Think about the world in the early 1960s. Political and social upheaval were rampant. People feared nuclear war. A U.S. President was assassinated. The Berlin Wall was rising in Germany. Issues in Vietnam were escalating. And, the battle for civil rights raged throughout America.
Against that backdrop of pessimism and fear, H.F. wanted to offer a up film that would share a vision of peace, understanding and the joy of being alive.
It was a pretty unconventional idea, and not one his executive team fully understood. Sam told the story like this: “My father wanted the best documentary film-maker around, just as he had wanted the best architect and landed Frank Lloyd Wright. He found that the film-maker he sought was Francis Thompson.”
“The rest of us had little idea of what had transpired between them. And we were already upset with the basic idea of spending $5 million on the fair. All we knew about the film was that it would be upbeat and would concern life in the United States and abroad.”
But when the team questioned the decision, as company legend goes, H.F. simply looked at them and said, “Gentlemen, some decisions are only for the brave.” And he walked out.