Living History, Democracy at Work
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Year Published: 1941
Description: "Living History, Democracy at Work" (Issue A in a series) is a documentary by Films Inc. encouraging U.S. aid to Britain, and the Lend-Lease Program. It opens with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s third inauguration in January 1941. The film highlights national unity amidst political differences. Roosevelt's leadership is seen as crucial due to the ongoing world crisis, with voters valuing his handling of foreign affairs over domestic reforms. Following the inauguration, Wendell Willkie, Roosevelt's defeated opponent in the election, embarks on a personal mission to England. His journey symbolizes democratic spirit, with support from Roosevelt's administration, including a letter to Winston Churchill. Meanwhile, back in Washington, the debate over the Lend-Lease bill for aiding Britain reflects the divided American opinion on the war. The film concludes with a depiction of America's industrial response to the crisis, showcasing the ramping up of war production across the country, the activation of military forces, and the spirit of democracy at work in preparing for defense. 00:23 The Capitol Building, Washington DC. Roosevelt leaves the White House in motorcade, parades along Pennsylvania Avenue. 01:00 The space around The Capitol is packed. Incoming vice president Henry A. Wallace is sworn in by outgoing vice president John Nance Garner. 01:10 A crowd looks on as President Roosevelt takes the oath. 01:44 Squadrons of B-17 bombers fly over in formation as a line of soldiers and sailors parade along Pennsylvania Avenue. President and Mrs. Roosevelt and their son, Marine Corps Reserve captain James Roosevelt, look on from a balcony. 01:57 Military tanks, motorcades, and troops and horse-drawn artillery proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue. 02:23 Roosevelt and entourage look on from a platform. 02:53 Title card announces that Wendell L. Willkie, defeated Republican candidate, urges aid to Britain. 03:01 Willkie and company board the Yankee Clipper of Pan American Airways in Port Washington, New York for a flight to Great Britain. 03:11 Willkie tell the press of his agenda for traveling to England. 03:28 Willkie and his entourage wave to crowds before boarding the plane. The sea plane prepares for take off. 03:43 Willkie arrives in England aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight and heads to 10 Downing Street. 03:54 Willkie and Prime Minister Winston Churchill pose for cameras. 04:16 Willkie and Ernest Bevin at the Labor of Ministry, and then to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Willkie meets with soldiers and civilians, shakes hands and fraternizes on the street and in pubs. 04:47 Willkie and others enter a public bomb shelter during an air raid. Inside the shelter he speaks with citizens about the war and pressing issues in England. 05:12 Willkie addresses the press and public, noting how many shelters he’s seen and how strong and resilient the people are. 05:31 A title card notes that England has sent a Cabinet Minister as Ambassador to Washington, DC. 05:40 Lord and Lady Halifax board the fishing steamer Coreopsis as Winston Churchill bids farewell. Halifax transfers at sea to the battleship HMS George V as the ship sails across the Atlantic. 06:30 A welcoming committee aboard President Roosevelt’s yacht greet Lord and Lady Halifax at the Naval Academy dock in Annapolis, Maryland. 06:40 Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and Secretary of State Cordell Hull in conference with Halifax. 06:52 Lord Halifax address the American public in a recorded message expressing his appreciation for American hospitality. 07:15 A title card announces the National Defense at work. 07:18 The Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol Building. Committees discuss Lease Lend bill. Cordell Hull testifies 07:52 Montana senator Burton K. Wheeler speaks in opposition 08:08 Texas Senator Morris Sheppard professes his support of the Lend Lease bill. 08:37 Workers toil in munitions factories, shipyards, launch of the cargo ship SS Cape Alava on August 3, 1940. 08:57 Factory workers assemble Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters while other factories produce munitions. 09:11 U.S. Army soldiers in parade dress march. 09:15 Soldier carrying duffle bags board a transport ship, 09:27 National Guardsman assemble and march. 09:32 Civilians line up for induction 09:40 William Knudsen, co-chair of the Office of Production Management, speaks at a conference encouraging increased production for the war effort. 10:03 U.S. Army cadets in parade dress march. 10:17 End
Complete Record: "Living History, Democracy at Work" (Issue A in a series) is a documentary by Films Inc. encouraging U.S. aid to Britain, and the Lend-Lease Program. It opens with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s third inauguration in January 1941. The film highlights national unity amidst political differences. Roosevelt's leadership is seen as crucial due to the ongoing world crisis, with voters valuing his handling of foreign affairs over domestic reforms. Following the inauguration, Wendell Willkie, Roosevelt's defeated opponent in the election, embarks on a personal mission to England. His journey symbolizes democratic spirit, with support from Roosevelt's administration, including a letter to Winston Churchill. Meanwhile, back in Washington, the debate over the Lend-Lease bill for aiding Britain reflects the divided American opinion on the war. The film concludes with a depiction of America's industrial response to the crisis, showcasing the ramping up of war production across the country, the activation of military forces, and the spirit of democracy at work in preparing for defense. 