The Negro soldier / the War Department presents ; produced by the War Department, Special Service Division, Army Service Forces, with the cooperation of the Signal Corps.

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Date
1944
Main contributor
Capra, Frank, 1897-1991
Summary
"This War Department enlistment film aims to recruit African Americans in its World War II engagement. The documentary has as its framework a black minister's explanation to his congregation of the reasons they should join the armed forces to fight the Nazis. The viewer sees historical re-enactments of African Americans as valued participants in U.S. armed conflicts dating from the American Revolution. Scenes also detail Black accomplishments in the country's history, with footage of Blacks as they served as judges and school teachers, conducted orchestras, played football, and served the U.S. Army in World War II. Footage is included of Jesse Owens and other Blacks as they competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "The Negro Soldier" was produced by Frank Capra and directed by Stuart Heisler, with music by Dimitri Tiomkin."--National Archives and Records Administration description.
Contributors
Capra, Frank, 1897-1991; Heisler, Stuart, 1894-1979; Moss, Carlton; Tiomkin, Dimitri, 1894-1979; Woolford, Bertha; United States. War Department.; United States. War Department. Special Services Division.; United States. Army Service Forces.; United States. Army. Signal Corps.; National Audiovisual Center; Glenn Miller Army Air Force Orchestra.; Indiana University, Bloomington. Audio-Visual Center
Publishers
U.S. War Department; Released by National Audiovisual Center
Genres
Propaganda films.; Educational films.; Nonfiction films.; Feature films.
Subjects
United States. Army; African American troops; African American soldiers; World War, 1939-1945; Participation, African American; Military participation
Location
United States
Collection
IUL Moving Image Archive
Unit
IUL Moving Image Archive
Language
English
Physical Description
1 film reel (42 min.) : sound, black and white ; 16 mm
Notes
Shorter version (20 min.) also issued.
Additional credits taken from NARA website and IMDb.
DVD copy available.

Creation/Production Credits

Producer, Frank Capra; director, Stuart Heisler; writer, Carlton Moss; music, Army Air Forces Orchestra; musical director, Dimitri Tiomkin.

Performers

Carlton Moss (minister); Bertha Wolford (mother).

Statement of Responsibility

the War Department presents ; produced by the War Department, Special Service Division, Army Service Forces, with the cooperation of the Signal Corps.
Other Identifiers
: ocm05613519; LCCN: 75700799; OCLC: ocm05613519; OCLC: 5613519

Access Restrictions

This item is accessible by: the public.