Selective Service: Time to Go
This 1950’s propaganda film explains the necessity of the draft to persuade young men to comply with registering with the US Selective Services.
MORE ...Your Job in Germany
Directed by It’s A Wonderful Life’s Frank Capra and written by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, produced by the United States Information & Education Division of the Army Services Forces in 1946, this authentic film proposes, “War with Germany ends in victory, victory leads to peace … Sometimes … Sometimes not.”
MORE ...Civil Disturbances: Principles of Control
Civil disobedience is usually, but not always, defined as being nonviolent resistance. In its most nonviolent form (in India, known as ahimsa or satyagraha) it could be said that it is compassion in the form of respectful disagreement. One of its earliest massive implementations was brought about by Egyptians against the British occupation in the […]
MORE ...Report on Korea
In this newsreel from 1953, visit the demilitarized zone on the Korea peninsula during the height of the Cold War. As a frigid truce continues between North Korea and South Korea, UN troops provided by India take on their role assisting allies in the struggle to keep the red tide of the DPRK at bay. […]
MORE ...Military Science Tests Nukes
In this short piece from 1953, experience the raw power of nuclear weaponry. Watch the US government test soldiers in the unbearable heat of California’s deserts to observe the effects on men and equipments, launched from the barrel of a mobile cannon. MILITARY SCIENCE Tough Test for Men and Equipment Amid temperatures averaging 120 degrees […]
MORE ...Anatomy Of A Murder World Premiere
Anatomy of a Murder, directed by Otto Preminger in 1959, was based on a novel by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker writing under the pseudonym Robert Traver. Starring James Stewart, Ben Gazzara, Lee Remick, George C. Scott, and Duke Ellington, who wrote the soundtrack,Anatomy of a Murder was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best […]
MORE ...A History of SF & Oakland Streetcars
1945’s March of Progress, produced by the Key System, a privately owned streetcar system owned by business magnate Francis “Borax” Smith, lays out a selective albeit fascinating historical view of a growing California. Take a trip from the early years of Spanish missions and Gold Rush boomtowns to the modern era, where cities like San Francisco […]
MORE ...Arctic Ice Cap Adventure
ARCTIC ICE CAP ADVENTURE From the forbidding frontier of the arctic icecap at the top of the world, come rare films made by a task force of army engineers. Amid eternal snow and cold, military and civilian personnel are finding out how to erect settlements on the icecap. How to conquer an area vital to […]
MORE ...Trailer: The Amazing Transparent Man
Sprung from prison! The nation’s most daring criminal! “Why’d you setup the break?” “Because I can use you.” Held captive. Today’s most advanced scientist! “This machine utilizes x-ray, ultraviolet, and alpha-beat and omega rays.” Together they create “The Amazing Transparent Man.” This man is a killer! “Owww!” Mad with dreams of fantastic power! “We’re conducting […]
MORE ...Frank Westphal’s Orchestra: Sing You Sinners
In this soundie from the early 1930’s, Frank Westphal’s Orchestra performs Sing You Sinners live on WENR Chicago. Westphal, a native to Chicago, began his career as a pianist-for-hire in vaudeville around 1910. It was during his time on the circuit that the up-and-coming performer met the great singer Sophie Tucker who hired him as […]
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