Newsreels 1945 pt. 3

release sheet
The quotes in these descriptions are from the Universal release sheets that were sent to theaters twice weekly. This Sept. 26, 1945, sheet is a xerox copy in the National Archives.
1945/06/14 - Allies Sign Control Law For Germany (1) "The Allied Control Commission for the conduct of affairs in civil Germany is brought into being by the military signatories for hte four powers who will administer the quadruple occupation of Germany. General Eisenhower signs for the United States, Marshal Montgomery for the British, Marshal Zhukov for the Soviets and General de Tassigny for France." scenes of agreement signed at Zhukov's headquarters in Berlin (2) GI's Tour Hitler's Headquarters - "Thousands of vacationing G.I.'s swarm over Berchesgaden - the hideout of Europe's one-time, temporary master. Hitler's home, with its tunnel entrances, music room, bed room, art collection and cage room is full of interest. But the 'Eagle's Nest,' on the mountain top, reserved for contemplation and ponderous thinking, is the prime attraction. Hitler's butler and family extend affable welcomes to the Yankee visitors." scenes of Hitler's butler and family at mountain retreat of Berchesgarden and Eagle's Nest, phonograph records of Hitler's classical music collection, art works (3) Personalities in the News - "White House Visitors - President Truman welcomes Gen. George S. Patton to the White House. Harry Hopkins reports to the President from Moscow, as does Joseph E. Davies from London. Both emissaries are laying the ground work for the next meeting of the leaders of the Big Three." (4) Airport Fog No Longer A Menace - "Fog Investigation Dispersal Operation is Britain's successful answer to the age old problem of dispersing banks of fog. Flaming pipe lines melt fog away at airports. Landing plans appear ghost-like through the shimmering heat waves set up by the operation." scenes of British secret fog dispersal revealed, FIDO, that uses fire to create heat to disperse fog at airports, used at Battle of the Bulge (5) Norway Hails Freedom - "Norwegian school children celebrate Independence with added fervor this year because of the expulsion of the Nazis, and because of the victory feast of Danish sausages and buns." scenes of Prince Olaf waves at children with flags (6) Yanks Rest in Venice - "Vacationing G.I.'s enjoy the sights of the canal city - Venice Italy as Tony, the troubadour gondalier, provides the hot licks in the muscle department." scenes of GIs on tour in amphibs and gondolas (7) Stay Home, Government Pleads - "Washington, DC: Col. J. Monroe Johnson, Director of the Office of Defense Transportation admonishes Americans to spend their variations at home this year, so that Yanks may be moved to the Pacific fronts." scenes of 3.5 million men must be moved from Atlantic to Pacific, some to hospitals, Col. Johnson speaks. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-407 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/06/18 - Gen. "Ike" Man of the Hour (1) "The General of the Army receives a riotous reception on his arrival in Washington. More than a million people forget the heat and humidity to roar their welcome to the man who has been termed one of the greatest generals in history. His message to Congress is a message to all Americans, as he pleads for unity in the war to be won. London: General Eisenhower is given the freedom of the city, an honor that has been granted to but five Americans. Another symbolic honor is the presention of the Duke of Wellington's sword before the general addresses a throng at Mansion House. He tells them that they helped cement the bond between the two countries. Paris: In the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe, General Eisenhower is decorated with the Medal of Liberation by General Charles de Gaulle. The liberator of Frances receives his reward." scenes of Ike honored in England, rides in carriage, speaks from balcony, "I am a Londoner myself" then to France, at French Tomb of Unkonwn Soldier, with DeGaulle, tours the city of Paris, comes home to U.S., welcomed at Washington DC by Mamie, drives down Pennsylvania Ave. to Capitol, speaks to Congress in House chamber, to White House lawn for medal from President Truman. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-408 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/06/25 - President on Tour (1) "Olympia, WA: Taking a brief vacation before addressing the final session of the San Francisco Conference, President Truman goes fishing (you guessed it, they all got away), and then visits majestic Mount Ranier." scenes of Truman guest at Governor's mansion, Charles Ross with press, Truman decorates soldier with Congressional Medal of Honor, fishes in Puget Sound in colorful sweater, travels to Mt. Ranier and throws snowball (2) Eisenhower Honored by Home Town - "Abilene, Kansas: The farm youth who left for West Point and a career that brought him worldwide fame returns to receive the honours of his home town. 'Ike' is welcomed as a neighbor, not as the hero who led his men to victory." (3) Jap Suicide Pilots Strike U.S. Carriers - "In the Pacific: Nip 'Kamikaze' pilots, in fanatical attemmpts to die for their Emperor, are shot down in numbers by one of our Task Forces. Some get through and crash their plans on the decks of our ships. Our men, attempting to bring their planes in safely, have trouble aplenty, one bursting in flames after landing." scenes of Japan targets strafed by U.S. planes, takeoffs and landings on aircraft carriers, fires, kamikaze planes attack, 90% driven off, one plane hits stern of carrier USS Bunker Hill, fire hoses, 375 dead, burial at sea, USS Bunker Hill reaches repair yard. