Public Domain Movies

Am I Trustworthy? (1950)
Running Time: 10 mins Black & White

Eddie Johnson is disappointed that none of his friends nominated him for treasurer of the school hobby club, he latter learns from his dad the importance of being trustworthy.

America and You - A Day of Thanksgiving (1939)
Running Time: 12 mins Black & White

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving would be the next-to-last Thursday of November rather than the last. With the country still in the midst of The Great Depression, Roosevelt thought this would give merchants a longer period to sell goods before Christmas. Increasing profits and spending during this period, Roosevelt hoped, would aid bringing the country out of the Depression. At the time, it was considered inappropriate to advertise goods for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. However, Roosevelt's declaration was not mandatory; twenty-three states went along with this recommendation, and 22 did not. Other states, like Texas, could not decide and took both weeks as government holidays. Roosevelt persisted in 1940 to celebrate his "Franksgiving," as it was termed. The U.S. Congress in 1941 split the difference and established that the Thanksgiving would occur annually on the fourth Thursday of November, which was sometimes the last Thursday and sometimes the next to last. On November 26 that year President Roosevelt signed this bill into U.S. law.

America and You - Are You Ready for Service (1951)
Running Time: 10 mins Black & White

High school students anticipate and prepare for the military draft.

America and You - Despotism (1946)
Running Time: 9 mins Black & White

Released after WWII, this amazing film illustrates the thesis that all communities can be ranged on a scale running from democracy to despotism. The two chief characteristics of despotism -- restricted respect and concentrated power -- are defined and illustrated. Don't be surprised if today's modern democracies don't fare so well when measured against this film..

America and You - Patriotism (1933)
Running Time: 7 mins Black & White
Starring: E. C. Segar
Popeye the Sailor is an American animated series of comedy short films based on the titular comic strip character created by E. C. Segar. In 1933, Max and Dave Fleischer's Fleischer Studios adapted Segar's characters into a series of Popeye the Sailor theatrical cartoon shorts for Paramount Pictures. In May 1941, Paramount Pictures assumed ownership of Fletcher Studios. Paramount fired the Fleischers and began reorganizing the studio, which they renamed Famous Studios. With Famous Studios headed by Sam Buchwald, Seymour Kneitel, Isadore Sparber and Dan Gordon, production continued on the Popeye shorts.

Ellis Island - Island of Hope, Island of Tears (1989)
Running Time: 420 mins Color
Starring: Peter Riegert, Gregory Paul Martin, Claire Bloom
The lives and struggles of some of the countless immigrants who arrived on Ellis Island during the 19th century in search of the American Dream.

Jefferson and Monroe (1940)
Running Time: 8 mins Color

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 (April 2, 1743 O.S.) -- July 4, 1826) was an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the third President of the United States (1801--1809). At the beginning of the American Revolution, he served in the Continental Congress, representing Virginia and then served as a wartime Governor of Virginia (1779--1781). Just after the war ended, from mid-1784 Jefferson served as a diplomat, stationed in Paris. In May 1785, he became the United States Minister to France.

The War of 1812 (1967)
Running Time: 59 mins Black & White
Starring: Ronald Dick, Pierre L'Amare
Struggle for a Border: Canada's Relations with the United States