00:23 The Capitol Building, Washington DC. Roosevelt leaves the White House in motorcade, parades along Pennsylvania Avenue. 01:00 The space around The Capitol is packed. Incoming vice president Henry A. Wallace is sworn in by outgoing vice president John Nance Garner. 01:10 A crowd looks on as President Roosevelt takes the oath. 01:44 Squadrons of B-17 bombers fly over in formation as a line of soldiers and sailors parade along Pennsylvania Avenue. President and Mrs. Roosevelt and their son, Marine Corps Reserve captain James Roosevelt, look on from a balcony. 01:57 Military tanks, motorcades, and troops and horse-drawn artillery proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue. 02:23 Roosevelt and entourage look on from a platform. 02:53 Title card announces that Wendell L. Willkie, defeated Republican candidate, urges aid to Britain. 03:01 Willkie and company board the Yankee Clipper of Pan American Airways in Port Washington, New York for a flight to Great Britain. 03:11 Willkie tell the press of his agenda for traveling to England. 03:28 Willkie and his entourage wave to crowds before boarding the plane. The sea plane prepares for take off. 03:43 Willkie arrives in England aboard a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight and heads to 10 Downing Street. 03:54 Willkie and Prime Minister Winston Churchill pose for cameras. 04:16 Willkie and Ernest Bevin at the Labor of Ministry, and then to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Willkie meets with soldiers and civilians, shakes hands and fraternizes on the street and in pubs. 04:47 Willkie and others enter a public bomb shelter during an air raid. Inside the shelter he speaks with citizens about the war and pressing issues in England. 05:12 Willkie addresses the press and public, noting how many shelters he’s seen and how strong and resilient the people are. 05:31 A title card notes that England has sent a Cabinet Minister as Ambassador to Washington, DC. 05:40 Lord and Lady Halifax board the fishing steamer Coreopsis as Winston Churchill bids farewell. Halifax transfers at sea to the battleship HMS George V as the ship sails across the Atlantic. 06:30 A welcoming committee aboard President Roosevelt’s yacht greet Lord and Lady Halifax at the Naval Academy dock in Annapolis, Maryland. 06:40 Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and Secretary of State Cordell Hull in conference with Halifax. 06:52 Lord Halifax address the American public in a recorded message expressing his appreciation for American hospitality. 07:15 A title card announces the National Defense at work. 07:18 The Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol Building. Committees discuss Lease Lend bill. Cordell Hull testifies 07:52 Montana senator Burton K. Wheeler speaks in opposition 08:08 Texas Senator Morris Sheppard professes his support of the Lend Lease bill. 08:37 Workers toil in munitions factories, shipyards, launch of the cargo ship SS Cape Alava on August 3, 1940. 08:57 Factory workers assemble Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters while other factories produce munitions. 09:11 U.S. Army soldiers in parade dress march. 09:15 Soldier carrying duffle bags board a transport ship, 09:27 National Guardsman assemble and march. 09:32 Civilians line up for induction 09:40 William Knudsen, co-chair of the Office of Production Management, speaks at a conference encouraging increased production for the war effort. 10:03 U.S. Army cadets in parade dress march. 10:17 End
Transcription
[Music] Washington sees living history as the capital prepares for the first third term Inauguration in The Chronicles of the nation for the only time since the founding of the Republic this tradition is broken as Franklin Delano Roosevelt leaves the White House on his way to take the oath of office for the third successive time the sun shines bright as if to cast a good omen on what his opponents brand a dangerous Innovation and the occasion is marked by a general feeling all over the country that political animosity has been cast aside in the spirit of national Unity all space around the capital is packed as Roosevelt's running mate Henry a Wallace is sworn in by the retiring Vice President John Nance Garner then President Roosevelt takes the oath I Franklin Delano Roosevelt do solemnly swear that I will Faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability Reserve protect protect and defend the Constitution of the United States so help you God so help me go after the ceremonies the Roar of battle planes ushers in the inaugural parade and endless lines of troops on Washington's wide streets remind Mr Roosevelt that the prime reason for his reelection is the world crisis the campaign was hard fought and through it all friend the constant threat that America might have to fight to protect her way of life voters felt that Mr Roosevelt knew how to handle foreign problems asked themselves if it were safe to change horses in Midstream but other voters wondered whether the continuance of social reforms here was not even more important than concern over the nation's place in the international scene and beneath the brave show of National Defense in Washington this day lies a realization that this administration's outstanding characteristic has been its effort to improve the lot of the average US citizen but now with the forces of aggression let loose in a world at war democracy symbolizes its will to win in a display of the arms and men who may be called on to defend its very right to live Wendel Wilkey America's Best Known private citizen sets out on a one-man Mission he's off for Europe to study England's