MGM's "Passing Parade" short-subject series, narrates. Watchtower Over Tomorrow is distinguished by a rare on-camera appearance by then-Secretary of State Edward Stettinius, who presided over the inaugural UN meeting.