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

[Music] America prepares All America Alters its pattern of life and work to meet the demand for protection IND this is a double step to supply the sen of safety the armaments of war that an embattled 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 harness to the job of being the world Arsenal for this and other democracies its present day production of armaments is but a mere fraction of the great job that lies ahead the flow of production in plant and 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 Ono fit for whatever Destiny holds ahead heroes everyone Heroes by the million men who abandon home and vocations that they may be ready to defend democracy of necessary sturdy of body firm in spirit seamen Marines soldiers and flyers a huge civilian Army joins in this great defense program rigid rough work this training actual combat is simulated conditions met and mastered no problem that may arise will find these men wanting men like these are not the is stopped no individual no evasive words or Deeds no group action or selfish interests will be allowed to impede their growing strength Effectiveness and safety for it is they who are sacrificing every advantage of civilian life they who hold the torch of Freedom closest every division of the Army and Navy and Marine Corps is rapidly instructed in the modern methods of defense and offense All America is Behind These armaments supplying an uninterrupted flow of materal or Machines of mechanized [Music] [Music] might America is making many tanks Americans are rapidly learning their use a rough branch of the service making all the more necessary the Intensive training 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 gear to demolish anything in their paths conquering all obstacles on every nature of [Music] terrain Americans must know their every phase for defense and self- protection [Music] the quick spanning of Screams with portable bridges for the advance of lumbering powerful tank Thor Forerunner of the Infantry successor to the cavalry as Wars are conducted [Music] today Scout cars are a new development more un needed more will be [Music] supplied on guard at the panar canal Uncle Sam's vital water Lifeline joining the two great oceans of the world protection of this most important artery rests with many divisions it's a for searching eyes that look down from the sky from the Atlantic to the Pacific soldiers Sailors and Marines are trained 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 caros of war or peace time alert is America's poast defense now it takes on new [Music] importance thousands of anti-aircraft guns and thousands more in production America's coasts must be invulnerable [Music] America's army takes to the air while more and more bombers roll off the assembly lines at high powerered factories growing air Armada stand ready Guided by Pilot Second To None men training with bombers with Fighters with Pursuit planes Intrepid men learning every formation learning to keep the air above America [Music] [Music] free long before any foreign Nation utilized parachute jumping as a practical form of warfare Uncle Sam's Air Force had perfected this means of offense and of Defense first the equipment of guns and accessories are thrown safely to the Earth then the men pile out there's a whirlwind descent then a tug as the parachute opens to Glide the men to [Music] safety now the slow motion camera analyzes the [Music] jumps for perfect form the parachutist is expected to land standing on his two feet United States Navy's newest Triple Threat its mosquito torpedo Squadron mile a minute craft designed for Harbor protection Coast Patrol and hidden run effects each B by a pick Pro of nine they carry four Torpedoes and twin machine guns before the skyline of New York City they paint a threatening picture to 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 unharnessed fire in defense of the nation Shores America's Call to Arms directs a two ocean Navy of heavy Cruisers destroyers submarines and planes planes ever growing in Effectiveness to find the enemy bomb him Chase his planes from the air and observe the fire of their own [Music] battleships a Navy Sky warship spreads its wings a huge 30ton super bomber a four engined monster fast and formidable more destroyers are on the way to make the two ocean Navy a reality Uncle Sam's submarine Squadron $6 million craft that hail a $3 billion program which delivers a new fighting ship every 12 days I Eyes under the sea eyes for [Music] [Music] 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 Arms [Music] a


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