Supervising Women Workers
A short from the "Problems of Supervision" series of educational films released in 1944 to aid in the increasing of factory efficiency through the solving of interpersonal problems that reduce the rate of production. In this film, a line supervisor discusses the challenges of supervising the new wartime workforce of women with his foreman. According to the film, these problems arise out of women not being familiar with technology and technical language. Solutions to these challenges include a training regime that breaks down factory labor into easy to understand steps, use plain language, define technical terms, and to use tools appropriate for gender. Women are presented as being good at repetitive labor requiring a high degree of manual dexterity. Male factory managers are warned not to get romantically involved with any women workers and are given techniques to deal with the highly emotional nature of women workers. According to the film, "A foreman will always have the eternal feminine to contend with."
<a href="/IULMIA/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=U.S.+Office+of+Education">U.S. Office of Education</a>
1944
The Case of the Tremendous Trifle
Addressed to "the men and women of American industry," the film tells the story of the Allies' targeting a strategic site for bombing in order to halt German industrial production. Introduced as the story of, "One of the thousands of unsung trifles that go into the making of our fighting weapons […] This the biography of one of those fragments, the life and death of a small steel ball." Dramatizations depict the strategic planning and intelligence gathering leading up to the bombing of the ball bearing manufacturers in Schweinfurt, Germany. In the U.S. a refugee of the concentration camps is contributes his knowledge of German industry. In the U.K. a captured German officer who formerly was a salesman for the bearing manufacturers is interrogated. Use of photo reconnaissance and spying is shown to aid in preparation for a precision bombing mission. Actual footage of preparations and execution of daytime bombing raids and combat illustrate the Schweinfurt mission. Concludes with assertions that recent Allied successes in battle could be attributed to the destruction of the bearing factories. Final narration addresses workers in the U.S. suggesting that the small "trifles" that make up industrial production will win the war for the Allies.
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The Earthmovers
Starts with a depiction of pre-war construction to show how heavy equipment of all types were in use by the Corps of Engineers and the Navy's Seabees. States that this contruction machinery plays a central part in action on all fronts 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.
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Canada Carries On: Target - Berlin
This film portrays the development of the first Canadian-built Lancaster bomber. Scenes of building the night bomber at Victory Aircraft are followed by the celebratory rollout of the completed plane at the plant. "Canada Carries On: Target - Berlin" also shows the first flight of the bomber.
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The Royal Canadian Air Force: produced with coorperation by; Royal Air Force, U.S. Army Air Force: additional combat photography
We've Got Another Bond to Buy
Still drawings and rudimentary animation are used to visualize the 1945 song by Bing Crosby and the U.S. Maritime Training Station. The song is an appeal to movie audiences to continue buying bonds. Even though the fighting was over, the U.S. government still needed funds for post-war recovery.
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U.S. Maritime Training Station Choir
RAF and 8th Air Force Report From Britain
"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.)
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Signal Corps, Army, Air Forces, Navy and Marines: With the Cooperation of Combat Film Units From
A Fifth Army Report From the Beachhead
<span>A film "showing the fighting and casualties invovled in securing the Anzio beachhead." (William H. Nelson, "Washington Film News," Movie Makers, July 1944, 260.)</span>
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Battle Wreckage
<span>Explains why large quantities of war materials, in particular steel, are needed for the war effort. Machines such as tanks, planes, weapons, and ships might end up in a pile of rubble after a battle, but they save the lives of men who are helping to win the war. Shows the sea battle and beachhead landing of the Normandy invasion. The narrator encourages American workers and emphasizes the importance of their work stating at the end: “Give us steel, for a shining triumph.”</span>
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Signal Corps, Army, Air Forces, Navy and Marines: With the Cooperation of Combat Film Units from;
What Makes a Battle?
Shows the planning and execution of the invasion of the Marshall Islands by the combined U.S. armed forces during World War II. Begins with praise for the American people for their efforts at building military machinery to be used in War in the Pacific. Includes combat footage from the American assault on the Marshall Islands.
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Survival of the Fittest
Shows the function of the physical training program of the Army Air Forces during World War II. Starts by celebrating the exploits of Army Air Force war heroes. The main story is a fictional story about two American fighter pilots who are forced to parachute from disabled planes. The uninjured man brings his wounded comrade through water and knee-deep marshlands to safety. The excellent physical condition of both men is presented as largely responsible for their survival. Includes footage of Army Air Force soldiers engaging in physical exercise.
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Schuyler Sanford: cameraman; Edward Schafer: cameraman