Sam Katz was a businessman and three-time mayoral candidate before founding History Making Productions in 2007.
The studio produced numerous films and videos on a range of subjects, picking up a bunch of awards along the way.
Then, COVID came, and the production company’s work came to a temporary halt.
But by 2023, after Katz realized there were no documentaries on Philadelphia’s history, plans began for a series of episodes to honor the city’s legacy.
The money was secured by 2024, and something hit Katz.
“Oh, by the way, the semiquincentennial is coming,” he said.
Katz and his team have been working overtime ever since, and they’ve produced a 10-episode documentary titled In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America.
Katz will be at the Northeast Philadelphia History Fair on Saturday, April 11, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.
There, at 10:45 a.m., he will present an exclusive sneak peek of Episode 3, titled Independence (1763-1790), and engage in a conversation with people afterward.
Independence is one of 10 one-hour episodes that will be shown at various locations and on 6ABC throughout the year.
Episode 1, titled Freedom (to 1700), premiered at the National Constitution Center in February. Episode 2, Land (1700 to 1763), will officially debut April 9 at the Parkway Central Library. Episode 3, Independence, to be shown at the history fair, is also tentatively scheduled to be shown on June 5 at Pennepack Baptist Church.
Episodes 4 through 10 will be shown as the year goes on. They are titled Common Ground (1790-1838), America (1838-1871), Wealth (1871-1917), Renewal (1917-1962), Revolution (1962-68), A Way Out (1968-1990) and Happiness (1990-2025).
“Each episode is in pursuit of something different,” Katz said.
The series is directed by Andrew Ferrett, written by Nathaniel Popkin and narrated by Michael Boatman. Katz is the executive producer.
“It’s History Making Productions’ contribution to the semiquincentennial,” he said. “This is going to be the lasting legacy of the history of Philadelphia.”
The history fair, which is free and open to the public, will also feature a keynote address by Jack McCarthy on Northeast Philadelphia & the Declaration of Independence. There will also be more than three dozen exhibits from local history groups and a collection of books, maps, prints and rare photographs.
The In Pursuit team interviewed more than 300 scholars, journalists, artists, activists and others in making the series. Among those who’ll appear at some point in the series are Frankie Avalon, Jerry Blavat, Jane Golden, Chris Matthews and Andrea Mitchell.
Katz credits his team with adhering to a standard of excellence.
“It’s been an enormous undertaking,” he said. “Every frame of a movie matters.”
Katz described the series as entertaining, fast paced and narrative intensive. He wants people, after watching an episode, to say, “I didn’t know that. That’s really interesting.”
Katz is eager to see the response at the history fair.
“I’m excited to be coming to the Northeast, and I hope people come out,” he said. ••
To view the first episode of In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America or for more information, visit InPursuit.tv
