The Origin of Political Attack Ads Unveiled in World Broadcast Premiere of 'The First Attack Ads: Hollywood vs. Upton Sinclair'
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JP Shields
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Los Angeles, Calif. –Sept. 1, 2022 – PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California’s flagship PBS stations as well as the home for award-winning, original local content, announced today the world broadcast premiere of the documentary THE FIRST ATTACK ADS: HOLLYWOOD vs. UPTON SINCLAIR which follows the world-famous author and socialist Upton Sinclair who swept the Democratic primary for governor of California in August 1934. Leading a massive grassroots movement, his inspiring “End Poverty in California (EPIC)” movement provoked Hollywood's first all-out plunge into politics. THE FIRST ATTACK ADS will debut on Sat., Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. PT on KCET with an encore airing on Thurs., Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal. The film will also air on The World Channel and be distributed nationally via NETA with PBS SoCal | KCET as the Presenting Station.
This is the first film to focus on the revered MGM producer Irving Thalberg ordering the creation of the first "attack ads" to appear on a screen, a forerunner of today's media-based politics. THE FIRST ATTACK ADS reveals highlights from the three "Thalberg shorts" along with interviews with participants in the EPIC campaign and observers of the crucial impact of those shorts and their influence since. The film shows how the 1934 race marked the rise of "spin doctors," false or manipulated news, and the modern campaign techniques that will continue to dominate political campaigning in 2022 and beyond.
THE FIRST ATTACK ADS is directed and written by Greg Mitchell and produced by Lyn Goldfarb. The film is edited by Pascal Akesson. Narrated by Elliott Forrest.
Early Responses
“Great film. I alternately laughed and cringed during those vox pop ‘interviews.’ So many lessons in this story for our modern times.” — Griff Witte, Democracy Editor, Washington Post
“Terrific. Amazing how the same political tropes continue to operate.” — Michael Pollan, author of bestsellers The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore’s Dilemma and other books.
“Fascinating and important. I’d never heard or seen those shorts before.”– Geoffrey C. Ward, Emmy-winning writer of numerous Ken Burns films, including The Civil War, Jazz, The Roosevelts and The Vietnam War
“Great film–a fine piece of work.” — Paul Begala, political strategist and counselor to President Bill Clinton, now a CNN commentator.
“Well done. It’s a very interesting story well told.” — Sharon Grimberg, director of McCarthy and producer of more than a dozen PBS American Experience films.
“Fascinating short documentary on the first screen attack ads and Hollywood’s war against Upton Sinclair.” — Nina Bernstein, longtime investigative reporter, The New York Times
“Terrific. It gives us a glimpse into our past, but more than that shines a light into where we are and what we have become. I hope everyone sees this and takes it to heart.” –Joshua Brand, co-creator of Northern Exposure, St. Elsewhere and I’ll Fly Away, writer The Americans
"Terrific documentary with amazing interviews. And loved being reminded of Uppie and Downey." -- Walter Shapiro, campaign correspondent for Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, USA Today, now The New Republic.
“Nicely done–good and taut. Works great as a short.” — Alex Winter, actor and director of The Panama Papers, Zappa, and other films.
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