The Negro Soldier, 1944

The Negro Soldier, 1944 (Digitally restored)

ARC Identifier 35956 / Local Identifier 111-OF-51
Moving Images from the Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Chief Signal Officer. (09/18/1947 - 02/28/1964)
National Archives - Washington, DC - Motion Pictures, College Park, MD
Item from Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 -1985

Creator: Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Chief Signal Officer. (09/18/1947 - 02/28/1964)
Production Date: 1944

Scope & Content: This War Department enlistment film aims to recruit African Americans in its World War II engagement. The documentary has as its framework a black minister's explanation to his congregation of the reasons they should join the armed forces to fight the Nazis. The viewer sees historical re-enactments of African Americans as valued participants in U.S. armed conflicts dating from the American Revolution. Scenes also detail Black accomplishments in the country's history, with footage of Blacks as they served as judges and school teachers, conducted orchestras, played football, and served the U.S. Army in World Ward II. Footage is included of Jesse Owens and other Blacks as they competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "The Negro Soldier" was produced by Frank Capra and directed by Stuart Heisler, with music by Dimitri Tiomkin.

Contact: National Archives - Washington, DC - Motion Pictures (RD-DC-M), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001. Phone: 301-837-3540; Fax: 301-837-3620; Email: [email protected]