THE UNCLE SAM MOVIE COLLECTION Volumes 4-6

The great pleasure of reviewing the first three volumes in the UNCLE SAM series was second only to receiving an unexpected email from the series producer, Bob Campbell, who generously sent me the second trilogy in this excellent series of documentaries.

Most of the films thus far are specifically war-themed and propagandistic in nature. There is some indication from the direction of the second batch of twenty-one films in the series that an attempt is being made to embrace even more of American culture.

Certainly the military flavour is central to the films, but political shorts and even post-war subjects serve to make the series more rounded. At any rate, the same remarkable balance between style, content and effectiveness is as evident in Volumes 4-6 as they were in Volumes 1-3.

Host Denis Arndt continues to be the glue who holds everything together. His insightful commentary contextualizes each film and remind us of the historical framework in which they were made. ‘Propaganda is not a dirty word—unless it’s propaganda for the other side,’ he says. This is a loaded statement that assumes right from wrong. In a conflict as clear-cut as WWII, few would argue with this perspective. In application to later, unpopular wars, when the American people were less united in a common cause, the degree of ‘cleanliness’ that the word ‘propaganda’ contains may be debatable.

Be that as it may, it certainly helps that Arndt is an actor as he is an engaging and authoritative host whose time on camera is almost as interesting as many of the films he introduces. And ‘almost’ is exactly how it should be; he does not steal any thunder from the films that are the heart and soul of the collection.

As in the first trilogy, each volume contains seven films, for a total of 21. Let’s look at each film in detail.

Volume Six

1. IT’S EVERYBODY’S WAR

This little flag-waver has the distinction of a heartfelt narration, courtesy of Henry Fonda, one of the great American actors.

Using a montage style of editing, IT’S EVERYBODY’S WAR quickly establishes and maintains an overview of war-time USA, from the soldiers in the front lines to children playing at home.

In the present day we are familiar with the reality of war raging on one side of the globe while the rest of us sit by, going about every day routines, aware of the conflict but somehow removed from it.

IT’S EVERYBODY’S WAR reminds us that a world war involved everyone and that a consolidated effort on the part of all people (in this case, Americans) was needed to secure victory.

IT’S EVERYBODY’S WAR has a calculated ‘America proud’ feel to it. Perhaps it would resonate even further if the cross sections of American life had included blacks, natives and other visible minorities. It’s this missing element which dates the film, though it is still effective as a reminder of the need for solidarity in WWII.

2. LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF TOM SMITH

One of the most effective films in this entire series, LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF TOM SMITH stars TV’s Superman, George Reeves, as an American everyman who is awaiting his fate in a Japanese prison. Sentenced to die by firing squad, Smith uses his last remaining minutes to gather his thoughts into his will. He leaves not his worldly goods, but rather his memories, ideals and reflections. Flashbacks to his sweetheart and his grandfather summarize his life. Gramps is played to crotchety perfection by the great Lionel Barrymore and the friendly postman with whom Gramps engages in spirited conversation is portrayed by the brilliant Walter Brennan.

It is amazing that so many of these excellent short films are every bit as good as the best films produced in Hollywood at this time. And yet, with top-calibre talent and creative genius working together with the added incentive of a common cause for good, there is no greater recipe for success—the very best use of propaganda.

Films like LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF TOM SMITH are what illustrate the true worth of the UNCLE SAM series. What a great lesson for young people! Precisely why the films collected here should be required viewing in schools. Or at the very least, why they should be stocked in every school and public library.

3. THE TRUTH ABOUT TAXES

Far less intense, but just as passionate in presenting its point of view, is THE TRUTH ABOUT TAXES, a Republican Party campaign propaganda film designed to sway American voters in 1939.

In an attempt to discredit Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’, THE TRUTH ABOUT TAXES emphasizes how misspent tax dollars have failed to boost national defense. This gives the film, made in 1939, a spooky quality given that it barely pre-dates the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour by two years.

THE TRUTH ABOUT TAXES is not without interest but is certainly dated and is perhaps less intriguing than the war documentaries. Nonetheless, a political propaganda film is the logical succession to war propaganda films which have made up the bulk of the UNCLE SAM series to date. By including political films, the UNCLE SAM producers appear to be branching out into a more inclusive cultural/historical statement that gives added meaning to the series.

