AV Geeks Lunch 11-14-2023

hi everybody I'm skip Alzheimer and welcome to the avgeeks lunchtime streaming show where we watch old 16 mimer films and we ponder over them and think about like are they still relevant or what is the information that they hold about our past and this uh I'm not there at the archive I'm actually at a conference and but I still want to show you stuff and uh one of the things you may or may not know about me is that I've and collecting old uh 16mm films about veneral disease um I used to work for the American Social Health Association uh which used to be the American Social hygiene Association and now I think it's actually the American Sexual Health Association but um anyways they have a long history of making films about uh veneral disease and I stumbled across one uh made for Asha by Jam handy and it's made during a time that uh there was a fight against um venal disease uh prior to this time it wasn't really talked about in in a polite company it was actually illegal to talk about it in print uh there were euphemisms on selling fake things to uh help people who had syphilis or gonorrhea but uh legitimate talk about it didn't really happen until um the Surgeon General uh who used to be the public health director in New York City when he became um the Surgeon General he said hey this is a this is a Health crisis that's actually affecting um lots and lots of adult men are getting VD from prostitutes uh and they're bringing it to their families um when they get married and basically it's affecting uh kids are getting born with birth effects because of this so this was a rallying cry it was actually there was actually an article in the lady's Home Journal about it which is you know unheard of but uh it became a big deal and this is all before um penicillin and so there were other ways to treat it uh venal disease but it took a long time so here is um two films the first one as I said made by Jam handy for American Social hygiene Association and then the second one is a military film and this is trying to convince uh soldiers not to stray while they're in another country um so that you know think about the um the sweetheart that they have at home and you know the plans that that you guys talked about before you left um I think this is Darren McGavin is in this who was in um Christmas Story and uh Hangar 18 too he's and also the nightstalker like uh anyways I think that's who who Who's in this this film but uh there's two films one's longer one it's very melodrama both of these films are very melodramatic cuz that's how they used to talk about but uh enjoy um I don't think there's any nasty sores in here I think I cut them out but I'll I'll check to make sure and I will blur them accordingly and make sure there's not any diseased uh organs um but everybody have a great rest of your day if you like what you saw hit the thumbs up and we'll see you soon take care bye today as the democracies of the world are challenged to prove their right to exist as the ideals which guide American thought and guard the American way of life are threatened America Springs to action to meet the challenge that a free people may share forever the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness we are mobilizing our resources for National Defense and National welfare calling hundreds of thousands of men and women to work in defense Industries mobilizing Manpower and machine power calling Sons and Daughters from every corner of the nation to do their part calling upon young men to build the nation's mightiest peacetime Army and Navy they come from every Walk of Life brave and strong they fall in line to defend their country from City factories and offices from Village stores and shops from Mountain Timberlands and from Valley Farms by the 100,000 they are assembling at camps and Naval training stations to these young men comes a radical change in their way of life as home ties are broken and families friends and sweethearts are Left Behind quickly they adaptt themselves to Army and Navy routine which transforms them into Soldiers and Sailors the Armed Forces which guard our security physical conditioning discipline military training with wholesome Leisure Time activity build the Sound Health and high morale which is essential to strong fighting men the rapid mobilization of uniform men and defense workers places definite responsibilities upon every Community especially it is the community's job to guard them from those dangerous diseases syphilis and ganara and to combat prostitution and promiscuity spreaders of these infections American history reveals that these diseases have always increased in times of national [Music] mobilization during the Mexican war out of every thousand soldiers 168 were reported sick with venial diseases in the Civil War over 200 out of every thousand soldiers became infected again during the Spanish War the infection rate Rose alarmingly by 1910 American Military and civil organizations had begun to take definite steps to reduce the toll of these destroying diseases on entering the world war the Army Navy and Public Health Service the medical profession the American Social hygiene Association and