The COMPLETE WWII
Films
LIBRARY COLLECTION, 7 DVD's |
This collection aims to
document World War II using film. Actual War footage
is used in many of these productions. You will see
what the nation went through during this difficult time in
our history and how a post depression country united and
fought back against the evil on this earth. During
some of the darkest days of mankind, we stood united won
against a force so evil, it will forever be known as one of
America's greatest triumphs.
Some of these films are sincere and true. Yet, some
are the finest pieces of propaganda ever produced by our
government. In any case, they are a national treasure,
to be cherished and viewed by generations to come.
Great for scholars, teachers, and students alike. Is a
great companion to many of our other WWII film and newsreel
collections, please see our other auctions.
This collection on
7 DVD's contains 62
films, that runs a total of approx 14 hours!.
Each DVD comes with a full interactive menu. A list of
films in this collection is as follows: |
DVD 1 |
A Challenge to Democracy
1944
Government-produced film attempting to defend the massive
internment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps
during World War II.
Sound, B&W, 18:03 |
|
A Letter from Bataan 1944
A soldier pleads to the folks to
home to conserve scarce wartime resources. Our film
first starts out over-seas WWII where solders are ambushed
and badly wounded because shortages of supplies, the next
scene is in the operating room where our boy "Johnny" dies
of shortages of antithetic while doc attempting amputation.
The rest of the film shows the folks at home when they
receive a letter from "Johnny" and a telegram informing them
of his unfortunate death.
Sound, B&W, 14:12 |
|
All Out for Victory 1943
Contributions of handicapped and
disabled workers to World War II industrial production.
Blind workers unravel the ends of parachute straps, a
one-armed man operates a one-handed hole-punching machine,
deaf workers work in the noisiest part of the factory,
elderly men come out of retirement to offer their well-honed
skills, and, of course, women are everywhere.
Sound, B&W, 20:48 |
|
As the twig is bent 1943
On the problem of youth crime
during World War II and the fear that America would lose a
generation of children to delinquency. In 1943
America, as the War was still raging on, America feared for
it's kids, for they were hanging out in shady bars,
listening to the jukebox, girls becoming victory girls, and
so on. This film will stop your children's reckless
behavior, and teach them to be normal citizens of society!
Sound, B&W, 10:49 |
|
Birth of the B-29
This is the Master Hands of
World War II, with narration Norman Corwin would have been
proud of. It tells the story of how the huge B-29
Superfortress bombers were made in huge factories staffed by
workers from all walks of life. The visuals and the stirring
narration work together to create a masterful piece of
propaganda in that bombastic, yet lyrical style that is
peculiar to the form. As is usual for war propaganda, the
film starts with some frankly racist commentary about the
Japanese designed to inspire hatred for the enemy. Then we
get to see the B-29s being built in huge factories––this is
really great factory tour footage. When the workers suddenly
stop working and look to the skys to hear the "music" of the
bombers going through the air, audience members' hearts
probably swelled with patriotic pride. The part at the end
where the narrator talks about this new, big bomber
requiring a "new kind of air force" stimulates disturbing
images of a future Cold War. This film is essential for
collectors of World War II propaganda and is a great piece
of history.
Sound, B&W, 20:10 |
|
Campus on the March 1942
This WWII-era film shows us in
great detail how colleges across the nation are preparing
for war. Mostly it involves doing lots of military training,
along with training women to assume jobs usually done by men
(what a radical concept!). Lots of scenes of military units
marching around college greens are shown. One segment
features an African-American college, which was unusual for
the time this film was made (not unusual in the sense of
existing––there were and are lots of such colleges––but that
it was put into a film designed for mainstream audiences).
Sound, B&W, 18:29 |
|
Close Harmony 1942
General Motors made this wartime
film to explain to the general public why it was taking so
long for factories to retool for war production. A guy in a
barbershop explains to everybody in the shop that retooling
involves not only installing new machinery, but getting new
materials, drawing up new manufacturing plans, and
retraining workers. In case this gets boring, there’s an
African-American porter present to provide comic relief in
the form of racist stereotypes. This film has the breezy Jam
Handy style applied to wartime content, which means its
fairly campy, though the main character’s lecture gets
tedious after awhile. It does have quite a bit of historical
interest in that it gives you an idea of some of the rumors
going around about war production in the early days of the
war.