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-410 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/06/28 - San Francisco Parley Ends [some sound missing] (1) "San Francisco, CA: President Truman flies to the city for the last session of the United Nations Conference and is greeted at hte airport by Secretary of State Edward Stettinius before a parade through the streets. At his hotel he confers with Adiral Nimitz on the war in the Pacific. Later he witnesses the voting as fifty nations sigh the Charter that marks ne hopes for an era of peace. First to sign is China, followed by Russia, Great Britain and France. Then Mr. Stettinius affixes his signature for the United States, one of his last acts as Secretary of State. The President's address to the conference emphasizes the hope for a better world with this Charter of the United Nations and stresses it as a victory against war itself. Independence, Missouri: The President's home town turns out en masse to roar a welcome to his first visit home as Chief Executive." (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-411 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/07/02 - Sea Queen Home with 15,000 Vets (1) Cunard passenger liner Queen Elizabeth arrives with soldiers, most from 8th Air Force (2) Okinawa Mop Up, by Gen. Buckner and 10th Army (3) Bombers Rip Jap Outpost (4) World's Biggest Bomb -11-ton monster bomb that buries self deep in ground, used a few times in Germany (5) New Cabinet Members Sworn In - Hannigan as Postmaster General, Tom Clark, as Attorney General, Swellenback as Secretary of Labor, Anderson as Secretary of Agriculture (6) Santa Anita Handicap horse race - Thumbs tied Sea Biscuit's track record to win. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-412 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/07/05 - Final Days of Struggle in Okinawa (1) a few prisoners taken on Okinawa (2) New Flames To Burn Japs - flamethrower with long-range extension, and 100 yards from tank, incindiary bombs (3) Timberwolf Divisions Come Home - 104th Division under Gen. Terry Allen fought at D-Day (4) Warning on Winter Fuel (5) GI's Swim De Luxe - occupying troops in Austrian Trolian Alps use large pool (6) Bald Domes Get Heads Together - meeting in Port Arthur, Texas, of bald men (7) Aviation in the News - helicopter training, Tiger Cat is Navy's first twin-engine fighter plane. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-413 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/07/09 - Czechs Fight For Freedom (1) Partisans rose up 5 days before VE day against Germans, then Russians entered Prague, Benes arrived home (2) Britain's Wall of Fire - planned to protect British coastline in case of invasion (3) La Guardia Reads The Funnies - New York mayor shown reading Sunday comics, telling Dick Tracy story aloud into WNYC radio mic. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-414 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/07/16 - Jet Planes in Action (1) (silent except sound of jet takeoff) (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-416 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/07/19 - Pres. Truman En Route to Conference (1) TRUMAN ON SHIP CROSSES ENGLISH CHANNEL TO POTSDAM CONFERENCE - "As the sleek U.S. cruiser 'Augusta' speeds along the Atlantic, President Truman holds final preparatory conferences with Sec. of State Byrnes and Admiral Leahy. For relaxation, the President enjoys his 'constitutionals' on ship deck, then is seen heartily enjoying mess with the crew." (2) Ryukus Made Springboard for Invasion - "U.S. Marine divisions invade the islands of Ibeya and Auni, near Okinawa. The usual heavy bombardments which preceded such pacific island landings, knock out the Jap defences so completely that the landings are made unopposed. Numerous Jap prisoners are taken, and medical treatment and food are given the cowering natives." - two small islands captured northwest of Okinawa in the Ryukus. (3) British and Canadians Enter Berlin (4) Dramatic End of a British Fighting Ship - "Four minutes after H.M.S. 'Barham' is torpedoed in the Mediterranean she capsizes. While her men are desperately trying to leave ship, her magazines explode, filling the screen with fire, flame and smoke." - cameraman photographs sinking of ship. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-417 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/07/23 - Cruiser Bow Ripped Off By Typhoon (1) 21 ships of Admiral Halsey's 3rd fleet damaged off Japan, USS Pittsburgh lost 100 feet of bow, but survived; (2) 44th Division Comes Home, on passenger liner, greeted by Marlene Dietrich; (3) Fire Destroys Lake Steamer - ship Harmonic on Lake Ontario; (4) Aviation in the News - 72-ton MARS flying boat christened in Baltimore, the largest flying boat in service in the U.S. (5) Los Angeles - Hughes Aircraft in Culver City building the plywood H4 flying boat, with wing 320 feet long (6) Big Three Open Parley Near Berlin - USS Augusta carries Truman to Antwerp, then to Brussels and flight to Germany, reviews 2nd Armored Division, Truman pictured with Stalin and Churchill, meet in former palace of Kaiser Wilhelm, Truman speaks, flag raised. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-418 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/08/16 - Reconversion Outlook (1) John Snyder speaks (2) Postwar Life In Berlin (3) Dawn of the Atomic Age - Trinity explosion in New Mexico. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-425 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/08/20 - Radar Secrets Revealed (1) "miracle of radar revealed" - ground detectors and direction finders - animation - enemy spotted on oscilloscope - radar antenna on plane can find shoreline or entire convoy - directional equipment on ground can spot enemy and friendly planes - helps plane land safely; (2) Governors Meet Truman - Truman poses with state governors; (3) Day of Days For Orphans - 60 buses bring 3000 orphans in NY to Long Beach; (4) Model Planes Fly 85 MPH - Chicago model plane meet; (5) Gone To The Bow-Wows - Danbury CT annual dog show. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-426 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/08/23 - Japanese Surrender (1) First Pictures of Japanese Surrender, delegates carried by Japanes planes to and then on to Manila; MacArthur ; Halsey on USS Missouri with special cake decorated with Japanese rising sun; (2) Armed Jap Mercy Ship Captured; (3) De Gaulle Arrives - Byrnes meets De Gaulle, meets Truman at White House; (4) U.S. Turns From War To Peace - sailors are first groups to be released in Long Beach on point system; workers leave war plants, line up in cities for new jobs, washing machines and cars soon to start rolling; (5) Pin-Up Derby - baby crawling race over 50-foot course. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-427 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/08/27 - (no title) (1) aerial view of large fleet at Ulithi. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-428 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/10/15 - Postwar Flattop Launched (1) USS Oriskany launched, an Essex-class carrier, named after Revolutionary war battle; (2) Secret Maps Guided U.S. Bombers - contour maps 80 ft. by 60 ft. made in California (3) President Decorates War Heroes - Truman gives 15 medals, to men including Corps. Kraft and Dawes (4) First Freight Glider - for lobsters, kept cold by high altitude. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-442 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/10/22 - Nazi War Criminal Sentenced (1) Dachau trial of Strasser; (2) Belgians Riot Over Politics (3) De Gaulle Visits Belgium - drives through Brussels with Prince Regent to royal palace. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-444 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/10/25 - Truman Asks One Year's Army Service (1) Truman speaks to Congress (silent except Truman's speech) (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-445 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/11/01 - Pres. Truman Urges Wage Adjustment (1) (silent except Truman's speech) (2) America Goes Back To Peace (3) Yamashita Tried For War Crimes (4) Support Your Victory Loan. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-447 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/11/08 - Management Labor Seek Agreement (1) AFL's William Green speaks at Washington DC conference, Eric Johnston speaks (2) Berlin Faces Hard Winter (3) World's Biggest Cannon (4) Victory Loan Steams Full Speed Ahead. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-449 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/11/13 - Newsreel intro with music - Attlee Here For Parley (1) meeting in Washington DC with Jimmy Byrnes, greeted at White House by Truman, at Arlington Cemetery for Armistice Day, Attlee and Canadian PM King put wreaths on Tomb of Unkonwn Soldier (2) President's New Yacht - USS Williamsburg refitted, built in 1941 as private yacht, then served as gunboat; (3) 3-Wheeled Car Tested (4) Jet Aircraft Sets Record - Britain's Meteor timed over 70-mile course at 400+ mph. Newsreel end with music. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-450 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/11/29 - Nuremberg War Crimes Trials Open (1) "historic scene" of trials opening, Robert Jackson speaks, judge asks each defendant to plead either guilty or not guilty. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-455 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/12/03 - Senate Probes Atomics (1) Gen. Leslie Groves speaks to Senate committee (silent except Groves' speech) (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-456 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/12/06 - Nazis Face War Crime Evidence (1) Nuremberg trials continue, covered by cameras and press, chart shown of "entire Hitler dynasty" (2) German War Plant Razed - Gen. Truscott oversees blowing up of I.G. Farbin explosives factory. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-457 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/12/10 - Christmas Brings Joy To Everyone (1) Christmas trees from state of Washington, shoppers in cities, children look at dolls and hobby horses, puppets, model trains, Santa Claus; (2) Gen. "Ike" New Chief of Staff - Ike speaks (3) Gen. Stilwell Gives DSC to Hero's Sister - Matsuta was Japanese-American (4) Archbishop Speaks For War Relief - Spellman speaks for donation of canned goods, 15,000 Catholic parishes in the nation will act as receiving stations (5) Aviation in the News - Mixmaster nonstop flight by Douglas bomber, Boeing tandem prop fighter plane for Navy to go 450 mph. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-458 National Archives, College Park MD

This DVD57 includes 2 hours of Universal Newsreels reproduced from reference cassettes at the National Archives, College Park MD, and is available from the University of San Diego Bookstore.
revised 5/14/05 by Steven Schoenherr | Universal Newsreels on DVD | download Quicktime plugin