other agencies cooperated to achieve the lowest venial disease rate in history even so syphilis and ganara took from Duty for the duration of the war the equivalent of an entire Army division enough days were lost to man nine destroyers or six airplane carriers for a period of 1 year an appalling total of more than 7 million days lost to the nation today as we build National Defense this problem confronts us again for wherever military Naval or industrial Manpower is mobilized those who seek to exploit men and women for profit also mobilize unless action is taken against them and chief among the exploiters are those who engage in the vicious prostitution racket the most deadly and damaging part of this sorted business is organized with coldblooded cunning and operated with one object only to make money women and girls are sent out according to carefully laid plans to bravel to low cafes and bars and to the streets where they spread venial disease and disorder among those upon whom the defense of the nation depends agents far more dangerous than the women and girls they exploit take a large part of the money collected in this saddest and most degrading Enterprise money that accumulates in the war chest of Ruthless scheming gangs that threaten the health and happiness of the nation other agents such as some doormen and certain taxi drivers solicit customers and approach the boys in uniform wherever and whenever they can prostitutes and their exploiters whether operating in gangs or independent ly strike at the very foundation of the nation's strength its vigorous and healthy youth for in evil partnership with other Vic dope drunkenness gambling prostitution threatens not only America's Sons but also our daughters especially thousands of young girls seeking employment listen to the conclusions of Medical Science and worldwide experience modern science and experience have taught us that no system of Regulation which permits prostitution to flourish succeeds in protecting either the health or the morals of a community from the damaging effects of this degrading business segregation of women in licens houses in a red light district does not prevent the practice of prostitution outside the segregated areas medical inspection of these women is feudal and merely gives a false sense of security from disease the very existence of a red light district helps the vice racketeer to persuade or coerce young girls to become prostitutes by providing a market for their sale the police and law enforcement officials can reduce commercialized Vice to a minimum simply by enforcing the laws especially those laws aimed at the madams landlords agents procurers and other exploiters whose greedy hands take the earnings of unfortunate women and girls public officials will take action against against organized prostitution whenever the citizens Demand Action the responsibility rests therefore on the citizens they can drive out the traders in human bodies and the propers in human health and morals whenever they organize and exert their powers and rights as Citizens yes men and women and everywhere must work together must act vigorously and immediately against all conditions contributing to the spread of veneral diseases if health and morale and National Defense are to be made secure laws against the prostitution racketeers must be enforced and vicious Resorts closed through the cooperation of local state and federal authorities all means of informing the public the press the radio and motion pictures must help stimulate citizens to action while workers of friendly agencies advise and guide young people especially girls in need of protection or medical care and Physicians and health workers check the spread of syphilis and ganara by finding treating and preventing these diseases but Medical Care law enforcement and social guidance are but half the answer training centers provide Leisure Time activities to help build health morale and strong Defenders we must keep this health and morale High by welcoming men on leave and giving them opportunities for good times in Good Company young men seeking Recreation and rest need clean inexpensive places to eat sleep and read or play sports with lots of action the things they enjoyed before they entered the service what young fellow in uniform away from home doesn't like a chance to make new friends and to meet girls like his sister and people like his parents yes they are homesick often and they appreciate the clasp of a friendly hand the church too can help the boys remember their church back home and pastors can give spiritual guidance every man and woman boy and girl in the community can contribute something to National Defense in these ways remember that Soldiers and Sailors are not special types of young men they Hometown Boys your neighbor's boys perhaps your boy if the road they travel to your town leads to prostitution law evading saloons gambling and low amusements the nation and the community will suffer but when a community stamps out these UNH wholesome conditions and provides decency and Order friendly churches clean Sports good food and rest adequate Health and Medical Care that Community is truly aiding National