Cinematic Era: 1944 Vintage

A compilation of some of the action (on sea, air, and Normandy beach) that took place from D Day to Day Plus 3, 6-9 June 1944. Likely shown at SHAEF headquarters in London, June 12th.

Students get tired of practicing the classics and start a jazz band.

Overview of the Desert campaigns of the Second World War using historical footage taken during the battles.

A Secrets of Life short.

A Marathi film by Keshavrao Date.

Behind-the-lines documentary filmed by World War II correspondent Jack Lieb. Most of the footage shows areas already cleared by Allied forces as they made their way to Germany.

A Soundie with Lee Sullivan and The Dream Dolls.

Soundies short film featuring the Les Paul Trio and Carolyn Grey

During this time of war, Canadian men are battling on the front. But the chain of command and information about what happens on the battlefield is often a two-way communication between the front and the authorities back in Canada. It is in many of those at home functions that women can play an important role in the war effort, they in military functions members of the Canadian Women's Army Corps.

The construction of chains of airfields in northwestern Canada was a difficult job of strategic importance in the war effort.

The plot revolves around the confusion and misunderstandings that arise when a package labeled "Postlagernd 212" arrives in a small Swiss village. The village community is curious and speculates about the contents of the package, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic events.

Mondrian's last painting, Victory Boogie-Woogie, which he began in 1943, sadly remained unfinished at the time of the artist's death on February 1, 1944, from pneumonia. The painter's sole heir was the young artist Harry Holtzman. During the German Blitz of London in 1940, Holtzman had arranged for Mondrian to come to New York. Holtzman rented an apartment-studio for him, and during the next three and a half years he was one of Mondrian’s most intimate associates.

This film was produced to heighten productivity in civilian homefront industries during World War II. Aimed at employers and workers alike, it shows problems faced by some workers (especially working women) in balancing home and family duties against the necessity to report to work on time and work regular hours.

Mexican movie

Mexican movie

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

Director unknown, MGM studios from Issue 24 April 1944.

A snowman figures out a way to last until July in an attempt to see the summer season and its beautiful flowers.

Ben K. Blake went out his way to ensure that vaudeville wouldn't die, and his series of film shorts virtually guaranteed it would. This one features Reg Keyoe and his All-Girl Marimba Band, the three dancing Winters Sisters, and The Modernaires. And, Andy and Florence Mayo got into their two-piece costume and kept the career of Pansy the Dancing Horse alive.

The Modernaires sing "Juke Box Saturday Night".

An old fisherman compares his life with that of a modern fisherman and farmer. Film shows North East Scotland's industries, its scenery and its history.

Meritta Moore and her group dance.

The music group The Three Suns, perform the title song.

The 957th Day was a propaganda short produced by the US Navy in 1944. The film uses authentic battle footage of the taking of Guam on July 21, 1944, and one narration follows the battle chronologically, while another narration mimics a radio news caster voice.

Documentary showing how the American railroad system contributes to the war effort by moving supplies, war material and troops quickly and efficiently to get everything that's needed to the front lines.

A training documentary about typing in the war office for The U.S. Navy.

This documentary short film depicts various situations in which B-24 bombers, damaged in combat, may be landed safely despite the destruction of various landing-related equipment on the aircraft. Footage of several damaged aircraft landing safely is accompanied by descriptions of the damage and of the means used by pilots to counter the effects of that damage.

Documentary short subject providing an overview of fundamental information for pilots and co-pilots of the Mitchell B-25 medium bomber. Pre-flight checklists are detailed, including warnings against common accidents on the ground. Take-off under both normal and short-runway/obstacle conditions is explained. Normal flight and flight with loss of one engine is demonstrated, ending with normal and single-engine landing techniques and parking instructions.

Army Air Forces Report

Ministers Gerbrandy, Burger, Van Heuven Goedhart, Van Lidth de Jeude, and v.d. Broek arrive at Welschap Airfield near Eindhoven in a Dakota. They are returning from their five-year exile. The Dakota lands at the airfield. After disembarking, the ministers are greeted and pose briefly for the camera. A war correspondent conducts a short interview with Gerbrandy.

Training film about the aircraft magneto -- an engine driven electrical generator that uses permanent magnets and coils to produce high voltage electricity to fire the aircraft spark plugs. Aircraft magnetos are used in piston aircraft engines and known for their simplicity and reliability.

Silent footage of the red cross visiting WW2 concentration camp Amersfoort. The only known footage shot of Kamp Amersfoort during WW2.

British newsreel official film dedicated to men and women of Anti-Aircraft Command recalls, over actuality material and some staged sound sequences, rapid deployment of ack-ack guns and rockets under General Sir Frederick Pile to Southern England as a successful first line of defence against German V1 "flying-bombs" targeted against London from 12 June 1944.

This film shows the medical treatment, social, recreational, and occupational activities, and rehabilitation of female inhabitants of a venereal disease rapid treatment center. Shots include: venereal disease treatment center for women (former CCC camp), girls arriving at a small county jail, physical exam with vaginal smear, inoculation, interview to determine sexual contacts, intravenous drip treatment, occupational therapy, both physical and mental, recreational activities, and farewell and departure.

Documentary about juvenile delinquency (smoking and drinking) in small town America.

The farce is set in Turku in the summer of 1940. Olavi Vuori, the son of a landowner, sets out to investigate shortages that have occurred in his father's lumberyard. At the site, he meets two bumbling friends, Sami and Santtu, who have unwittingly become involved in theft. Anni Koivu, an orphaned Karelian girl who looks after the pair's finances, falls in love with Olavi, much to the displeasure of their foreman, Haapala.

During this time of war, Canadian men are battling on the front. But the chain of command and information about what happens on the battlefield is often a two-way communication between the front and the authorities back in Canada. It is in many of those at home functions that women can play an important role in the war effort, they in military functions members of the Canadian Women's Army Corps.

Documentary about Iceland’s establishment of a republican system of government in 1944.

The plot revolves around the confusion and misunderstandings that arise when a package labeled "Postlagernd 212" arrives in a small Swiss village. The village community is curious and speculates about the contents of the package, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic events.

This somber WWII War Bond promotional film shows the activities of the Quartermaster Effects Depot in Kansas City, Missouri. Here, some of the hundreds of thousands of personal effects for the deceased — wrapped in 2000 bundles each month — were processed, to be sent back to grieving families.

Tallinn after the March bombing, filmed in April and May 1944.

Shows the teacher-training school established by the British government at Achimota, on the Gold Coast of Africa. Describes student life, which is organized cooperatively, academic activities, the instructional staff, the emphasis on practical arts, extracurricular activities, and future responsibilities of the students. [Description from Media Collections Online]

The film follows the Glen Clova postwoman Jean Cameron on her rounds (on her bicycle) and documents the introduction of the ‘Camerons’ — uniform trousers for postwomen. They were named after this very same postwoman, who started the fashion after requesting trousers instead of the regulation skirt.

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

A short silent film promoting the city of Chicago's hospitality to servicemen, with various scenes taken at a "Summer Center" on Lake Michigan circa 1944.

Second World War "Careless Talk" short in the style of a silent comic melodrama with a rhyming commentary made to be shown to RAF personnel.

Combat Bulletin was a new reel type series keeping folks up-to-date with the combat of World War II.

Daisy Daisy, Old McDonald Had a Farm, Home on the Range, and Alouette are sung by the Four Gentlemen Quartet. Animated cartoons illustrate these songs.

Documentary short on Nyborg, Denmark.

An old fisherman compares his life with that of a modern fisherman and farmer. Film shows North East Scotland's industries, its scenery and its history.

The Three Suns perform "Caravan".