Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 8:30 PM

This Means War!

The Caissons Go Rolling Along Office of Emergency Management 1942? 6min: Nothing like a good singalong to get the military spirit going.

Invasion of Poland 1939 8min. German newsreel footage alternates between smiling villagers offering flowers to Nazi soldiers and village to village fighting. The lack of narration on the naturalistic soundtrack is eerily effective, given the Nazi's reputation for shrillness.

Chatter Bug 1940s 9min : British training film, but with a United States emblem on the end title so presumably it was shown in the states. Be careful what you say - it could end up strapped to the leg of a pigeon.

This Could Be America 1940s 6min. While showing footage of US attacks on Japanese territory this war bond film stresses that, from the air, it's hard to tell the difference between a Japanese target and an American one, not to create any sense of empathy but rather in the spirit of doing unto them what they would do unto us.

Smart Boy! 1945 17min: Never mind if your pal thinks your a weenie, it's better than spending your shore leave in the gutter.

AM-MPQ4 Mortar Locating Radar G.E. 1950's 6min: Those pesky Koreans were pinning our boys down with their mortars, and we couldn't find 'em fast enough to fight back - until G.E. came to the rescue with the miracle of radar.

The National Anthem The only possible ending for the show.

Optional additional film: Salute to the Navy 1942? 10min : Stirring recruitment film includes footage of the battleship Texas in NY harbor.