Defense and American welfare syphilis and and ganaria are old and persistent enemies we must fight them today so that soldiers Sailors and defense workers may do their Duty well and return safely home to serve tomorrow as Citizens workers parents of future Americans this we must do you and I and every patriotic citizen in defense of the nation [Music] hello D hello oh Jane Mr MCM wants to see when his office right away okay [Music] Johnny don't you remember there was a war hardly two years ago to be exact yeah well The Sentinel does remember and always will anytime you need a reminder what the world's been through read The Daily Sentinel for three cents cash slug from the place of little worms asking me to tone down on our stories on vets yeah well I've got more stories up my sleeve that's where you come in Jane what's it this time then sit down sit down now Jane we're going to do a followup on those welcome home stories we ran remember all that fuss everybody welcoming home the boys from overseas Max your shirt's sticky there so what it's been that way for years never stopped the presses once try is fenders there goes that mother the complex of yours Jane I pity the kids you'll have they'll be scrubbed up like little Lord fono smelling of soap let's get on with this story find out what the boys are doing now that they're back in civilian life play up their families the wives and children V soldiers children yes and find out if they're happy and healthy and what's the matter Jane it's no use Mac I I'm pretty touchy about about things I guess like you are about your shirt now take it easy Jane if I said anything you m I can't do this story but Jane you're a reporter life goes on you know even though you and Frank did split up i' get someone else to do this story I can't think of think soldiers homes children things like that [Music] [Applause] [Music] the [Music] Jane I still say you're the reporter for that story mind if we sit down [Music] some people take me for a hard boil City editor well I'm not I'm a softy especially where you and Frank are concerned please Mac J all this is not good for you I've known clups and marriages but I can't make yours up you know Frank left the paper to avoid any embarrassment to you he needn't have left on my account but he did good reporter too yes he is Mac if you want I'll quit too I'm tired of newspaper work anyhow bitter aren't you I have reason to be sure sure everyone thinks his is the greatest tragedy on Earth I'm not concerned about others of course not that's the way it usually is but it's good to stop and think about others helps you evaluate your own feelings let Frank cared about mine I'm sure that's not so Jane well I tell you it is so if he had cared if he had stopped to think of others nothing would have happened you talked to about family that meant something to me now how can I write about it when what's the use you're talk J it'll do you good FR and I believed in the same things we had plans you remember Mac I most certainly do that Christmas he came home on Furlow 2 years ago wasn't it that's right why from the looks of both of you I knew a certain announcement was ready to go to press what a wonderful Christmas Frank was coming to our house for dinner he hadn't had a homecooked meal in ages in fact he'd almost forgotten what a real home was like I baked a mince pie I never baked a pie before I suppose I wanted to make an impression oh [Music] lovely dad came sniffing around Thanksgiving and Christmas were his favorite sniffing days I certainly feel sorry for poor Frank see what he's got to look forward to far better than ulcers Mr web it is indeed Mrs web and if the expansion of my waistline is any yard stick my love for you is a pretty expensive proposition expensive is it I didn't say expensive I said expansive God you got yourself right out of here Timothy and you too [Music] Mr that was my family PA himim and [Music] more Merry Christmas Merry Christmas prank d Almighty father we thank thee for these th many blessings we thank thee that we meet together this Christmas day with our future son grant that we may continue in help that the world may find the Frank at the table it became the best family in the whole world that we may remain together always Grandma used to say how real family life had stopped with her generation I wondered what the Frank tayor would have been like then Christmas 1900 oh boy yes we had a lovely family just large enough to take up every inch of the table I'm frankly such a wonderful father and so generous of course the turkey had only two drumsticks but Frank managed to have a drumstick for every child Frank could do anything some room for that you want some onions d d here are you all right it was wonderful mother there were actually 10 drumsticks what oh she's just in love oh Timothy web children should be seen and not [Music] heard I didn't want this day ever to end the people I L most in the world were there in that [Music] room Tim was bored with bethoven he wanted Jive music but somehow this evening was meant for the best music ever [Music] written that was beautiful no thank you yeah there's always something even on Christmas bad news bad news