AMERICA’S CALL TO ARMS

Format: 16mm

Description: This black-and-white Castle Film newsreel created at the outset of WWII shows the changes in United States factories and personnel as the war effort ramped up. Most of the footage shown is from the pre-war period. America is shown as the "Arsenal of Democracy" producing men and materials for the war. Basic training and testing of military equipment is shown, along with construction of jeeps, tanks, ships, guns, planes, PT boats and other war material. The title page shows the Liberty Bell ringing in the background (0:18). The film begins with a naval cannon (0:30) and planes (0:31) being manufactured in a factory. Men weld and assemble tanks (0:54). A line of tanks drives across a field (1:02); a crowd watches as an aircraft carrier (1:12) and merchant ship pull out of port. Men stream into a Recruit Reception Center (1:25) and perform boxing hand-to-hand combat exercises. Men stab straw dummies with bayonets (1:40) and unfold a bridge to cross a river. They row across the river in rowboats (2:04) and ride horses. Men transport a tank across the river and fire howitzers (2:30). Tanks drive over rough terrain, demolishing trees and obstacles (3:03). Two men look through a scope in a trench (3:23); men fire howitzers and storm across a field. A soldier sets off explosives (3:43). A tank drives over a bridge (3:57). Soldiers drive scout cars through brush and over hills and rough terrain (4:08). A naval cannon is fired at the Panama Canal as a guard stands watch (4:37); the canal served as an important link and supply conduit between the Atlantic and Pacific. A fleet of planes flies overhead (4:42). Soldiers with American and Marine Corps flags (4:46) march while guarding the canal. Soldiers lead pack horses along a narrow path to transport supplies (4:53). A closeup of the barrel for a large artillery piece marked Watervliet Arsenal on the barrel (5:12) an arsenal in New York originally started in 1813 that produces army artillery and guns. Soldiers wheel anti-aircraft guns across a field and fire them (5:23). A pilot closes his cockpit canopy (5:49) and a fleet of bombers takes off in formation as the Marine Corps Hymn plays (6:09). Soldiers jump out of planes with parachutes (6:41) and land on the ground. Ships from the U.S. Navy’s Mosquito Torpedo Squadron race toward the New York coastline (7:44). The PT torpedo boats go by the Brooklyn Bridge (7:51) and Statue of Liberty (7:53). A fleet of U.S. Navy ships maneuvers while a formation of bombers flies overhead. A closeup of a 30-ton super bomber (8:37); a submarine surfaces (8:50). The film ends with soldiers marching, a call to "Uncle Sam’s manpower in industry," and the American flag and U.S. Capitol (9:26).

Complete Record:

Transcription

America prepares all America alters its pattern of life and work to meet the demand for perfection industry is a double step to supply the seniors of safety the armaments of war the gnam battle world must have if democracy is to survive mechanical genius joins with a muscle of millions of men working to win for the ways of freedom freedom to think to speak to rise live and plan with one's fellow man America's vast resources are harnessed to the job of being the world Arsenal for this and other democracies a present day production of armaments is but a mere fraction of the great job that lies ahead the blow of reduction in Blandon shipyard gains speed vessels of all types carriers merchantmen submarines slip off the ways in growing numbers and the beat of feet sounds over the land feet intent on training on glowing fit for whatever destiny holds ahead heroes everyone heroes by the million men who abandoned form and locations that they may be ready to defend democracy if necessary sturdy of body firm in spirit seaman Marines soldiers and fliers a huge civilian our maid joins in this great defense program rigid rough work this training actual combat is simulated conditioned met and mastered no problem that may arise we'll find these men wanting men like these are not to be stopped no individual no evasive words or feeds no group action or selfish interests will be allowed to impede their growing strength effectiveness and safety for it is they were sacrificing every advantage of civilian life they who hold the torch of freedom closest every division of the Army Navy and Marine Corps is rapidly instructed in the modern methods of defense and offense all America behind these armaments supplying an uninterrupted flow of materials or machines of mechanized knife America is making many things Americans are rapidly learning there use a rough branch of the service making all the more necessary of the intensive planning of the day for total preparation against any threat to freedom in less than a year miracles are wrought in the production of tanks rolling fortresses geared to demolish anything in their fans conquering all obstacles on every nature of parade Americans must know their every face for defense and self-protection the quick spending of screams affordable bridges will the advance of lumbering powerful tank for forerunner of the infantry successor to the cavalry as wars are conducted today scoffs cars are new developments more are needed more will be supplied on guard at the Panama Canal Uncle Sam's rifle water life line joining the two great oceans of the world perfection of this most important artery rests with many divisions it's air for searching eyes would look down from the sky from the Atlantic to the Pacific soldiers sailors and Marines I pray and especially to guard this long thin link permitting quick disposition of naval units from one ocean to the other allowing supply and merchant ships safe passage for their cargoes of war or peacetime alert is America's Coast defense now it takes on new importance thousands of anti-aircraft guns and thousands more in production America's coasts must be invulnerable America's Army thanks to the air while more and more bombers roll off the assembly lines of type Louis victories going air are modest and pretty guided by pilots second among men training with farmers with fighters with pursuit planes intrepid men learning every for machine learning to keep the air above America free long before any foreign nation utilize parachute jumping is a practical form of warfare Uncle Sam's Air Force have perfected this means of offense and up defense first the equipment of guns and accessories are thrown safely to the earth then the men pile on there's a whirlwind ascent then a tug is the parachute opens that glide the men to safety now the slow motion camera analyzes the jump well perfect plumb the parashu this is expected to land standing on his two feet United States Navy's newest Triple Threat its mosquito torpedo squadron my laminate craft designed for harbor protection coast patrol and hit-and-run effects each planned by a pick crew of nine they carry four torpedoes and twin machine guns before the skyline of New York City they paint a threatening picture for those who would dare attempt invasion of our shores and of our Liberty but the fleet is the total hitting might of the United States Navy gigantic floating fortresses designed to carry massive guns and deliver their unvarnished fire in defense of the nation shores America's call to arms directs of to ocean may be of heavy cruisers destroyers submarines and planes planes ever drawing an effectiveness to find the enemy bomb him chase his planes from the air and observe the fire of their own battleship a navy sky warship spreads its wings a huge 30 ton super bomber a four engine monster fast and formidable Mardis players are on the way to make the to ocean Navy a reality Uncle Sam submarine squadron six million dollar craft Papale a three billion dollar program which delivers a new fighting ship every 12 days eyes under the sea eyes for defense through America's big guns the nation roars on guard on guard to the end that Uncle Sam's manpower in industry manpower in action shall continue to answer America's call to arm


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