51. Out of bed into action (15:36)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Air Forces. First Motion Picture Unit
Summary:
This film outlines the convalescent training program for hospitalized U.S. airmen in World War II. It is designed to acquaint the convalescent with the program in which he will take part. Patients are shown in their beds, doing light calisthenics in the wards, exercising specific muscles using specially designed equipment, exercising and playing games out-of-doors, and engaging in hobbies and crafts. Other aspects of the program involve convalescents sharing wartime experiences with their fellow patients, teaching them new material and new skills, brushing up on their old skills acquired on duty, taking courses, and even earning degrees. The program also includes updates and discussions on the war, watching duty-related films, and engaging in purely social activities. The circulation and blood supply to various parts of the body are shown in animation.

53. Battle wreckage (10:09)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Pictorial Service
Summary:
Explains why large quantities of war materials, in particular steel, are needed for the war effort. Shows the sea battle and beachhead landing of the Normandy invasion.

54. RAF & 8th Air Force report from Britain (07:02)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Pictorial Service
Summary:
"Includes a report from Britain showing the RAF and the 8th Air Force on a hedgehopping bomber flight over France and Germany, and the 5th Air Force report from New Guinea." ("News and Notes," Educational Screen, June, 1944, 266.) Shows a film clip claiming to be an "Official German Newsreel," with footage of American planes that have been shot down and have crashed onto German soil. Shows how Germans salvage metal from these American aircraft to use for their own war effort and explains that each crashed plane is indicative of loss of soldiers' lives.

55. The case of the tremendous trifle (20:01)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army. Signal Corps
Summary:
Shows to the men and women of American industry the vital importance to the war effort of all the little parts that they are making. Discusses the importance of ball bearings to the Nazi war effort and the Allied strategy of crippling the bearings industry. Shows the planning and intelligence gathering that led to the bombing of ball bearing factories in Schweinfurt.

56. The Earthmovers (14:07)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army. Signal Corps
Summary:
Shows heavy equipment of all types used by the Corps of Engineers and the Seabees during World War II. Describes how the "work power" of military construction units clears beaches of mines, constructs new roads, builds bridges and airstrips, and sets up water purification systems. Contrasts the pre-technological building techniques of China, India, and Africa with the technological might of the U.S. military.

57. Kids Must Eat (16:06)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Department of Agriculture, Office of Information, Motion Picture Service
Summary:
An episode of the popular "Quiz Kids" radio program introduces the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school lunch program. The four precocious children, ages 7 to 12, demonstrate knowledge of Shakespeare, chemistry, math and geography as they answer a series of quiz questions given by host Joe Kelly. Concludes with a message from the host about importance of adequate and healthy food for schoolchildren. Showing women in wartime factory jobs, the narrator states "in busy America many mothers perform many necessary jobs outside the home, but we must never become too busy to feed our children." Community groups are called upon to sponsor school lunch programs with the support of the Department of Agriculture.

58. Saving the Garden Crop (12:18)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Department of Agriculture, United States. Office of Information. Motion Picture Service, Wilding Picture Productions : produced by
Summary:
Shows methods of winter storage for produce grown in wartime Victory gardens. Provides demonstrations of how to achieve necessary temperature and moisture conditions for storing various vegetables by using attic space, construction of a storage room in the cellar, sunken barrels and insulated earthen mounds. "In the opening scene we find Mother and Father, Judy and Jimmy deep in the study of seed catalogs, preparatory to planting their victory garden. The picture passes quickly to the happy harvest time when Mother wonders what they will do with all the surplus vegetables. Father decides to store them. The film then demonstrates the best method of storing onions, beans, peas, apples, beets, carrots, salsify, squash, pumpkins, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, and cabbage" (Motion Pictures of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1945, 47). As this family exemplifies the industrious spirit of Victory gardening, narration states "in pantry and store room, in pit and mound, they have tangible proof of their husbandry."

