PAGE ONE STORY
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Year Published: 1940s
Description:
This United Way film featuring Myron McCormick is believed to be titled "Page One Story" (main title is missing). It appears to date to the immediate post-WWII era. It was directed by Gene Milford and written by Basil Reyea and cinematography by William Miller. (Note: at the time this film was made, United Way was known either as Community Chests of America or Red Feather Services. "Red feather campaigns" took place with donors handed a red feather pin to wear as a symbol of their commitment to their community.) "Page One Story" explores the various struggles and challenges faced by individuals and families within a small town. It highlights the importance of understanding the hidden troubles people face, from juvenile delinquency and family conflicts to health issues and loneliness. The narrative emphasizes how positive community initiatives, such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Red Feather Services, play a crucial role in addressing these problems.
00:00 Small town newspaper featuring troubling news stories: juvenile delinquency, abandoned babies, and troubled families, highlighting the negativity in the world.
0:23-1:03: The editor (McCormick) speaks to his assistant Tim, reflecting on how everyone faces struggles in life, even if it isn't immediately visible. He acknowledges the hidden issues behind people's seemingly happy appearances.
1:04: Images of a Main Street USA with pedestrians, shopping district, etc. A concerned parent worries about their child, Billy, getting involved with a bad group and potentially getting arrested. Juvenile delinquent kids are seen smoking; one goes in front of a judge. The parent recognizes the need for intervention before it's too late.
2:12: A man struggles with constant arguments with his wife, Ruthie, and reflects on the difficulties they faced during tough times. He expresses frustration over their inability to communicate without fighting. A trailer park is shown followed by shot of suburbia with new houses.
3:10: Family listens to radio. Little girl reads comic book. Another person expresses worry over a loved one's health, feeling helpless and questioning whether to quit school to care for them. There’s an overwhelming sense of uncertainty and responsibility.
Inside of crowded cafeteria or restaurant shown. 4:48: A old, lonely woman talks about her past and how she now lives alone in a small room, feeling disconnected from others. She reflects on how difficult it is to live this way, but tries to remain hopeful.
Playing solitaire. 6:14: Tim continues the conversation, emphasizing that people often struggle privately and it's important to understand what’s going on inside, not just the outside.
Lifeguard at a swimming hole. Boy Scouts on patrol. 7:03: Girl Scouts or Camp Fire Girls perform a food drive. Black children receive food. Mr. Turner shares that some groups, like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, help keep kids busy and out of trouble. He talks about the importance of teaching good citizenship and providing positive experiences.
Machine Shop classroom. 7:57: Injured and recuperating servicemen watch a film on a 16mm film projector at the local USO. Narrator mentions that Red Feather Services help address various community needs, like supporting servicemen and providing entertainment for veterans, while also addressing family and social issues.
8:10: Social workers help families untangle complex issues, and Red Feather Services also help find new homes for children in need. Black child with dentist. They provide medical services for people of all ages, ensuring care for those in need.
9:11: The Red Feather Services ensure that even those who can't reach clinics receive care at home. They also offer recreation and support for elderly people. Mr. Turner explains how the community benefits from the services, with everyone contributing to the cause.
10:21: Film concludes, reflecting on the importance of supporting Red Feather Services, and the story ends with applause.
Transcription
e [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] teenagers nabbed in robbery baby abandoned in park trouble nothing but trouble isn't there any good news anymore juvenile delinquency homes breaking up people in despair needing help you know Tim those stories aren't just names in the paper they're real people just like those down there look at them window shopping talking walking along they look pretty happy don't they do you know almost everybody has troubles even if they don't know it one friend says to another how are you fine thanks the other says fine thanks I wonder [Music] I wonder what I should do there's so much in the papers about youngsters getting into trouble these days Billy will too if he keeps running around with that gang but he's not really bad they think it's smart to steal he tags along what if he got arrested could happen I couldn't stand that it mustn't happen I've got to do something before it's too late Billy needs help [Music] [Music] it beats me I can't figure it out I don't want to fight with her but it's nagg and argue day and night I know it wasn't easy on her during the war when I was working in war plants living in tourist camps trailer camps beat up housing projects no home we could call our own but we've we've got one now and still we fight we don't mean to it just happens Williams bat connects with a higgy pitch for a home run into the Centerfield bleaches it's a great day for Williams and for Boston fans in the fourth inning we get into arguments over nothing at all it's tough on Ruthie too she doesn't understand what it become a Ruthie if if we if only there was some way of talking things over without getting mad at each other because I can't take it much longer it beats me [Music] she's got to get well she's got to that's all I don't care how much money it takes I didn't know I heard them but I did he said she's got to have an operation or she'll never get well I don't want to be a kid anymore I've got to be old maybe I should quit school oh I wish I knew what to do I had a son once a fine son too he looks sort of like him if he were here but he isn't I'm all alone now all I've got is four wall two windows one door four walls two windows one door and one old woman a furnished room I shouldn't complain I suppose I'm lucky to have that but it's a lonely way to live I hate to go back there it's nicer here on the street oh stop your complaining old woman go back to your friend's room and play Sol set out the cards again 1 2 3 4 5 6 seven Sol now Tim you never know what's going on inside Folks by looking at the outside it's the inside story that matters every time well look Mr Turner if so many people are in trouble and need help like you say well it seems to me we ought to do something to help them we are doing something kids who are busy having a good time enjoying themselves they don't usually get into trouble for example take our boy scouts here in town they don't end up in court why steal or break into a store it's more fun to go on a hike the way I look at it happy kids are good kids but scouting isn't just having good times the other day I saw some Girl Scouts and campfire girls collecting food to go overseas learning how to be good citizens and good Americans is just as important as having fun and our Red Feather services are there to help us with the job little men and Little Women maybe but they're the big people of Tomorrow our settlements day accessies and neighborhood houses are helping to guard our future molding young minds training young hands Minds hands and hearts that someday will have to pick up where we left off and do a better job of it too yes happy kids are good kids and Red Feather Services give them fun and lessons and good citizenship [Music] besides our town hasn't forgotten servicemen either Uso clubs are still providing a home away from home and Uso Camp shows still bring entertainment to men overseas and to Veterans and [Music] hospitals but Recreation can't solve all these human problems of ours and so we have social workers on hand to untangle things when family relationships get all snarled up talking things over with a friendly understanding person helps things out a lot makes things clearer somehow that means homes and people saved from breakdown of course sometimes homes do break up in spite of everything and sometimes children must find new parents that's another job for Red Feather Services a lot of time and trouble goes into finding those brand new parents in this town we don't forget our neighbors when they gets sick whether it's hospitalization or clinic care whether people are old or a little on the young side they get the care and treatment that they [Music] need in fact from the very time our youngsters arrive in town we're ready and waiting for them they get the very best that medical science has to offer we've learned that disease is no respector of man-made boundaries and no respector of age either when it's hard for somebody to get to the clinic there are visiting nurses to take care of things working in cooperation with a doctor she helps people to get well right in their own homes old people need fun and Recreation too and so Red Feather Services provide places where they can go for un with friends gosh Mr Turner helping all those people that way it's wonderful but uh who pays for it everybody everybody benefits from Red Feather services and that's why everybody gives gee Mr Turner that's something for the headline you bet it is that's a story that's going to make page one in this paper look oh [Applause]
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