Motion Pictures and the War Effort
Investigation of alleged war propaganda films by the Senate Subcommittee of the Interstate Commerce Committee in the fall of 1941 gave wide emphasis to the power of motion pictures. The Pearl Harbor incident changed the complexion of the public's attitude toward motion pictures and resulted in increased use of this medium in the war effort. Motion pictures are compared to other mediums of propaganda, such as the newspaper, the radio, the pulpit, and the comic strip. Under the stress of the war effort the word “propaganda” loses some of its stigma. Some of the motion pictures considered at the Senate's investigation are now being distributed widely with the Government's blessing. Nature of interest in motion pictures explained. Represent direct approach to the mind through the eye and ear in a common language. Power of motion pictures significant in terms of the millions of people who see them. Government use of motion picture films includes all branches of military service and auxiliary services, as well as the general American public, allied and neutral nations. — The National Archives' principal interest in moiton pictures is that of preservation and service.
- Print ISSN
- 0097-5834
- Published
- 1943-05
- Content type
- Original Research
- DOI
- 10.5594/J09856