Author Archive: Retro

A hard-working woman trying to support her family and working at a menial, low-paying job falls for a low-life and before she knows it, he has her working as a prostitute in a bordello.

Dir. Frank Capra. Part of the “Why We Fight” series, volume 2. Hope for peace is abandoned when the Nazis invand Austria, Chechoslovakia, and Poland.We see the events of Nazi Germany’s diplomatic and military acts of international aggression. One by one, we learn of the Nazi’s consistently underhanded and relenting violation of every promise of peace and exploitation of their foes’s attempts of appeasement until the invasion of Poland September of 1939 which led to Britain and France finally taking an armed stand against Hitler.

Leni Riefenstahl’s documentary footage of 1936 Berlin Olympics. The film Olympia I – Festival of Nations and Olympia II – Festival of beauty were created on the specific wish of Adolf Hitler and were intended to spread Nazi propaganda. Despite the grim background to these games, the black American Jessie Owens won four gold medals, the Slovene Leon ?tukelj came second with his performance on the rings. The film includes the only known clip of ?tukelj from these Olympic games.

Dir. Frank Capra. From Frank Capra’s “Why We Fight” series, volume 3. The Nazi conquests of Norway, Belgium, France, Holland are documented and explained. Intense final footage of Paris citizens wailing as Hitler rides through.

Dir. Frank Capra. From Frank Capra’s “Why We Fight” series, volume 5. England’s brave few defend against the onslaught of the Nazis.

Dir. Frank Capra. Part of Capra’s “Why We Fight” series, volume 7. A look at 1940’s common America as they prepare for war.

Dir. Frank Capra. From “Why We Fight” series, volume 4. The Nazi march is frozen at the gates of Moscow as the German army suffers a crippling defeat. AAN Best Documentary.

Dir. Frank Capra. From Frank Capra’s “Why We Fight” series, volume 6. Explores the culture and industry of China, Japan’s determination to conquer the Chinese, and the Chinese resist the invasion of the Japanese.

Dir. Frank Capra. Part of Capra’s “Why We Fight” series.Famous U.S. Army training film in WWII before theatrical release, asks ‘why we fight.’ The answer compares the ‘free’ and ‘slave’ worlds. Included: development of dictatorships in Italy, Germany and Japan, while anti-militarism and isolationism rise in the USA; a look at enemy propaganda; and the first acts of aggression. Walter Huston narrates a combination of archival footage, maps, and other graphics. Look at events of 1931-39 including Italy’s conquest of Ethiopia and Japan’s conquest of Manchuria.