Author Archive: Retro

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.

In 1923, a local resident of British Colonial Nigeria tries to be equal with the colonial administration.

Hank Wilson is a driver for a truck for a big transportation company which is in financial straits. He is in love with Doris Lacy, a waitress at the truck-stop where the company has its truck fleet serviced. Frequent accidents near the place leads the company to hire a private detective to investigate, and when the detective is murdered Hank is arrested as a suspect. The insurance company that covers the fleet has him released and he is sent back to work with instructions to investigate the accidents on his own. The trail leads to the uncle of Doris, and one of the part-owners of the company.