and more bad news that's what keeps reporters alive after all reporter ISS much deep Dad I'll don't go with you that far but personally I'd be satisfied to just read the sports page say pod did you read about that nice juicy murder was all about a pretty redhead never mind Timothy my goodness it wasn't long ago that you only looked at the C oh ma I know The Facts of Life Mrs Webb getting the low down on life can't hurt people not intelligent people it just makes them smarter not a Tim and I'm ashamed of you Frank encouraging such things in Tim oh well I didn't and besid it's high time you called me Momom hello [Music] M may I cut in [Music] sure [Music] what else gr shingled the [Music] house like enough at least five to make it C okay 10 it'll be now what do you see now I see trips lots of trips country in the beach the Grand Canyon New Orleans at the brookin bridge in the family car hey we'll need a bus anything long as we to get it but no backseat dve no [Music] back thank nothing must ever happen to [Music] her [Music] J hi Jane can I please borrow your father's car oh I suppose so Harvey what's wrong it's done on her Jane she's going to have a baby she's ready oh God I got to get her to the hospital right away couldn't I please borrow your father's car of course har hey he's in no condition to drive I better do it I'll go along too I'll get the car keys from take it easy Harvey take it easy [Music] gee it isn't right keeping you folks waiting like this oh relax daddy here get educated while you're waiting Frank what do I say when the baby comes what does the father say say hello I'll be one to come along with us and take a look at the Nery sure that's a good idea sort of get you into the mood no thanks I think I'll just sweat it out right here Frank look at them they're so [Music] tiny hey there's the Butcher and there's the Baker and the Candlestick maker and the doctor the you and back there is the Indian chief well he's red enough to be an Indian oh the little heart no soul they're too young to have souls than tell her they do too have souls okay baby you say so say they mean to get you don't they me too kid you know something it's a miracle yeah a miracle have having a baby I mean lots of people just take him for granted but all the things that are you may someday go into a baby your eyes your hair your mouth the way you talk let you walk now even if something's wrong with you sometimes a weakness or or a disease don't say that it's funny I should think about it you don't usually think about it but maybe people should think more about such things because having a baby is some responsibility it isn't like manufacturing shoes or hairpins or washing machines you're manufacturing life if your body's diseased well you might turn out a bad product product you can't just dump into an asham because it's no good it's something you dump on Society for years and years maybe hey I'm doing a lot of thinking I like your thinking Frank well I guess we're pretty lucky cuz we come under the heading of healthy and normal and that means our children will be the same at least they'll get off to a good start Jan Frank congratul yeah but I haven't told you anything yet we know it's a boy 7 and2 lb mother's doing SW the nurse told it hey who had this baby [Music] anyway then Frank went overseas and through the headlines that he and other soldiers helped make I followed him across Europe hoping and praying like a lot of other [Music] girls my whole life was wrapped up in those headlines well at least 90% Society news held the other 10% of me during those days it seemed that every serviceman was either getting engaged or married every day new batches of photographs and announcements forc seem to make people hungry for affection sometimes I regretted that Frank and I had decided against a war marriage you are James oh thanks Johnny at any rate I had Frank's letters three sometimes four a week and each one told me that the future Mrs Frank Taylor was a very lucky girl I'll trade the Eiffel Tower for the Brooklyn Bridge I'll trade the Ry River with the good old Mississippi mayy I'll trade all the beautiful mammels and fraw lines for just one look at that nose of [Music] yours 6 months a year a year and a half my brother Tim got into the army bucked private Timothy with he never saw action because soon afterward the war ended that's about then I was made feature editor and I started to specialize in stories on the returning Soldier do you ask to lunch [Music] py uh beg you pardon Miss I'd like to advertise for a gasoline station I'm uh aiming to go into business you want the advertising department on your left uh miss you know I'm uh new in town and I how miss you know when I first stepped off the boat I didn't know exactly where I was going to settle down so I I just closed my eyes and stuck a pin in the map of the United States and well what place do you think got pinned the office of the Daily Sentinel that's right now wait a minute if you well I mean this town Victor my boy I said this is going to be your adopted town all you need is that uh little gasoline station and that sweet little gal you've been dreaming about and everything's going to be