51. What to do in a gas attack (15:03)

Date:
1943
Main contributors:
Price, Sherman
Summary:
Explains what war gas is, how it is used by the enemy, and how simple household items, such as bicarbonate of soda and bleaching solution, may be used to prevent casualties.

52. When work is done (09:04)

Date:
1943
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
Tells how Sylacauga, Alabama, a small town crowded with war plant workers, solved its housing and recreation problems.

53. Wings up (21:33)

Date:
1943
Main contributors:
United States. Army Air Forces. Motion Picture Unit, 1st
Summary:
The story of the twelve weeks of discipline, concentrated study and hard work leading to graduation from the Officers' Candidate School of the U.S. Army Air Forces and the rank of second lieutenant.

54. A letter from Bataan (14:21)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Shane, Maxwell, 1905-1983
Summary:
A Hollywood short aiding the war effort, emphasizing the need for preparedness and conservation of materials, i.e. rubber, metal, shellac. An American soldier writes home from Bataan, and while his family reads the letter, the soldier's ghostly apparition interjects statistics about food and equipment shortages.

55. A new fire bomb (08:46)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Civilian Defense
Summary:
Describes and provides information about methods of defense regarding a recently developed type of German explosive fire bomb. In dramatic reenactments, wardens and civilians are warned to keep away from bombs that have fallen in the street. Various methods are shown for attacking bombs that have fallen in houses. The film demonstrates ways of applying water while taking advantage of the protection of brick walls.

56. An air raid warden's report (10:50)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Civilian Defense
Summary:
Shows the importance of accuracy in the information a warden collects at the scene of disaster and the exact manner in which he should transmit information to the control.

57. Fundamentals of end cutting tools (12:03)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education
Summary:
Discusses radius, threading, sheer-cut finishing, round-nosed finishing, and side-facing tools. Demonstrates the correct setting of the tools and the type of cut each makes.

58. Japs bomb U.S.A.! (09:43)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Castle Films, inc.
Summary:
"Newsreel pictures of the attack of Dec. 7, 1941, on Pearl Harbor. Closes with America's ringing answer to the enemy challenge." (War Films Bulletin of the Extension Division Indiana University, February, 1943, 5). This American newsreel portrays the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of the strike. Includes footage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's December 8th "Infamy" speech in front of a joint session of Congress.

59. Know your enemy--Japan! (14:47)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Knox, Gordon, 1906-1992
Summary:
"Produced in cooperation with the Institute of Pacific Relations, this film answers such vital questions as: How large in the Japanese Empire? Is Japan self-sufficient in food? What is Japan's naval and military strength? What are the living standards of the Japanese people? What are Japan's vital weaknesses? How can Japan be defeated?"--War Films Bulletin of the Extension Division Indiana University, February, 1943.

60. Ready on the home front (23:56)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Constable, J. M.
Summary:
Presents the general aims of the civilian defense program during World War II. Describes the training and duties of the air raid warden. Closes with a proclamation by Governor Schricker.

61. Report from Russia (08:00)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures.
Summary:
Tells of the energy, the courage, and the efforts of the Russians behind the front lines in World War II. Shows the holding and striking power of Russia.

63. Scraping flat surfaces (13:20)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Education
Summary:
Shows how surface plates are used to check the flatness of surfaces, types of scrapers, how to remove high spots, and how to determine when a surface is scraped flat.

65. The price of freedom (14:52)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Keech, Kelvin, 1895-1977
Summary:
This film "outlines the role that industry is playing in our war effort. Production of munitions and the operation of the payroll withdrawal plan for War Bonds are among the subjects treated." (Free Film Reviews, Movie Makers, January, 1943, 34.) Includes footage from a number of International Harvester factories and how the company's workers save money from their paycheck to help the war effort through a company-wide payroll savings plan.

66. The Trimbles of Maple Street (15:10)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Dick, Sheldon
Summary:
Dramatizes the conservation of war materials by residents of a typical town. Explains how the war effort is helped by sharing rides and collecting tin cans and other salvage. Explains the organization of civilian defense units and shows a neighborhood meeting.

67. The work of the rescue unit (14:24)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of Civilian Defense
Summary:
Presents the training of civilians for rescue work during World War II. Shows the procedures for assigning volunteers to the type of work for which they are prepared and training them to perform as a unit. Follows a squad from the sounding of the alarm, going to the scene, surveying the wreckage and taking notes, and tunneling for buried victims, to the orderly departure of the squad from the scene.