4. HELL-BENT FOR ELECTION

This line of attack is further pursued in HELL-BENT FOR ELECTION, the balancing act in that it presents political propaganda from the point of view of the Democratic Party.

I must say I found this cartoon to be more interesting that the live-action THE TRUTH ABOUT TAXES. The fact that Chuck (Bugs Bunny) Jones was involved doesn’t hurt. Animation is perhaps the ideal medium for political propaganda. Exaggeration (a seemingly integral part of most political platforms!) works better in a medium that relies on caricature and broad statements.

Be that as it may, HELL-BENT FOR ELECTION is another dated but important (historically and culturally) addition to the UNCLE SAM series. Remember, this cartoon was made in 1944 when winning the war against tyranny—a regime that would not allow free elections—was a primary concern. On that level, HELL-BENT FOR ELECTION is fascinating.

5. TOMORROW TELEVISION

The history of television must include a reminder of just how earth-shaking a technological wonder this new medium was. Not only did it provide amazing opportunities for education and information sharing, it was a whole new industry that created thousands upon thousands of jobs for men and women returning from service in WWII.

Ironically, television’s most significant technological advances occurred in Germany in the 1930s, with the 1936 Olympic Games being the first event of its kind to be broadcast.

This same technological ground-breaking on the part of Germany should come as no surprise in light of that country’s leadership in such war-related industries as rocket science. The Volkswagen wasn’t the only good thing to come out of Nazi Germany!

Levity aside, it does give some insight into the complexity and thoroughness of the German war machine, whose main questionable achievement was destruction and death.

Host Denis Arndt tentatively shifts the focus of his introduction here towards a sort of time traveler’s perspective. I’m not sure this works, but perhaps if developed intelligently, it could enhance the UNCLE SAM series even further. My main concern about this approach is that it has been done before and may come off as ‘old hat’. On the other hand, the UNCLE SAM series is such a fine educational tool that the time traveler device might be a hit with kids. We’ll have to wait and see.

TOMORROW TELEVISION is an intriguing glimpse at the birth of a technology that is as common and everyday as (to quote Denis Arndt) water.

6. OLYMPICS OF 1936

Also known as the ‘Hitler Games’, the 1936 Olympics are well-known to film lovers mostly because of the towering achievement of Leni Riefenstahl, the great female film director who is so often (unfairly) dismissed as Hitler’s filmmaker. Her two-part OLYMPIAD film is one of the most stunning visual records ever put on film. Newsreel highlights of the same event can only pale by comparison, though some of Riefenstahl’s footage does appear here (uncredited).

There are many interesting moments interspersed with the list of medal winners. For example, the traditional Olympic salute, uncomfortably similar to a Nazi salute, was eschewed by some countries for that very reason. The U.S. athletes are shown in the opening parade holding their hats over their hearts and giving an ‘eyes right’ as they pass Hitler’s place of honour with the other dignitaries. The French, on the other hand, look ridiculous replicating Hitler’s ‘Sieg Heil’ arm gesture. I’m sure many of them regretted it a few years later as Nazi troops invaded France and occupied Paris!

Still, it is the Riefenstahl footage that stands out in this compilation film. Perhaps this short will serve to whet viewer appetites to watching the complete OLYMPIAD. If so, you’ll have a visual experience like never before.

7. HOLLYWOOD VICTORY CARAVAN

This musical confection ends the second trilogy of the UNCLE SAM series on a positive note.

Essentially a ‘buy war bonds’ ad, this short film features a number of stars in cameos including Alan Ladd, Humphrey Bogart, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. The film is humourous between some outstanding musical numbers, most notably a great tap sequence with Betty (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) Hutton.

The tape ends with host Denis Arndt promising more gold mined in subsequent UNCLE SAM volumes. It is the consistent high quality of selection and presentation continues—and there is no reason to doubt that it will—we have much to look forward to!

More information about THE UNCLE SAM MOVIE COLLECTION can be found at their OFFICIAL WEB SITE.

Tell them Einsiders sent you!

The Uncle Sam Movie Collection: Vol. 4
The Uncle Sam Movie Collection: Vol. 5
The Uncle Sam Movie Collection: Vol. 6

Jon Ted Wynne