Sound, B&W, 11:03 |
|
Conquer by the Clock 1943
Strident WWII propaganda film
that warns war workers of the danger of slacking off, even
for a second. Occasional periods of R & R are shown to have
dire consequences for the soldiers fighting the war. I guess
they hadn’t heard of the concept of burnout yet. This makes
the film pretty campy. A quintessential propaganda piece
with some striking modernistic visuals.
Sound, B&W, 10:40 |
|
Curtiss Wright Shorts
1944 Short screen ads
recruiting workers for aircraft manufacturing during World
War II.
Sound, B&W, 8:58 |
|
Every Minute Counts 1944
Balancing work and family in a
time of heightened mobilization.
Sound, B&W, 10:14 |
|
DVD 2 |
Combat America 1945
Follows the Flying Fortress
crews of the 351st Bombardment Group from the end of their
training at a Colorado training field to actual combat over
Germany. In this highly romanticized flick about air
bombers, air fighting footage is mixed in with obvious
renactments (by the soldiers themselves!) of life at war.
Narrated by Clark Gable, who narrated this film as his
contribution to the war effort.
4 Parts, Sound, Color,
1:01:40 |
|
Our Enemy, The Japanese
1943 Stridently
anti-Japanese film that attempts to convey an understanding
of Japanese life and philosophy so that the U.S. may more
readily defeat its enemy. Depicts the Japanese as
"primitive, murderous and fanatical." With many images of
1930s and 1940s Japan, and a portentous and highly negative
narration by Joseph C. Grew, former U.S. ambassador to
Japan.
Sound, B&W, 19:51 |
|
Ring of Steel 1941
U.S. armed forces protect the
homefront. Directed by Garson Kanin; spoken by Spencer
Tracy; written by Wallace Russell; music by Morton Gould;
produced by Philip Martin, Jr. for The Office for Emergency
Management Film Unit; edited by Robert Jahns; photographed
by Carl Pryer, Ray Foster, Louis Tumola.
Sound, B&W, 8:39 |
|
To the People of the
United States 1944
Public education film on combatting the epidemic of sexually
transmitted diseases, especially syphilis, in World War II.
Jean Hersholt,the great humanitarian and character actor
hosts this 1944 public information film about stopping
venereal diseases. Bit parts are played by Robert Mitchum
and Noah Beery, as well as many other recognizable actors of
the that time. For the audience of that era, it effectively
got the message across. A slick production. Directed by
Arthur Lubin, and produced by Walter Wanger.
Sound, B&W, 21:21 |
|
Wartime Nutrition 1943
Wartime work of public welfare
agencies in the field of nutrition. An excellent
historic film showing civilian suggestions in maintaining
good health in W.W.II.
Sound, B&W, 10:22 |
|
World at War 1942
A feature length motion
picture presenting step-by-step the events which led up to
Pearl Harbor and total war. History, filmed as it happened,
shows the massacre of Ethiopia, the invasion of Austria and
Czechoslovakia, the blitz of Poland, the tragic fall of
France. Material was taken from secret government archives.
2 Parts, Sound, B&W, 43:19 |
|
DVD
3 |
Divide and Conquer 1943
"Divide and Conquer," Chapter
III of Frank Capra's "Why We Fight" series, begins with
Britain and France's declaration of war on Germany after
Hitler's invasion of Poland. The film covers the Nazi
capture of Denmark and Norway, steps necessary to mount a
future attack on Britain, then describes in detail Hitler's
strategy as he conquers Luxembourg, Belgium and the
Netherlands. Special attention is paid to Nazi atrocities.
Dead and injured children are shown en masse and the film
explains how the bombing of Rotterdam leads to "thirty
thousand men, women and children killed in ninety minutes."
The narrator tells how the Luftwaffe bombs small villages so
that refugees clog the highways, and how it uses precision
machine gun fire to herd the survivors toward the allied
armies, who find their progress severely constrained as a
result. An American military officer details the Nazi plan
for an invasion of France, which Hitler conquers in just
over a month. The Germans bludgeon the French armies into
surrender, then "enslave" much of the local population to
service the German military regime.
