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Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags

Format: DVD
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
Format NTSC
Runtime 1 hour and 12 minutes
UPC 886470234974
Global Trade Identification Number 00886470234974

Product Description

"Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags" brings to life the vibrant, unexpected history of the Garment District, which for many years was the heart and soul of Midtown Manhattan, but is now in danger of disappearing. For thousands of immigrants the garment industry was a path to their American Dream, but today most of those jobs are gone. A microcosm of the economic and social forces transforming our nation over the past one hundred years, "Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags" tells the story of this vanishing industry through the voices of the people who have experienced its highs and lows.

A must-watch for anyone who wants to understand our current economic problems!

Bonus material: "Save the Garment Center" - Fashion industry activists fight to keep NYC's Garment District alive.

"Levin does a magnificent job."
- Variety

"An engrossing, elegiac history"
- NPR

"Essential viewing"
- Glamour Magazine

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 3.5 ounces
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 12 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ August 18, 2011
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005HZCLEG
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

RBB
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should watch
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
Wonderful! Not only is it very informative about the NYC garment district but about the US manufacturing industry. If you want to learn more about the impact of NAFTA read the new book by Beth Macy (her first book), Factory Man. It is about the devastation of the furniture industry and employment in Virginia & North Carolina. Having worked in my youth in the garment Industry in VA and then about 15 years later the furniture industry, I know firsthand the impact. If more business and industrial heads had the ethics of Mr. Bassett to do whatever if he could to help protect his workers, the US would be a better place to work. His company was family owned so he made decisions based on ethical treatment of his employee "family" that a company that had to ensure profit first would never make
2 people found this helpful
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Silvergrandmother
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overvew of the garment industry in NYC
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2015
Verified Purchase
Excellent overvew of the garment industry in NYC. Tended toward positive bias of the labor unions and it would have been beneficial to have other manufacturing voices other than Russ Toggs spokesperson to present that point of view. Wonderful archival footage and history especially the comparison between the Triangle Shirtwaist Facfory fire and the fire and conditions in India and other offshore sites, particularly the Kathy Lee segment..
Compelling hour and 12 minutes and will serve as a basis for further discussion..
One person found this helpful
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uwenzen jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful clothing history
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
Love the history this film displays
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Little lotus flower
5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic and thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
For a young viewer the beginning of the story might seem distant, irrelevant and old fashioned, but just wait until the narrative takes you to the core of the problem it tries to illustrate, the complexity and confusion of the globalized fashion industry will slowly be dissolved as the winners and losers change of fate become clear.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Could be turn into a Broadway play, "Daughters of ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
Could be turn into a Broadway play, "Daughters of the Rag Trade" ?
Same immigrant story we are seeing today.
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Richie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great History Lesson
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013
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Just a wonderful history lesson of the apparel Manufacturing rise and fall, From The Penthouse to the Outhouse is a couple of decades. A great lesson that we are all responsible for losing a vibrant high energy business to offshore manufacturing.
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csept1
5.0 out of 5 stars Sad but so true...
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2016
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I love how the history of the garment industry was told. I also like how it shows how American manufacturers have left the country.
Nothing is made here anymore...Sad...
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acerlover
5.0 out of 5 stars finally! it's available on dvd
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2012
Verified Purchase
i was thrilled to find this documentary on dvd at last. it is the optimum look at what's going on with american industry. a must watch.
3 people found this helpful
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