68. U.S. news review. Issue no. 2 (18:51)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
News stories include civilians giving up travel to enable the movement of soldiers, how a truck operates as a laundry at the front, the highway from Seattle through Canada to Alaska is completed, a report on the campaign in New Guinea, a sing-along version of The Marines' Hymn.

69. U.S. news review. Issue no. 3 (19:26)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
News stories include the introduction of the Mosquito reconnaissance bomber, the war in New Guinea, urging those at home to repair appliances as new ones are not available, the bombing on Naples, Italy, a letter to his fellow workers from machinist Arthur Hocking whose son has been killed in the war urging them to do everything possible to wind up the war, the United States Coast Guard song is played over scenes of Coast Guard life.

70. U.S. news review. Issue no. 5 (15:47)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
Newsreel contains stories about Veronica Lake getting her hair cut to promote worker safety, how absence from factory jobs can affect soldiers, how women going to war is affecting the care of children, British planes bomb Bremen, a sing-along version of the Army Air Corps song.

71. View of the Soviet world. (11:59)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Caldwell, Erskine, 1903-1987
Summary:
Erskine Caldwell, American novelist and reporter, interviewed before leaving Moscow, briefly tells of the civilian defense work he witnessed. Scenes showing how the Russians are carrying out their pledge of "All for Victory!" including efforts in huge metallurgical plants, the oil industry, the rapid harvest, nurses drilling, and Red Cross work.

72. Washington in war time (09:46)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Castle, Eugene W.
Summary:
A review of life in our nation's capital operating under the stress of war. Reports on the sudden increase in the city's population during wartime. Shows President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull receiving visiting dignitaries, including Winston Churchill and Vyacheslav Molotov. Brief appearances and addresses by the following: Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr., War Production Board Chairman Donald M. Nelson, War Conservation Board Chairman Paul V. McNutt, General George C. Marshall, Secretary of War Henry Stimson, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox , Admiral Ernest Joseph King, Commissioner of Education Dr. J.W. Studebaker, California Congressman Thomas Rolph, and General James Doolittle. Concludes with an address by President Roosevelt to the 28 Allied nations.

73. Western front (20:22)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Wilding Picture Productions
Summary:
Begins with a short summary of American attitudes to the War in Europe and how the U.S. underestimated the militaristic tendencies of the Japanese. Argues that the Chinese have been fighting World War II longer than any other allied nation and should be considered one of America's chief allies. Describes America's effort to supply allied nations in the Pacific with war materials. The desperate need of the Chinese people is stressed. Scenes include the carrying of supplies over the Burma Road and the bombing of Chinese cities.

74. Winning your wings (18:32)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
Stewart, James, 1908-1997
Summary:
Starring Lt. James Stewart, this WWII recruitment film shows jobs, training and education provided to men between the ages of 18 and 26 who enlist in the U.S. Army Air Forces.

75. Youth farm volunteers (04:57)

Date:
1942
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
Shows how the Extension Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture helped recruit and place young people from towns and cities on farms during World War II to combat farm labor shortage.

76. A few ounces a day (06:39)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Alexander, Donald, 1913-1993
Summary:
This film uses diagrams to illustrate the importance of salvaging common everyday items in an effort to reuse important raw materials for building ships. The film asserts that one day's salvage by the whole British people counteracts the loss of one ship. An emphasis is put on "The importance of salvage to the flow of goods; [and] various examples of useful materials commonly thrown away."--War Films, Bulletin of the Extension Division, Indiana University, February, 1943.

77. Building a bomber : a defense report on film (19:10)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
United States. Office for Emergency Management
Summary:
"Step-by-step manufacture and assembly of the B-26 medium bomber in the Glenn Martin plant at Baltimore."--War Films, Bulletin of the Extension Division, Indiana University, February, 1943.

78. It's up to us (10:39)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
General Motors Corporation
Summary:
Focuses on the conservation of important natural elements such as rubber, oil and metal needed to support the U.S. Victory Program. Viewers are shown various ways in which they can change daily habits to get the most out of these materials.

79. London fire raids : 29th-30th December 1940 (11:42)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Walker, Bob Danvers
Summary:
Describes the first fire raid on the City of London on the night of December 29, 1940. Opening sequences in the film are taken from the roof of St. Paul's Cathedral. They show the London fire brigade working in the midst of blazing buildings and streets. Closing daylight sequences show the visible destruction of Guild Hall, St. Lawrence Jewry, St. Brides church and innumerable warehouses.