War needs I'm going over to England for a few weeks I'm going to find out all I can about conditions in England I believe so strongly that the survival of Britain is the best Assurance of this country keeping out of War wil's trip is an extraordinary example of democracy at work for here is the defeated candidate in one of the hardest fault presidential campaigns on record working on his own time to reinforce his conviction that the president's foreign policy is right although undertaken at wil's own bition the trip is naturally helped in every way by the administration and he arrives in England armed with a letter from President Roosevelt to Britain's prime minister Winston Churchill confering with the Supreme head of the Empire's war effort Mr Wilkey gets a front row seat from which to view Britain's War he given every chance to appraise her need for our help he bids Mr Churchill farewell then he goes to the labor Ministry where he talks with Ernest bevon about Britain's problems of factory Manpower then to visit historic St Paul's which survives the worst Blaze since the Fire of London in 1666 his sympathetic geniality with soldiers and civilians alike makes Mr wilky a popular hero during his brief stay in England he feels the pulse of this sister democracy Now standing as Europe's last line of defense for Freedom Wilkey mixes with all kinds and classes not just leaders and government officials but with English workers shopkeepers and taxi drivers to get the Viewpoint of Britain's masses and as he leaves an air raid sends him into one of London's public bomb shelters here he talks manto man with common Englishman and I'd very much like to go with you to fine but you're going to stay here this is over we're going to help you put it over I have been through four or five shelters I've seen probably several thousand people I haven't seen one that was afraid here here nobody can beat the nation with such a spirit yeah here here here Lord and Lady Halifax board a little fishing steamer with Winston Churchill Great Britain's prime minister is bidding farewell to Lord Halifax still a Cabinet member but with the extraordinary extra assignment of ambassador to the United States Halifax transfers at Sea to HMS George 5th newest capital ship of the royal Navy the whole Affair sets precedence and Lord Halifax arrives at Annapolis roads to receive an unheard of Honor he is informed that the president of the United States will meet the 35,000 T battleship in the presidential yacht Pac the meeting between the president and Britain's Envoy is in the seclusion of Mr Roosevelt State room that night as the presidential yacht arrives the Press joins a welcoming committee of important government officials at the Annapolis Naval Academy dock Secretary of the Navy Knox talks to the new Ambassador who calls on Cardell Hull our secretary of state the next day here Lord Halifax discusses the formal aspects of his mission but he puts real feeling into a statement to the American people the president has done my country the great honor of coming to greet us on arrival and his action in meeting his majesty ship K George V will be tremendously appreciated in Great Britain and in every part of the British Empire meanwhile democratic debate decides an important issue in Washington while England counts Invasion possibilities in weeks hours or minutes Committees of the House and Senate take testimony on the president's lease lend bill for Aid to Britain Cordell Hull testifies in favor of the proposed measure but the bill dramatically numbered HR 1776 stirs controversy that shows America by no means in agreement as to the immediacy of the act's Menace our minds are not made up but we're making them up in the Democratic way typifying isolationist opinion Montana's Senator Burton K wheeler opposes the measure if you people want dictatorship if you people want war then the president's Lend Lease give bill should be steamrolled through Congress senator Shepard of Texas States his views on the administration's lease land bill every means within our possession short of War itself should be rushed at once to the aid of Britain and Greece and China we are providing for this in the so-called lend lease bill now pending before Congress thus we are taking the most effective step to protect the security and peace of our own country but the ponderous wheels of Industry keep up their ever increasing Pace from the canbec to the Columbia Rivers shipyards launch their output to the Seas Warcraft for a two ocean Navy and vessels to replace the toll of ubo Warfare on Britain's Merchant Fleet airplane orders fill old and new factories with thousands of workers and speeding lathes defy the charge that democracy won't work starting guns and Munitions on the march to overwhelming mass production without waiting for complete Armament the men who use this vast output of weapons begin to learn with what they have regular outfits move to take over new bases for us defense or get ready to train the great draft armies National Guardsmen from every state are called into active service and the Democratic device of Selective Service gets rolling as millions of Americans rich and poor join the colors for a Year's training William nudson once an immigrant Danish boy is now co-chairman of the office of production management can't we stop this blackout this lack of production from Friday to Monday and get more out of the equip we can train a man to operate it isn't it possible put the defense jar on a war basis even if we at peace nudson strikes the keynote of the very Spirit of democracy at work as America puts its shoulder to the wheel building defense against those who would strike democracy down
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