LEATHERNECKS ON PARADE

Year Published: 1942

Creator: United States. Marine Corps

Description: “Leathernecks on Parade” is a short recruitment film for the United States Marine Corps, that shows the USMC at work, on maneuvers, at sea, and on parade. The first part shows the life of new recruits at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, capturing everything from ceremonial marches, physical training, marksmanship, and obstacle courses to military drills and maneuvers in both land and sea settings. A second short film features American actor Joe E. Brown, who shares his personal experiences visiting Marine bases both in the U.S. and abroad and concludes with a recruitment message, encouraging enlistment in the Marine Corps. (Brown was one of the most popular comedians in the 1930s and 1940s, and enjoyed lengthy careers in both motion pictures and radio.) Opening credits (00:00). United States Marine Band march along grounds of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD San Diego); Ceremony with new recruits standing at attention (0:31). American flag ascends flag pole as marching band plays “Star Spangled Banner” (1:37). Close-up plaque stating “United States Marine Corps Base,” narrator explains what the Marine Corps is (2:35). Perhaps M1 120mm Anti-Aircraft Gun (2:40). Commander enters administrative office and plays record of trumpet Reveille on vinyl player (2:42). Marine recruits stand at attention with rifles over right shoulder as commander inspects officers (3:04). New recruits wearing civilian clothes (known as “boots”) arrive on base to trumpet Reveille (3:15). New recruits exit base post exchange (PX) carrying buckets with new uniforms and equipment; Another shot of men in matching green uniforms carrying canvas duffle bags over shoulder (3:45). Men lean over communal outdoor sinks brushing teeth, washing face (3:59). In perfect coordination “boots” conduct physical exercises in large rec yard using M16 Garand rifles, live marching band accompanies exercises (4:12). Recruits complete obstacle agility course: Cling to rope, complete monkey bars (4:46). Marksmanship training at rifle range amid expansive, dry, desolate landscape (5:22). Close-up of marksmen using what appears to be M1 carbine rifles (5:44). March and drill exercise, recruits walk in unison to commands of drill sergeant while holding rifle over their right shoulder (5:54). View of triple-mounted anti-aircraft guns pointing out over side of US Navy ship at sea (6:31). View from upper deck of perhaps Iowa Class battleship as it breaks through wave (6:42). Series of shots of Grumman J2F Duck planes taking off from Navy ship (6:48). Marines conduct nighttime target practice at sea: Shots of Marines transporting shells by hand, bright red illuminates night sky during exchange of fire (7:04). Fleet of U.S. Navy ships at sea (7:49). Naval whaleboats used to transport seamen back to land (8:02). Marine recruits train in field maneuvers, run through shrubs amid arid landscape (8:10). Aircraft doing aerial drills (8:29). Marines operate M1917 Browning machine gun (8:35). M3 Stuart light tanks drive through muddy soil (8:45). Close-up marines operating M1917 Browning machine gun (9:05). Marines handling mortars, Howitzer artillery weapons in field (9:14). Marines marching band march along main avenue in San Diego as part of local parade, march in front of San Diego Civil Building/ City Hall (since demolished) (9:27). Marines march into theatre space singing “The Marines' Hymn” (9:57). Large troop transport ship (appears to be former ocean liner) at sea (10:04). Closing credits (10:14). Film 1 ends (10:21). New film begins, opening credits (10:25). American Actor and Comedian Joe E. Brown reads copy of his own book “Your Kids and Mine” while sitting in chair in garden; Speaks to camera about visits to Marine bases at home in US and abroad (10:27). Marines marching in uniform as part of ceremony, narrator recruitment message (11:13). Closing credits (11:27).