okay the advertising departments on the left uh what's your name Jame web now look never mind Alice may I have my coffee now right [Music] way is the pin in your map pick out this table little old pin was mighty smart always stuck around the best place Victor just wouldn't be shaken off even after I told him about Frank he kept insisting I represented his dream girl well that's a thank Jan I always knew what I wanted G like you a home I never had a home where do you come from Texas that's just where I was born why I've been all over the west midwest knocking about no education but the Army changed all of that one how H what do you see a man has to have a reason for being alive the Army gave me that reason I learned to trade automobile mechanics the only way you can learn anything about a car is get personal you know take things apart man I sure got personal you seem to have quite a talent for that oh not the way you me oh go on what about me well differentials prank shaft stuff like that I studied read a lot too read about more things than just mechanics Mark Twain Emerson Thomas ping Dickens even poetry you know my mind began to think clear and I kept out of trouble too I don't think trouble could stand a chance with you oh lady you just don't know that little old worm tempt can sure get Mighty canang see I like the way you laugh Jane tell me what would you have done if you hadn't gotten into the army lay me down on a nice warm Prairie look up at the stars now you're not just looking you're reaching for the Stars [Music] uh-huh some people didn't need the Army for that but I sure did oh I had my GES plenty my many is the time I want to bank my fist right through a Barrack's wall but I really got no kick coming well I'm taking away more than a broad in taking away more Victor I've got a wonderful idea you've got to help me I'm sure anything you say what's the angle well a series of featured articles on what the postwar Army off as a soldier by an ex soldier who knows meaning me meaning you I get a date remember this friend maybe you're not so sure about him though maybe he's no maybe how about the [Music] stories okay well start talking Mister you're being interviewed for the Daily Sentinel that's how the series of articles on Army life got started what information about the Army Victor couldn't give me himself he got from out side sources here's that page po take this up to composing okay Johnny any mail for me today no ma' [Music] okay that page of pictures on Army activities is mostly Victor's idea how the Army helped build up Health with sports how taught trades SC boy interested in profession showed them how to occupy their spare time with all sorts of hobbies overseas service with tours of places like Switzerland and Korea VI had experienced most of these things [Music] themselves they everything was Victor and Frank why can't you right here from Frank Jane but oh no I bet one of those little fan girls got him you better watching J some little Parisian girl what did that Frank had written I'll trade all the Madel for just one look at that little nose of yours hey Jane Jane I got got what Victor the gasoline station on giler road just off the main Highway oh it's a but two pumps and a lubritorium a that's wonderful Victor you see advertising in the daily Sentinels does get results no it was you Jane you brought me luck would you care to give a testimonial to our advertising I want a marry well right next to the gasoline station there's plenty of room to build a house Victor still Frank huh well he's forgotten about you he hasn't played square with you what do you say there well you said yourself that he stopped writing he's theill he didn't want to worry me well he's worrying you a lot more by not writing I don't need your explanation besides it's none of your business sure well I guess that little pin I used on that map just didn't know what it was doing Victor I I'm sorry you promised you'd help me with that last article yeah okay Jane let's just forget what I said uh-uh I won't forget it Victor I'm very grateful any girl would be well anyhow I well come on let's start putting down what I'm going to tell [Music] you this is about my chap first one I ever met I figure you can't write about the Army unless you put in a chaplain because any the Army there's a chaplain for every spot you hit all chaplain talk about morals and clean living but this one call her like a baseball umpire he said men I get this down men just because you're in the army doesn't mean that you leave Family behind because you got family inside of you whether you like it or not God put it there I jotted the rest down in a piece of paper made mighty fine reading sometimes especially when you were lonely the normal state for most men is the marriage state the happiness the contentment the love that is waiting for you is worth the sacrifice and Faith you exercise now I forgot you got a sister like yourself uh-uh maybe a cousin see I could wait for you Jane no Victor it'll always be frank he'll come back soon and he'll come back well anyway you keep this I know it by [Music] heart normal state for most men is the married State the happiness the contentment and