4 Parts, Sound, B&W, 56:26 |
|
A Tale of Two Cities 1946
How the atomic bomb destroyed
the people and cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Sound, B&W, 12:02 |
|
DDAy Minus One
Record of the operations of the U.S. 82nd
and 101st Airborne Divisions in the 1944 invasion of France.
Excellent war footage and intriguing first person narrative
of events gives a compelling look into the operations of US
paratroopers as part of the D-Day invasion. Recommended.
Sound, B&W, 16:52 |
|
Deadline for Action 1946
How left-wing labor unions engaged in
political activism to combat corporate influence on the U.S.
Congress in the years following World War II.
2 Parts, Sound, B&W, 36:43 |
|
Freedom Comes High 1944
A young wife learns that freedom must
sometimes be paid for in lives, when her husband's ship is
struck during battle. In this excellently acted and
melodramatic piece coming from the US Navy of all places. A
married couple is separated when the husband goes off to
war. As you can tell by the title, consequences ensue. I
imagine this film was done by the Navy to warn women that
Johnny might not be marching home. This film has a high
cinematic feel to it, and all the acting is superb. This
comes highly recommended!
Sound, B&W, 12:54 |
|
It Can't Last 1944
World War II propaganda film aimed at the
home front, attempting to increase popular mobilization.
Sound, B&W, 19:04 |
|
DVD 4 |
Food for Fighters 1943
Importance of nutrition in
wartime. A 1943 documentary about feeding nutritious
food to the armed forces. Dehydrated & process food was
developed during that time. A very informative production of
its time.
Sound, B&W, 9:51 |
|
Highballing to Victory
1944 Pretty
entertaining film about the importance of rubber in wartime.
More specifically of course, the use of it for tires that
will be used by the US forces transport vehicles. I found
this film interesting in it's personification of the tire as
an active participant in the war, like we were supposed to
feel for the tires getting blown apart in wartime. Nice
production shots too. Recommended.
Sound, B&W, 11:41 |
|
Homes for Veterans 1946
This film is almost 2 films
in one. In the first half we see a GI coming home from the
war, who just can't wait to get a house of his own (he even
looks at his dream home on the front lines.. guess nothing
else is distracting him). He picks up his wife and kid and
they go house hunting, to no avail as the home shortage
crisis after WWII was in full swing. In the 2nd half, many
people are going to Mayor's office to solve this problem.
2 Parts, Sound, B&W, 28:16 |
|
Its Everybody's War 1945
Plea for increased commitment by
Americans to win the war.
Sound, B&W, 15:22 |
|
Men and Jobs 1944
How the U.S. government tried to
match every person to a job during World War II. The
main focus of 'Men and Jobs' is how you need a job, right
NOW. Representatives of the government agency trot out and
read lines (from left to right) how important it is that we
all work when Johnny is overseas. We then see an employment
office at work, and how a female is matched to a job most
suited to her, and how an older skilled man gets a job just
like that.
Sound, Color, 8:46 |
|
Mission Accomplished, The
Story of the Flying Fortress 1942
Chronicles one of the early
(autumn 1942) bombing runs of B-17s over Europe.
Sound, B&W, 10:42 |
|
Radio at War 1944
Communications and communicators
facilitate World War II.
Sound, B&W, 21:57 |
|
Remember These Faces 1945
Intense view of American
soldiers in combat, produced to sell World War II bonds.
Sound, Color, 17:18 |
|
These People 1944
Frigidaire plant converts to
military production during World War II.
Sound, B&W, 15:29 |
|
DVD
5 |
Japanese Relocation 1943
U.S. government-produced film
defending the World War II internment of Japanese American
citizens.
Sound, B&W, 9:28 |
|
Manpower 1943
The battle for industrial
production in World War II. Quite amazing film about
how the US is looking for more able bodied people to work at
other jobs while Johnny is overseas.
Sound, B&W, 8:33 |
|
Mr and Mrs America 1945
Mobilizing citizens on the
homefront in World War II. Another plea to buy war
bonds with plenty of talking heads, including FDR.
Sound, B&W, 13:30 |
|
News Parade, Bombing of
Pearl Harbor 1942
Attack on Pearl Harbor; the S.S. Normandy fire at a New
York pier.
