Cinematic Era: 1939 Vintage

A Secrets of Life short.

On board the US naval vessel "Chelan" as it stops at Attu Island, Alaska and the crew carries out lifeboat drill. Isabel Hutchison has her photograph taken with the crew.

This 1939 black and white classroom film produced by Encyclopedia Britannica Films in collaboration with H.C. Raven of the American Museum of Natural History depicts indigeonous Central African foragers, aka Mbuti, Bambuti, or Pygmy peoples of the African Congo. Emphasis is placed on methods of hunting and gathering food, while artisanal crafts of basket making and shelter construction are also depicted in this educational documentary short.

Footage of the 1939 Simpson Desert Expedition, led by Dr. Cecil Thomas (C.T.) Madigan, with a team of nine. In 1929 CT Madigan undertook a series of aerial reconnaissances of central Australia and in 1939 followed this up with a scientific expedition into the Simpson Desert. His expedition crossed the desert in 25 days with a party of nine, pioneering the use of mobile radio communication, and making extensive zoological and botanical collections, which included 14 new species of spiders. The geology of the desert was also recorded. This was the first scientific examination of the Simpson Desert and only the second complete crossing by a European. Madigan's expedition was financed by AA Simpson of Adelaide. His book of the journey is titled' Crossing the Dead Heart'.

A film about the history of Sweden's Social Democratic Women's Association.

Short documentary film.

At the start of 1939 an exodus of nearly 500,000 Spanish Republicans, soldiers and civilians together, fleeing Franco's troops crossed the border to France. Louis Llech, a Perpignan based shopkeeper and enlightened amateur cineaste, owned a 16mm camera. Together with his friend Isambert, he filmed this extraordinary migration. Fascinated by the military aspect of this Retirada, he favoured shots of parades, of crowds, like those showing military equipment. He nonetheless also showed civilian distress, without insisting on its picturesque aspects, focussing more on images of the uninterrupted flow of refugees.

Sushila, marries an old widower, Dasapont, in order to pay for her younger brother's education. Dasapont already has a son, the social worker and professor Ashok, who is horrified at his father's decision and begs Sushila to reconsider, but she marries the old man anyway.

A major Maratha historical focusing on Shivaji. The villainous Subedar of Kalyan, in his effort to defeat 17th C. Maratha emperor Shivaji, abducts a Maratha damsel. However, Shivaji and his trusted lieutenant, the equally legendary Netaji Palkar, overcome this threat.

The film is a classical process-film that describes the making of commercial products, from initial manufacturing of raw material to final selling.

Oil arrives at the Ayrshire end of the Firth of Clyde: this fine documentary tells the story of the process, and of oil’s use to power Scotland’s industries. Informative throughout and at times very evocative, it was directed by Ruby Grierson, too often overshadowed by her brother John, ‘the father of British documentary’, but a good filmmaker in her own right, who was killed during WWII.

Colour amateur documentary from 1939 on life in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, produced by Frances Hotham. Part 1 (South Africa) includes arrival at Durban, Natal and Howick Falls, war dances at Inanda (Natal) and the Rose Deep Gold Mine (Johannesburg). Also, Cecil Rhodes’ grave and views of the Victoria Falls. Part 2 (Rhodesia and the Cape Peninsular) includes the Zambezi river and gorges, Umtali, Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, Cecil Rhodes’ memorial, Table Mountain and Kalk Bay.

The history of America's familiar Stars and Stripes flag is chronicled, alongside the historical events that shaped America from its colonial roots through its expansion into a union of 48 states, with an empire extending into the Pacific.

About famous racehorse Seabiscuit

A remake (or ripoff) of Chaplin's City Lights

A story set in 1811 as Napoleon is gathering men to go into war. Eight years later Father Joseph Mohr sits down and writes the song Silent Night.