80. Mr. Proudfoot shows a light (08:00)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Howard, Sydney, 1885-1946
Summary:
Humorously using the arrogant and bumbling Mr. Proudfoot, this film serves a dual purpose of emphasizing the importance of obeying blackout hours, as well as easing the stress of the time period by encouraging laughter.

81. The battle of brains (12:23)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Hawes, Stanley, 1905-1991
Summary:
"This film illustrates the difference between World War II and the war of 1914, emphasizing the importance of mechanization, and contrasting the mobile tactics with the immobility of trench warfare. The scientific approach, both to problems of military strategy and to new weapons, is all-important. The film shows some of the work done by Canadian scientists to make these weapons as effective as possible."--National Film Board of Canada description.

82. The children see it thru (07:51)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Fletcher, Yvonne, 1917-
Summary:
A British production made as a fund raising appeal to American audiences to aid British children affected by the Blitz. The film depicts the hardships of life during wartime for children and discusses the relief efforts of the Save the Children Federation.

83. Venture adventure (07:43)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Hasse, Charles, 1904-2002
Summary:
Short film on the Air Training Corps of the British Royal Air Force, showing recruiting, enlistment and training.

84. Women at war (10:08)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Hemingway, Mary Welsh, 1908-1986
Summary:
Produced for an American audience, the film explores the role of women in the war effort and thanks America for sending relief bundles to the victims of the London Blitz. Shows British women caring for evacuee children, working in the land army, as ambulance drivers and auto mechanics, in defense factories, ferrying planes for the R.A.F., and operating rest centers.

85. Words for battle (07:54)

Date:
1941
Main contributors:
Olivier, Laurence, 1907-1989
Summary:
Laurence Olivier's reading of passages from Milton, William Blake, Robert Browning, Rudyard Kipling and Abraham Lincoln accompany scenes of daily life in wartime Britain. The texts selected emphasize national identity and heritage, patriotism, and the justness of the Allied cause.

86. Airscrew (21:07)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Tharp, Grahame, 1912-
Summary:
This short nonfiction film depicts the intensive testing that goes into developing and producing aircraft propellers. It opens with the whirring or propeller blades. Animated diagrams show how the bite of the propeller moves it through the air and how the pitch determines the size of the bite. A trip through an airplane factory shows the manufacture of a satisfactory alloy. The rest of the process is painstaking hand work interspersed with dozens of careful inspections. The operation of the variable pitch mechanism and its use in taking off and cruising is shown. Then the propeller is assembled the complete job is tested for balance.

87. Goofer trouble (07:20)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Elvey, Maurice, 1887-1967
Summary:
"Short fictional film asking people to keep under cover during air raids. A group of English and Canadian fighter pilots report the number of German planes they have each shot down. The rivalry between the British and Canadian pilots is intense and later in the pilot's hut one of the English pilots is asked why he did not "kill" a German plane when he had the chance. He replies that the problem was "Goofer trouble". "Goofers" are seen leaving a shelter to watch a dog fight. Because these "Goofers" were in the street the pilot could not open fire without running the risk of hitting them."--British Film Institute website.

88. Health in war (13:19)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Jackson, Pat, 1916-2011
Summary:
"Offers revealing insights into the re-structuring of health services in London and elsewhere in Britain following the outbreak of WWII ... The film is broadly divided into three parts. The opening sequence looks at the advances made so far in the battle against sickness and disease, brought about through slum clearance, preventative and curative medicine and research. The middle section describes the re-organisation of existing services in preparation for air raid casualties, with the redeployment of city centre hospitals for emergency services and first aid, and the movement of convalescent, maternity and evacuation hospitals further out into the country. The final section uses pictures of happy, healthy children running free in the English countryside to remind cinema audiences of what Britain is fighting for."--British Film Institute website.

89. Into the blue (10:39)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Catling, Darrel, 1909-1991
Summary:
Shows how young airmen are trained by the R.A.F. Not only is the standard training such as solo flying shown, but also learning Morse code, navigation lectures, and special bombardier and fighter pilot training.

90. Siege (09:50)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Bryan, Julien H. (Julien Hequembourg), 1899-1974
Summary:
Presents a vivid record, uncensored by military authorities, of the 1939 siege and fall of Warsaw.

91. They also serve (07:48)

Date:
1940
Main contributors:
Grierson, Ruby, 1904-1940
Summary:
"Story of an average wartime housewife whose dawn to dusk activities provide support for the duties of soldiers and defence workers."--BFI website.