AMERICA’S CALL TO ARMS
Sign in to track this film in your collection or want list.
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).
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2K. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
Transcription
[Music] America prepared all american authors its pattern of life and work to meet the demand for perfection industry is a double set to supply the sinews of safety the armaments of war and 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 who rise live and plan with one fellow man America's fast food sources are harnessed to the job of being the world are no for this and other democracy a present-day production of armaments is but a mere fraction of the great job that lies ahead the lower production in clanton shipyard James P vessels of all side carriers merchantmen supreme flip 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 with it heroes everyone here owes five a million men who abandoned form and vocations the same way we're ready to defend democracy if necessary 30 of body firm in spirit demon marine soldiers and fliers a huge civilian armies joins in this great defense program Bridget rough work this training actual combat is simulated conditions metal masters no problem that may arise we'll find these men wanting men like these are not to be stopped no individuals no evasive words of beef no group action or selfish interest will be allowed to impede their growing strengths effectiveness and safety or to say were sacrificing every advantage of civilian life they who hold the torch of freedom closes every division of the Army Navy and Marine Corps is rapidly instructed in the modern methods of see sense and often all America is behind these elements supplying an uninterested flow of materials or machines of mechanized night [Music] America's making many thanks Americans are rapidly learning their use a rough branch of the service making all the more necessary of the intensive training of the day for brutal preparation against any threat to fail in less than a year miracle barrack in the production of tank rolling fortresses gear to demolish anything in their path conquering all obstacles on every and nature of parade [Music] [Applause] Americans must know their every face for defense and selfish [Music] [Music] the quick settings please the portable produced for the events of lumbering powerful tank board for under the infantry successor to the cavalry as wars are conducted today [Music] Gus cars are new to him more are needed more will be supplied [Music] [Music] on guard at the Panama Canal uncle sam pfeifle water life line joining the two great oceans of the world collection of this most important artery blessed with many division if therefore searching eyes would look down from the sky from the Atlantic to the Pacific soldiers sailors Marines are trained especially to guard this long thinly 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 peace [Music] alert is America's Coast offense now it takes on new important thousands of anti-aircraft guns and thousands more information America's Coast must be invulnerable [Music] America's Army it takes to the air more and more promise we'll obvious emblem I'm 250 respective going air our modest and pretty guided by pilots second amana men planning with farmers with fighters with pursue plans include Whitman learning every formation learning to keep the air above America free [Music] [Music] long before any foreign nation utilize parachute jumping it's a practical form of warfare Uncle Sam's Air Force in perspective this means of offense and of defense first the equipment of guns and accessories are thrown safely to the earth then the men fly alone there's a whirlwind descent then its target the parachute opens supplied the men were thinking [Music] now the slow-motion camera analyzes the joke [Music] for graphic form the parachutist is expected to land standing on his two feet the United States Navy's newest triple threat at mosquitoes torpedo squadron mile a minute crap designed for harbor protection coast patrol and didn't wanna say each plan by a pic proved nine they carry four torpedoes and Quinn machine gun before the skyline of New York City they paint a frightening picture for those who would dare attempt sensation of our shores and of our Liberty [Music] but the fleet is the total hitting might of the United States Navy gigantic floating fortresses designed to carry massive gun and deliver their unfairness fire in defense of the nation Shore America's call to arms directs of to ocean they base of heavy cruisers destroyers submarines and planes planes ever drawing in effectiveness to find the animation bomb him taste his plane from the air and observe the fire of their own benefit a navy by warships spread between a huge verdict on super bummer a four-engine monster fast and formidable Martha spires are on the way make the two ocean may be a reality Uncle Sam submarine squadron six million dollar class the tale of three billion dollar program which delivers a new fighting ship every 12 page eyes under the sea eyes for defense [Music] through America's big guns the nation roars on guard I'm guard to the end that Uncle Sam's manpower in industry men flooring actions shall continue to answer America's call to arms [Music]
1 user has this film:
Periscope Film
No related films.
Original permalink · Record added: 2025-06-27 17:24:55