59. Grassland (09:07)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Service
Summary:
Presents problems of soil conservation and overgrazing in the western U.S. Narration states "the problem of saving the grasslands is before us," showing that careless management has resulted in the depletion of this vital natural resource. "This range, once capable of supporting 22,000,000 animal units, can now carry only half that number. Overstocking results in over-grazing. When the land is stripped of vegetation, erosion begins. How to prevent over-grazing, and restore areas of desolation to productivity is the problem presented in this film. Interesting photography of sheep and cattle on the range" (Motion Pictures of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1945, 42).

60. Wetlands (10:39)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Service
Summary:
A USDA production conveying the department's policy recommendations for the development of unusable wetlands into productive agricultural land. Narration explains that, for much of the year, land with "too much water with nowhere to go" is rendered unsuitable for farming. Engineering the draining of 31 million acres for the creation of productive agricultural land represents "one of the last great frontiers of America." Various drainage techniques are explained in detail: ditches, tile systems, and the creation of mole channels. "Shows where our 120 million acres of wet land are located. Points out that 78 million of these acres will serve us best if left in their natural state for the production of timber and the preservation of wildlife. Thirty-one million acres are shown to be suited to farming if properly drained. A section of the film illustrates briefly the principal types of water control and methods of land drainage. Through the use of these methods, farmers, working together, can improve drainage on land now being farmed, and bring into production land that is now too wet for any production at all. Recommended audiences: Farmers in Atlantic Seaboard and Gulf States; Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Valleys" (Motion Pictures of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1945, 46).

61. The Supervisor As Leader [part 2] (13:00)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education. Division of Visual Aids , United States. Federal Security Agency, Caravel Films, Inc.
Summary:
Narration asks, and answers, the question: "what does a man need to have, outside of experience, to be a good leader?" Experienced supervisors discuss the qualities of good leadership with dramatized workplace scenes to illustrate. A machine operator promoted to group leader undergoes a change in personality with his newly gained status, causing resentment by his displays of authority. Shows that "a real leader never hesitates to praise a man for a job well done."

62. Working With Other Supervisors (07:20)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education. Division of Visual Aids, United States. Federal Security Agency, Mode-Art Pictures, Inc.
Summary:
Dramatized scenarios in a machine shop workplace illustrate common problems arising between supervisors. "Larry Daniels fails as a supervisor because he does not recognize the importance of working harmoniously with other people, particularly with his fellow supervisors" (U.S. Government Films, U.S. Office of Education, 1954, 214). Concludes with a group of supervisors conversing in the locker room as they ask "I wonder if a guy like Larry should be a supervisor?"

63. Maintaining Workers' Interest (11:27)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education. Division of Visual Aids, United States. Federal Security Agency, Caravel Films, Inc.
Summary:
Explains that the job of the supervisor includes preventing problems caused by a worker's loss of interest in the job. Narration explains "one of the most powerful spurs to production is the interest of the worker in his job." Shows various scenarios leading to loss of worker interest: monotony of the job, lack of advancement, a sense of failure in the job that is beyond the worker's control, a failure to appreciate the importance of the job, among others. Remedies for each of these scenarios are suggested.

64. Supervising Workers on the Job (10:20)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education. Division of Visual Aids, United States. Federal Security Agency, Caravel Films, Inc.
Summary:
Dramatizing a variety of poor workplace supervision practices, the film points out their flaws and suggests better approaches. Narration states "employees new in industry need special attention" and points out tactful approaches for supervisors to use in training. "Dramatized incidents illustrating good and poor methods of supervision, including the necessity for obtaining the confidence of workers and the dangers of 'snoopervising'" (U.S. Government Films, U.S. Office of Education, 1954, 184).

65. Maintaining Quality Standards (10:02)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education. Division of Visual Aids, United States. Federal Security Agency, Mode-Art Pictures : produced by
Summary:
Set in a typical wartime factory, the film discusses the supervisor's need to keep up production quantities while meeting quality standards. Narration states "quality work, like a mirror, reflects the one who produces it." Points emphasized include: the necessity for proper instruction of workers, making sure the right tools are provided and correctly used, matching the right man to the job, workers must have "job pride," the supervisor must assure that technical specifications are being met. "Bert Bowdler, a supervisor, learns that quality as well as quantity production is necessary, and how such quality standards can be achieved and maintained" (U.S. Government Films, U.S. Office of Education, 1954, 109).

