Pare Lorentz papers, 1914-1994, bulk 1932-1960

Series III: The Plow That Broke The Plains, 1935-1942, undated

The Plow That Broke The Plains was Pare Lorentz's first effort as a director. A half-hour-long documentary with orchestral music and a portentous narration, the film dramatizes the plight of American farmers and extols the efforts of President Roosevelt's New Deal. The film was made under the aegis of the Resettlement Administration – the name would soon change to the better-known Farm Security Administration – an ambitious agency that hoped to encourage farmers to move from dust bowl areas to ecologically stable land. The film premiered in March 1936, in a special presentation before Roosevelt in the White House.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only Columbia affiliates may view materials on-site. After clicking 'Submit Request', affiliates will login with their UNI and password. Appointments are required and will be arranged according to each individual repository's policy.

Subseries 1. Publicity and Clippings, 1936-1941, undated

After initially struggling to generate enthusiasm for his film, Lorentz eventually packed his picture into suitcases and traveled the nation, appealing directly to reporters and theater owners. These reviews and feature stories, clipped from newspapers and magazines, are the result of that effort.

Request Box 38

Box 38 Folder 1 Posters, 1936

Box 38 Folder 2 to 6 Clippings, 1936-1941, (5 Folders)

Request Box 39

Box 39 Folder 1 Rural Rehabilitation in Region One , 1937

Box 39 Folder 2 to 6 Press Releases--Region 1, 1935-1938, (5 Folders)

Box 39 Folder 7 Press Releases--Region 2-5, 1936-1937

Request Box 40

Box 40 Folder 1 Press Releases--Region 7-8, 1936-1938

Box 40 Folder 2 to 3 Press Releases--Region 9, 1936-1938, (2 Folders)

Box 40 Folder 4 Press Releases--Region 11, 1936-1937

Box 40 Folder 5 Information for the Press, 1936-1937

Box 40 Folder 6 Minutes and Memoranda, 1936-1938

Box 40 Folder 7 Weekly Information Memos, 1937-1938

Subseries 2. Production and Distribution, 1935-1942

These folders contain booking forms and records, notes on distribution.

Request Box 41

Box 41 Folder 1 to 2 Financial Records, 1935-1936, (2 Folders)

Box 41 Folder 3 Old Plow Bills, 1936-1937

Box 41 Folder 4 Lorentz Plow Travel, 1935-1936

Box 41 Folder 5 to 6 Bookings--Commercial, 1936-1938, (2 Folders)

Request Box 42

Box 42 Folder 1 to 2 Bookings--Commercial, 1936-1937, (2 Folders)

Box 42 Folder 3 to 5 Bookings--Non-Commercial, 1936-1937, (3 Folders)

Request Box 43

Box 43 Folder 1 to 4 Bookings--Non-Commercial, 1936-1938, (4 Folders)

Box 43 Folder 5 to 6 Bookings--Reports and Distribution, 1936-1937, (2 Folders)

Request Box 44

Box 44 Folder 1 Bookings--Reports and Distribution, 1937-1939

Box 44 Folder 2 Distribution, 1936-1939

Box 44 Folder 3 Foreign Distribution, 1936-1937

Box 44 Folder 4 Confidential Report, undated

Box 44 Folder 5 Fan Mail, 1936

Box 44 Folder 6 Correspondence--Edwin Locke, 1940

Box 44 Folder 7 Description of Scenes, 1935

Box 44 Folder 8 General Information, 1935

Box 44 Folder 9 Notes on Purpose and Production, undated

Request Box 45

Box 45 Folder 1 Memos and Correspondence, 1936-1942

Box 45 Folder 2 General Information, undated

Box 45 Folder 3 Study Guide, undated

Box 45 Folder 4 Ecological Map, 1935

Box 45 Folder 5 Shooting Script, undated

Box 45 Folder 6 Requests, Prints, Previews, 1938-1939

Box 45 Folder 7 Music and Narration, undated

Box 45 Folder 8 Regional Information, 1936

Box 45 Folder 9 Correspondence--Washington, 1936-1937

Box 45 Folder 10 to 11 Publicity, 1936-1939, undated, (2 Folders)

Subseries 3. Stills, 1935, undated

The stills in this subseries include photos of the crew working on location.

Request Box 46

Box 46 Folder 1 to 2 Stills, 1935, (2 Folders)

Box 46 Folder 3 to 6 Carded Stills, undated, (4 Folders)

Table of Contents

Container List

Series III: The Plow That Broke The Plains, 1935-1942, undated