All Films

V for Victory

1941 • 2 min • Canada

This animated short by Norman McLaren is a publicity message for a war bond campaign. Symbols, a stick man and lettering are drawn directly on 35mm film stock and synchronized with a brass band rendition of Sousa's march "The Thunderer."

Rhythm in the Ranks

1941 • 10 min • United States of America

A toy soldier, distracted by a beautiful ice skater, is derelict in his duty and gets discharged. Later, when the screwball army declares war, he lucks into a chance to redeem himself. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with UCLA Film & Television Archive in 2009.

The Goose Goes South

1941 • 7 min • United States of America

A small goose decides he is going to walk south instead of flying, hitchhiking as he goes but he runs into trouble as he makes his way along the road.

The English Disease

1941 • 13 min • Germany

Made during World War II by the German Ministry of Health in collaboration with UFA (Germany’s largest movie studio), The English Disease combines Nazi propaganda with a discussion of the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of rickets in infants and young children.

Ana Lani

1941 • 3 min

Ray Kinney and His Orchestra performing Ana Lani.

St. Louis Blues

1941 • 3 min

Alvino Rey and the King Sisters perform the W.C. Handy classic.

The Brook of Ripa Sottile

1941 • 10 min • Italy

Upstream river Ripasottile a shoal of perch fish have born. The news spreads around all animals who live around the river, until also the trouts hear about it, and swim upriver to go eat the newborn fish. So all animals around the river and from the wood organize a desperate expedition to fight the trouts back. At the end the birds manage to wake a fisherman up, just in time to have him catch all the trouts with a single haul.

My Lost Horizon

1941 • 3 min • United States of America

Les Brown and His Orchestra perform "My Lost Horizon" with Doris Day

The Children See It Through

1941 • 8 min • United Kingdom

The children of the London Blitz, some evacuated, others still in the city, are the focus of this film. A fund- and awareness-raiser aimed at US viewers, it was sponsored by the American branch of Save the Children and produced by key documentary production company Paul Rotha Productions.

Glimpses of Kentucky

1941 • 9 min • United States of America

This Traveltalk series short visit to Kentucky starts with a view of the Cumberland River, which flows for about 700 miles through the state. The first stop is Old Fort Harrod State Park, which has a replica of the original fort, the first permanent white settlement in the state. We then visit the grave sites of two of Kentucky's favorite sons, Henry Clay in Lexington and Daniel Boone in Frankfort. At My Old Kentucky Home State Park, we see the mansion and grounds that inspired composer Stephen Foster to write the song most associated with the state. We then visit three horse farms in the area of Lexington, the state's horse racing capital: Spindletop Farm; Faraway Farm, where we are introduced to Man o' War, the greatest racehorse of the 20th century; and Elmendorf Farm, where Man o' War's sire and dam, Fair Play and Mahuba, are buried.

The Vultures

1941 • 2 min • Soviet Union

Wartime Soviet propaganda cartoon. The short shows the fascist threat, symbolised by vultures, and glorifies Soviet defence, represented here by the airforce.

Sheherezade

1941 • 3 min

Dave Schooler and His 21 Swinghearts playing "Sheherezade".

Women at War

1941 • 10 min • United Kingdom

Documentary shows the variety of tasks assumed by British women since the outbreak of war, and thanks America for sending relief bundles to the victims of the London Blitz. Made for an American audience, the film is edited, narrated and written by three women, with no director credited.

Le Secours d'Hiver

1941 • 11 min

Presentation of the activities of Secours d'Hiver (Winter Aid) in Belgium. Winter Aid was the national-socialist organisation that took over all social assistance works, as they were exercised by government and church, in the occupied territories during World War Two.

Half Shot at Sunrise

1941 • 17 min • United States of America

After his wife walks out on him, obnoxious Roscoe takes his son to the movies and creates havoc in the theater.

Dipsy Gypsy

1941 • 9 min • United States of America

A Puppetoon by George Pal.

Il dottor Churkill

1941 • 7 min

A cartoon portraying Churchill as a Jekyll and Hyde figure. In the vaults of the spooky Bank of England Churchill mixes solutions of democracy, fraternity and liberty to produce a concoction which turns him from the demon Hyde figure to his human Jekyll form. Thus disguised he visits his subjects pretending to be friendly but really only to seize their gold. Eventually he is chased by Nazis who bomb London and destroy him.

The Field Mouse

1941 • 9 min • United States of America

A lazy young field mouse and his feisty grandfather fight for survival when advancing farm machinery destroys their home and sends their family scattering.

Ain't Misbehavin'

1941 • 3 min

Fats Waller performs his best song and mugs for the camera with many a sly, risqué comment in this 1941 Soundie. A rare and impeccable record of one of the greatest showmen of jazz.

The Wacky Worm

1941 • 7 min • United States of America

A worm is pursued by a crow.

Le pont de Mauves

1941 • 2 min • France

One Round Jones

1941 • 20 min • United States of America

A nightclub owner comes up with the idea to offer $50 to anyone who can go "one round" with his mystery fighter.

The Bug Parade

1941 • 6 min • United States of America

A spot gag cartoon presenting amusing facts about bugs.

Skinnay Ennis and His Orchestra

1941 • 9 min • United States of America

Skinnay Ennis leads his orchestra as they play "Three Little Words," "Let's Do It," and "Birth of the Blues". He also sings his composition "A Boy, A Girl and the Lamplight."