Sound, B&W, 9:35 |
|
Operation Crossroads 1946
Documents Able Day and Baker
Day blasts of the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Island in the
Pacific. Contains footage from many of the ground and aerial
cameras set up to record the blasts, beginning with B-29
aircraft "Dave's Dream" dropping an atomic bomb on Bikini
Atoll.
2 Parts, Sound, B&W,
26:36 |
|
Safeguarding Military
Information 1941 Walter
Huston & Eddie Bracken are featured in this effective 1941
film warning Americans to be careful what they say in
public. Well written, directed, and acted.
Sound, B&W, 10:22 |
|
That Boy Joe 1944
Temperance as an antidote to
juvenile delinquency.
Sound, B&W, 18:12 |
|
DVD
6 |
Special Delivery 1946
Airplanes and missions of the
U.S. Army Air Forces, emphasizing Operation Crossroads (the
Bikini Island atomic bomb tests).
Sound, B&W, 12:36 |
|
Suggestion Box 1945
How war plant workers made
suggestions that resulted in efficiency and economy.
Sound, B&W, 8:55 |
|
Supervising Women Workers
1944 Management
addresses the special problems of women workers with concern
and a heavy dose of sexism.
Sound, B&W, 10:36 |
|
Target Invisible 1945
Illustrates the use of radar on
a dramatized mission over Japan.
Sound, B&W, 8:24 |
|
The Arm Behind The Army
1942 How winning World
War II depends on successful labor-management collaboration.
Sensational propaganda film which ultimately is about how
important industry is to the war, but winds up just being
one hell of a propaganda film. Fueled by one heck of a
bombastic narrator who must've taken courses in guilt
mongering, we're plastered with images of Pearl Harbor!
China! France! Norway! All of this is tied very loosely with
the industrial theme, but again, this is a mightily trumped
up propaganda machine working here folks.
Sound, B&W, 10:22 |
|
The Town 1945
Shows life during wartime in an
American town (Madison, Indiana). Directed by Josef von
Sternberg.
Sound, B&W, 10:49 |
|
These Are the People 1944
Workers of a Wisconsin town
mobilize for World War II production.
Sound, B&W, 15:57 |
|
DVD
7 |
Three Cities 1943
How America mobilizes. A
pile of families move into wartime housing, only to realize
the school is not built yet. No problem, we'll just use one
of the non-used houses to teach the children!! This leads to
ultra bizarre shots of kids desks crammed into what looks
like a kitchen.. Segment 2 details people living in
trailer parks because of the war. Problem is, those darned
kids just can't keep quiet while someone is sleeping! No
problem, we'll just import some dangerous-looking
dilapidated sheds the army is not using, take them apart and
rebuild a community hall/school. This looks.. rickety.
Segment 3 is a typical rah of how people use Sunday, their
day of rest of course, to be trained off to do hard labor
for the army. I wonder how many people would want to do that
now..
Sound, B&W, 10:34 |
|
Troop Train 1943
Evocative World War II-era film
following a troop train: the coordination of effort; its
staging and assembly of cars, cargo and passengers; its
heavily guarded journey through the American countryside;
and the food, sleep, exercise, training, drilling and
recreation of its soldier-passengers.
Sound, B&W, 10:52 |
|
US News Review Issue 3
Government-produced World War II
newsreel.
Sound, B&W, 19:12 |
|
US News Review Issue 5
Hairstyles for war jobs. Making
rifles by assembly line. Absenteeism. Our children--a war
problem regarding daycare while mothers work. Army fight
song: "Off we go/Into the wild blue yonder". A late
1942 film news review showing the sacrifices and problems
facing the American civilians and soldiers of World WAR II.
The actual air battle is impressive, and the visual
introduction to the Air Force song is inspiring.
Sound, B&W, 15:33 |
|
Victory Is Our
Business 1942 Patriotic
motivational film for World War II industrial workers.
Sound, B&W, 10:44 |
|
What Makes a
Battle 1944 Strategy
and successes of the Marshall Islands battle in World War
II.
Sound, B&W, 15:35 |
|
When Work is
Done 1943 War plant
workers flood the town of Sylacauga, Alabama, and the town
constructs facilities and organizes activities to make them
feel welcome. Excellent, idealized view of homefront life in
a World War II factory town.
Sound, B&W, 8:55 |
|
DVD Menu Sampler:
|
|