Complete Record: “Leathernecks on Parade” is a short recruitment film for the United States Marine Corps, that shows the USMC at work, on maneuvers, at sea, and on parade. The first part shows the life of new recruits at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, capturing everything from ceremonial marches, physical training, marksmanship, and obstacle courses to military drills and maneuvers in both land and sea settings. A second short film features American actor Joe E. Brown, who shares his personal experiences visiting Marine bases both in the U.S. and abroad and concludes with a recruitment message, encouraging enlistment in the Marine Corps. (Brown was one of the most popular comedians in the 1930s and 1940s, and enjoyed lengthy careers in both motion pictures and radio.) Opening credits (00:00). United States Marine Band march along grounds of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD San Diego); Ceremony with new recruits standing at attention (0:31). American flag ascends flag pole as marching band plays “Star Spangled Banner” (1:37). Close-up plaque stating “United States Marine Corps Base,” narrator explains what the Marine Corps is (2:35). Perhaps M1 120mm Anti-Aircraft Gun (2:40). Commander enters administrative office and plays record of trumpet Reveille on vinyl player (2:42). Marine recruits stand at attention with rifles over right shoulder as commander inspects officers (3:04). New recruits wearing civilian clothes (known as “boots”) arrive on base to trumpet Reveille (3:15). New recruits exit base post exchange (PX) carrying buckets with new uniforms and equipment; Another shot of men in matching green uniforms carrying canvas duffle bags over shoulder (3:45). Men lean over communal outdoor sinks brushing teeth, washing face (3:59). In perfect coordination “boots” conduct physical exercises in large rec yard using M16 Garand rifles, live marching band accompanies exercises (4:12). Recruits complete obstacle agility course: Cling to rope, complete monkey bars (4:46). Marksmanship training at rifle range amid expansive, dry, desolate landscape (5:22). Close-up of marksmen using what appears to be M1 carbine rifles (5:44). March and drill exercise, recruits walk in unison to commands of drill sergeant while holding rifle over their right shoulder (5:54). View of triple-mounted anti-aircraft guns pointing out over side of US Navy ship at sea (6:31). View from upper deck of perhaps Iowa Class battleship as it breaks through wave (6:42). Series of shots of Grumman J2F Duck planes taking off from Navy ship (6:48). Marines conduct nighttime target practice at sea: Shots of Marines transporting shells by hand, bright red illuminates night sky during exchange of fire (7:04). Fleet of U.S. Navy ships at sea (7:49). Naval whaleboats used to transport seamen back to land (8:02). Marine recruits train in field maneuvers, run through shrubs amid arid landscape (8:10). Aircraft doing aerial drills (8:29). Marines operate M1917 Browning machine gun (8:35). M3 Stuart light tanks drive through muddy soil (8:45). Close-up marines operating M1917 Browning machine gun (9:05). Marines handling mortars, Howitzer artillery weapons in field (9:14). Marines marching band march along main avenue in San Diego as part of local parade, march in front of San Diego Civil Building/ City Hall (since demolished) (9:27). Marines march into theatre space singing “The Marines' Hymn” (9:57). Large troop transport ship (appears to be former ocean liner) at sea (10:04). Closing credits (10:14). Film 1 ends (10:21). New film begins, opening credits (10:25). American Actor and Comedian Joe E. Brown reads copy of his own book “Your Kids and Mine” while sitting in chair in garden; Speaks to camera about visits to Marine bases at home in US and abroad (10:27). Marines marching in uniform as part of ceremony, narrator recruitment message (11:13). Closing credits (11:27).