the love that is waiting for you Frank for a while after we were married happiness was just another way of saying Mr and Mrs Frank Taylor all that mattered then was our apartment and us come on little curtain rod nice little curtain rod do G you get sh oh Chan baby what's [Music] wrong how is she what's wrong doctor at this point I'm not sure but just a play safe we'd better get Jane to a hospital hospital for reservation it may require surgery I'll phone for an [Music] ambulance time for sleep I can't sleep I want to go home there's nothing wrong with me in that case you should sleep very [Music] soundly observation it could mean so many things things I couldn't understand I was frightened after a while of observation and treatment the doctor said I could go home but he wanted to talk to both Frank and me before we left the hospital come right here sit down Jane Frank rest did you a lot of good Jam I feel all right except you want to know what the score is well Frank the score heads up but it's sort of difficult to get it down in black and white if you remember James trouble started around the region of the appendix but it's turned out to be a great deal more than appendicitis Jane's childbearing organs have been damaged childbearing organs in what way doctor well you see there are certain tubes in a woman's body tubes that connect the womb and ovary like passageways and through them pass the male and female cells now in order to produce a new life these cells must meet and unite but the cells can't meet if these passageways are blocked by infection infection yes Frank that's what has happened to Jane you mean I can't have any children that's hard to say right now doctor this infection how did it happen it was caused by a venial disease garia garia but it couldn't be it couldn't be frank chain honey I don't know what to say just happened that's all given my life rather than have it happen I was lonely and I had a few drinks and don't say anymore now now this isn't going to do either of you any good there's hope you know you're let that's why you didn't write yeah that's it I don't understand they told me I was okay they gave me penicillin son there's no Sure Fire cure penicillin doesn't always work you didn't even tell me I couldn't I just couldn't how did I get out of the army if I still have it answer me that very simple Frank some cases like yours may not show symptoms but may still carry the disease now if it had been syphilis it would have shown up in your premarital blood test Jane might have been spared but your case is Gara there is no blood test for gonorrhea you'll need treatment Frank ch ch Jane please Frank we have nothing more to say Shane that was the last time I saw Frank like the doctor I I'm a little stumped don't know what to say I'm glad I told you I had to tell someone well it's it's all passed now you're young Jane your whole life's ahead of you not from where I'm standing now nonsense mustn't talk that way it's true being deprived of ever having any children is well it was a tough deal but my dear you must get well all well I mean in your heart I must be forgiving and forgetting a don't give me one of your editorials please [Music] PE I don't feel anything don't you understand I have no heart left that's why I can't do your story I couldn't put the words together words that would make [Music] sense thanks for [Music] listening [Music] [Laughter] I thought you'd like to know how she feels Frank yeah thanks she's got a good memory all right she remembered everything all our hopes and plans even if we do get together again what's in it for us nightmares I'm the guy that knew all the answers you know something I'm the world's prize heel I'll be seeing you where are you going what are your plans plans are you kidding I than you back with us again no Bruce oh say mac here's that editorial on venial disease you see me in a few minutes will you sure wait a second Bruce mind if I take a look at that story sure why not just leave it here okay according to the State Board of Health figures on venial disease for the past 3 months show an increase of 32 and 510 per. this increase is 6 and 2/10 statistics who read them what's the matter with Statistics over a million new cases of VD annually throughout the nation it says here so I finish reading that and turn to Dick Tracy with a picture of some blonde wanted by the police for poisoning her husband figes talk Frank sure in the stock market look if it's the score you want to give them tell them that it all adds up to zero or better yet tell your public if they're looking for that shot in the arm against VD they're not going to get it ask me I know all right I'm asking it's everybody's responsibility like it was mine it's a oneman job it's a lifetime job my idea of a story would be hold it here Frank dictated into this machine we'll make it an editorial Sunday editorial caption the miracle of living this is the story of two diseases syphus and gonorrhea diseases that have caused women more pain and suffering than any other two infections diseases that have caused men to lose the most precious thing in the world happiness kind of happiness that comes with home and [Music] family