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TIME: Almanac of the 20th Century
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TIME, Almanac of the 20th Century.ISO
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1920
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20metrop
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1994-02-27
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<text>
<title>
(1920s) Metropolis
</title>
<history>
TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1920s Highlights
Cinema
</history>
<article>
<source>Time Magazine</source>
<hdr>
Metropolis
</hdr>
<body>
<p>(MARCH 14, 1927)
</p>
<p> Metropolis. It is the name of a futuristic city, built on a
gargantuan iron skeleton, with whole communities superimposed
upon one another in prismatic vastnesses--the dwelling place of
men who live to slave for their own machines.
</p>
<p> When first the huge city was flashed upon the screen, its
structures stretching with geometric relentlessness into the
infinite heavens, its enormous pistons thumping, dynamos
roaring, cog-wheels whirring, it was agreed that nothing so
immense, grand, complete had ever been comprehended by the eye.
For a while it seemed as if one would behold an entire
civilization revealed from an Olympian vantage point, would
glimpse its heart palpitating beneath steel ribs. Then the
scenario took hold, reduced the magnificent spectacle to the
condition of a god smothered with a dish-rag.
</p>
<p> Villain Inventor chases Mary up a roof, intent upon dashing
her to earth, in the manner of spiteful evil-doers since
Desperate Desmond. The hero pursues. During the struggle,
Capitalist Masterman swears if the hero (his son) be spared, he
will henceforth treat all working-men like brothers, never again
allow a monster like Efficiency to be created. The villain
topples off the roof. With Efficiency and Invention thus
disposed of, happiness comes to man, the hero finds the
heroine's lips, Labor and Capital strike hands, the city
destroyed by evil counsel of Efficiency is to be rebuilt--how
is not divulged.</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>