Transcription

e this is the United States Marine Corps Base at San Diego California where thousands of young men between the ages of 17 and 30 who have voluntarily cast their lot with the soldiers of the sea are undergoing a thorough and intensive course of training designed to equip them to carry on the famous traditions of the most versatile military organization in the world here under the leadership of men steep in the history of the core which have seen active service during 100 of the 166 years of its existence and which has served with distinction under every notable Commander from Washington to MacArthur these new recruits soon discover that they must be something of a sailor and everything of a soldier able to hike like an infantryman to handle guns like an artilleryman to know something not only of wireless telegraphy and mechanics but of Aviation and the Art of aerial combat as well home what [Applause] the the Marine Corps is composed of young men from every state and from every Walk of Life all prompted by the same appeal of service to their country and their flag [Music] to the average eye these new and raw recruits boots in the language of the leatherneck himself are just a group of ordinary boys and yet each man before his acceptance into the core has been subjected to the most exhaustive physical and moral examinations for the Marines first of all want men who are strong and clean the best uniform in the store room will not make a civilian look like a marine but as the recruits develop under an always rigid but never harsh discipline gaining assurance and EM bibing some of the core's Traditions they will slowly but surely begin to fit their uniforms and to exemplify neatness smartness precision and soldierly bearing whether on the parade ground or the quart deck for in the Marine Corps men are required not only to trust in God and keep their powder dry but to see that their pants are pressed as well to keep a man fit there is nothing like well like good brisk early morning exercise the men are now beginning to look alike as they learn their first great lesson in discipline to obey instantly without question and in perfect coordination the commands of their officers they are beginning to to feel themselves part of a great fighting force made up of thousands of other men just like themselves each working independently yet as a part of a smoothly operating hole Tire shortage tell that to the Marines Taren probably started this sort of thing but in the Marine Corps it means sturdy backs powerful arms and the determination to get there in a hurry forgotten now are the aches and strains of the first few days of training what our recruits want now is action and plenty of it Americans have never been the ones to shy away from coming to grips with the Enemy give them the cold steel boys has been a familiar cry in every engagement from the Battle of Trenton to that of batan the Marine Corps has noted the world over for its Marksmanship indeed so highly regarded as good shooting that the recruit must devote almost half of his basic training period to instruction and actual work on the rifle range not only is he required to learn to take care of his rifle to take it apart and put it together again even in total darkness but here on the firing line under the eyes of his superiors from many of whose chests dangle the coveted Sharpshooters decorations the recruit learns to find the Bull's ey the ability to March and drill to walk Direct to take orders and Obey commands is of course a vital part of any solders training and it is not neglected in the Marine Corps in fact hours of every day are devoted to close order drill to perfect execution of the manual of arms here on the parade ground we find discipline at its best teamwork of the highest order no Goose stepping here just a plain solid of Proud free men the Marine Corps has always been a component part of the United States Navy created November the 10th 1775 by the Continental Congress as the First Federal organization of fighting men for service on the land and sea it is required as part of its amphibious Warfare mission to provide and maintain a quota of specially trained men for every ship of the line qualifications for admission to the SE School known to the World by its blue uniforms are high and no honor is more coveted by the recruit perhaps the most interesting duty of the Marine aboard ship is participating in target practice but whether it be handling the huge shells which feed the mighty guns of today rangef finding or leading the Landing parties Marines glory in action on the sea upon which many of their most memorable Deeds of Valor have been performed [Music] while men in the sea school have been at Sea familiarizing themselves not only with the great ships of the Navy but with the most modern of Landing boats as well other men of the core have not been idle they have been engaged in field Maneuvers learning to do everything from scouting and patrolling to digging in placements for machine guns and Morts for Pro proof of the efficiency of the Marine Corps Aviation arm we need look no further than Wake Island where one of the most glorious pages in Marine Corps history was written there for 14 days under the most difficult and trying circumstances against overwhelming odds new planes were made literally out of the wrecks of the old the parts being so traded and remade that at the end no single plane could be said to have retained its identity Past Masters with the rifle Marines must be no less efficient with the machine gun and its greater firing power they must know how to operate and to maneuver tanks in battle to handle the mortars the howitzers and every other weapon which the Ingenuity and productive skill of this great democracy can place in their hands so that when their time of training is over and they are ready to take their places in the only spot which Marines recognize the line of battle they are men capable of taking it as well as dishing it out men who wherever they may be sent are bound together by tithes of honor and loyalty to one flag one country and one purpose ready to give to America the full measure of their patriotic devotion [Music] our the on Thea fight rights and freom and to keep our Earth we are proud toim the of United [Music] St from the of hello on numerous occasions during the past 12 years I have visited your sons in the Marine Corp both here and abroad talking to them watching them seeing their magnificence under every possible condition has taught me something of what makes a man a marine yet it would be hard for me to explain exactly what I've learned it isn't The Splendid training they get though that's part of it as it is the leadership and the right to share the tradition Marines have lived by the past 176 years actually it's all of these summed up in one word morale the pride a man takes in being part of a great fighting team the United States Marines thank you Joey Brown if you're a man between 17 and 30 visit your nearest Marine Corps Recruiting office and volunteer now you'll be proud to Bear the title of United States Marine for

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