Author Archive: Retro

A foreign spy is arrested in a city park by FBI agents.

The papers read, “two American citizens were key figures in the spy network. Further arrests are expected shortly.” That’s one strike against the daily enemy.

The Daily Enemy, an early 1960’s anti-spy film produced by the US Department of Defense, is a warning message to all contractors involved in sensitive defense projects.

Saturated in technicolor accompanied with a lush soundtrack, dangerous scenarios play out with classic mid-twentieth century characters that could have been conjured to life out of a 1950’s clip art book.

How could a decent American sell his country down the river?

However, spy craft is not always so spectacular, and even the everyday citizen can become a target. Engineers in Detroit, secretaries in Connecticut, and machinists in California are all vulnerable if they are working on high security clearance projects.

Don’t let vanity get in the [...]

Produced to convince Depression-weary Americans that new frontiers still lay ahead. Excellent compilation of stock shots of 1930s-era manufacturing, research laboratories and industry.

This marvelous and illuminating history of America from the end of World War I to the Great Crash of 1929 offers a look at the historical, social, music and cultural events that took place in this exciting era. Narrated by Fred Allen.

Great shot of movie cameraman in woods shooting birds at close range.
Describes insect pests. Birds are “nature’s check against these hardened criminals.”
Children building bird houses under direction of Audubon societies.
“Building and renting bird houses encourages children in the study of civics.”
“A delegation from the schools of Portland, Oregon, organizing a colonization scheme for their home woods.” Children seen in front of Multnomah Falls.

A man who works late hours at a deadening job lives together with his wife and his younger sister. The younger sister’s a modern girl who’s starting to receive romantic attention from one of her co-workers.

Short with Laurel & Hardy showing wartime uses of wood.

Short nature film about chipmunks.