All Films

Men of Africa

1940 • 28 min • United Kingdom

A 1940 black and white film, production sponsored by the Colonial Empire Marketing Board. 'The East African colonies are introduced as representative examples of the Colonial Empire. A tribal dance hints at the "life of fear and uncertainty" replaced by British rule, a village's "squalor" the need for continued war on "ignorance, poverty and disease." "Much can be achieved by money and the initiative of the White Man:" film hints at hydro-electric schemes, modern harbours (Mombasa), roads, bridges etc and illustrates in more detail hospital expansion; tsetse fly research and control; relieving malnutrition; agricultural improvement; education (primary school; Makerere College)." - Abridged version of synopsis on colonialfilm.org

Riders of Black Mountain

1940 • 57 min • United States of America

Marshal Tim Donovan has been sent to investigate a series of holdups. Posing as a card sharp he soon believes he knows who is tipping off the outlaws. So he sets up a fake shipment knowing that if the stage is robbed the contact person will be identiifed. But the day the stage is due the Sheriff arrests the gang Tim was expecting to do the robbery.

You, the People

1940 • 21 min • United States of America

This MGM Crime Does Not Pay series short features a big city crime boss's attempt to use his crime "machine" to fraudulently win reelection for the current corrupt mayor. By using several illegal tactics, and aided by voter apathy, the crime boss nearly continues his control of the city.

Stealin Aint Honest

1940 • 7 min • United States of America

Olive has a map that shows the location of her secret gold mine, but while she's showing it to Popeye, claim jumper Bluto photographs it and gets there first.

His Bridal Fright

1940 • 20 min • United States of America

Charley writes to girls all over the world in order to get foreign postage stamps for his collection--but winds up with a passel of girls who think he's their fiance.

Sauce for the Gander

1940 • 58 min • United States of America

Working stiff Tom Tupper is stopped by a 'man on the spot' reporter during his daily commute. Asked for his opinion on male/female relations, Tom tells the radio audience that he thinks men could do a better job running the household than women. When he arrives home, his infuriated wife Margaret proposes that her husband put his money where his mouth is. The couple switch roles, with Margaret going to the office and Tom cooking and cleaning. While Margaret becomes a successful entrepreneur, the man of the house comes dangerously close to having a nervous breakdown. Overwhelmed by a woman's work, Tom begs Margaret to go back to the way things were, but his now-independent wife isn't interested.

Four New Apple Dishes

1940 • 11 min • Canada

A film showing how apples may be made an attractive part of the menu for many different occasions. Four recipes--apple salad, apple upside-down cake, glazed apples and apple ice cream--are given in detail, and a section is devoted to the choice of apples for different purposes.

Me Feelins is Hurt

1940 • 6 min • United States of America

Olive sends a farewell letter to Popeye: She's over sailors; it's cowboys for her; she's gone out west, to Bar None Ranch. Popeye immediately travels there to find her - and discovers Bluto runs the place.

Herrings

1940 • 7 min • United Kingdom

This informative herring aid from WWII makes no bones about the need to make the most of every fish.

Home on the Range

1940 • 8 min • United States of America

A cow and her calf are bedding down for the night. The calf is frightened by a shadow, until it's revealed to be a jackrabbit. He follows the rabbit deep into the woods. Neither of them notices the wolf following.

Galya

1940 • 38 min • Soviet Union

During the "Winter War" between Finland and the USSR, Galya's father goes to the front and she's left behind to take care of grandma and the house. Despite toeing the party line, the film was still banned by censors for being insufficiently patriotic.

Rockin' Thru the Rockies

1940 • 17 min • United States of America

The stooges are frontier guides leading a minstrel show west. When hostile Indians run the horses run off they are stranded. They must contend with a snow storm and a marauding bear as well the Indians. After almost killing each other ice fishing they solve their problems by rigging up a sail on the wagon and sailing west.

The Taming of the Snood

1940 • 20 min • United States of America

A jewel thief uses Buster as an unsuspecting dupe.

Father Is A Prince

1940 • 58 min • United States of America

Carpet-sweeper manufacturer John Bower has no patience with inefficiency, lawyers, or vacuum cleaners. He's a bit of a skinflint, too. His family thinks he works too hard. He feels inferior for not having gone to college, so now he doesn't want his children going, either. His daughter Connie is afraid to break the news of her engagement to Gary Lee, especially since not only is Gary a lawyer and a college grad, but his father owns a vacuum-cleaner company, too.

Covered Wagon Days

1940 • 56 min • United States of America

Stony Brooke, Rusty Joslin and Rico, the Three Mesquiteers, are returning from Mexico and are stopped at the border by Army officials, who are attempting to apprehend smugglers who are buying cheap silver in Mexico and smuggling it into the States, where they can take advantage of a silver stabilizing measure and sell it at a high price.

Tom Thumb in Trouble

1940 • 8 min • United States of America

Tom's father mistakenly believes that the little bird who's just rescued his tiny son from drowning in the dishwater is attacking the boy and drives it away. Tom sets off to find the bird and gets lost in a fierce snowstorm.

That Inferior Feeling

1940 • 9 min • United States of America

Joe Doakes, like most men, is unable to cope with personal emergencies or those in a position of authority (real or imagined).

Frances Carroll & 'The Coquettes'

1940 • 10 min • United States of America

Bandleader Frances Carroll leads The Coquettes, an all-female band, in several swing tunes.

Cavalcade of San Francisco

1940 • 9 min • United States of America

This Traveltalk series short celebrates San Francisco, past and present.

Granny Get Your Gun

1940 • 56 min • United States of America

An elderly woman turns sheriff to clear her granddaughter of murder charges.

South of the Boudoir

1940 • 19 min • United States of America

Charley, over his wife's objections, has invited his boss over for dinner. Mrs. Chase walks out, and Charley hires a waitress to pose as his wife. Meanwhile, the boss picks up Mrs. Chase and brings her as his dinner guest.

Old New Orleans

1940 • 9 min • United States of America

This Traveltalk series short looks at several landmarks and neighborhoods in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sights include the Cathedral of St. Louis, Pirate's Alley, the Old French Market, and Broussard's Restaurant.

Money Squawks

1940 • 18 min • United States of America

Andy Clyde and Shemp Howard are station agents for the railroad. Their job is to defend against robberies but neither seems capable of doing anything but trouble. Through the course of the story, they shoot at some innocent hunters, are terrorized by a duck AND end up GIVING the money to the crooks by mistake. Can Andy and Shemp somehow redeem themselves?

One Man's Law

1940 • 57 min • United States of America

In this old-time Western from director George Sherman, peaceable cowpoke Jack Summers takes the job of sheriff to help his adopted town in its bid to beat out a nearby settlement for a lucrative railroad contract. Trailcross is trying to get the new railroad and Stevens wants it to go to Mason City. Jack and sidekick Nevady arrive and when Jack faces down Stevens' men, he is made Marshal. The townspeople raise money for the railroad and entrust it to Jack. But Stevens plants two of his henchmen as Jack's escorts and they rob him. With the Railroad Officials due to arrive, Jack must retrieve the money.