66. Three cities (10:44)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
How workers in three American cities solved wartime living problems in 1944.

67. Film Communique: Seventh Issue (21:40)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. War Department, The Signal Corps : produced by, Combat film units of Marines, Army Airforces, United States Navy
Summary:
Addressed to "the men and women of American Industry," the Film Communique series reports on military accomplishments to an audience of domestic workers producing materials for war. Composed of three short segments: Burma Outpost Shows the air dropping of supplies for the 10th Air Force Division at outposts in the hills of Burma's border. Private Snafu: The Home Front Cartoon intended for servicemen is here presented for civilian audiences. Private Snafu imagines his loved ones loafing and enjoying life, oblivious of his hardships. A fairy appears to show him the diligent war work going on back in his home town. What Makes A Battle Shows the strategy and battles involved in the first land penetration of Japanese-held Marshall Islands, part of the campaign for the 32 Marshall Island atolls.

68. Film Communique: Eighth Issue (20:34)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. War Department, The Signal Corps : produced by, Combat film units of Marines, Army Airforces, United States Navy
Summary:
Addressed to "the men and women of American Industry," the Film Communique series reports on military accomplishments to an audience of domestic workers producing materials for war. Composed of five short segments: Cape Gloucester Jan 18 1944 Title card reads "1st Marine Division. Photo by Lt. R.S. Carter 7th Marines - leaving front - 23 day & nites in same clothes - fighting Japs - U.S.M.C." candid footage of battle-weary marines presented without commentary. R.A.F. and 8th Air Force Report From Britain An aerial photographer follows daring French pilots of the R.A.F., flying at low altitude to evade radar detection, attacking a Nazi target in American-built A-20 bombers. A 5th Air Force Report From New Guinea shows the ingenuity of ground crew men in repairing battle-damaged planes at an air depot in New Guinea. A Few Quick Facts animated sequence shows the distance a rifle bullet must travel before it reaches the Pacific battle lines to be fired at an enemy soldier. A Fifth Army Report From The Beachhead shows the surprise invasion at Anzio, Italy, commentary describes "one of the boldest and toughest combined operations fought by the Fifth Army on the blood-soaked Italian boot." [see standalone short: http://collections.libraries.iub.edu/IULMIA/items/show/93]

71. Is Your Trip Necessary (02:09)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry : distributed and exhibited by
Summary:
A short bulletin urging people to travel only when absolutely necessary in order that space can be saved for millions of troops and millions of essential civilian war workers. States that every non-essential traveler may be preventing a serviceman from joining his family during the holiday season. Civilians are told "on every highway and mainline, war has the right of way" and "we've got a battle of transportation to win here in the U.S., you can help to win it just by staying home."

72. This Too Is Sabotage (25:53)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
War Food Administration, Nutrition and Conservation Branch, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co.
Summary:
In This Too Is Sabotage narration states "the saboteur is malnutrition," showing underlying causes of workplace accidents, lost man-hours, and losses in wartime productivity are often caused by the poor nutrition of workers' diets. Announcing "we're fighting against improper eating," a wartime nutritional program built from 7 food groups is detailed. At a dramatized presentation demonstrating meal planning following these nutritional guidelines before an audience of women, the presenter states that the guidelines "will help us with the job that has been given to us women, as the guardians of the vigor and vitality of our families." "In the field of nutrition, the Westinghouse Company's film, This Too Is Sabotage, does a good job of selling the fact that a well-balanced diet is essential to health and happiness. This film is shown to employees in over a thousand war plants. The lunch hour is a favored time. Pre-shift showings to early arrivals are well attended, though many prefer to stay after a shift" (C.A. Lindstrom, "Agricultural Pictures and the War" Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers vol. 42, no. 3, March, 1944, p. 183)