Motion Picture Industry Red Cross War Fund Week Trailer (1945)

Motion Picture Industry Red Cross War Fund Week Trailer Poster

Discovered in the Rose Theatre of Port Townsend, Washington, during renovation in the late 1990s, this short promotional film features actress Ingrid Bergman in a nurse’s uniform making a plea to theater patrons to support Red Cross initiatives during World War II. Using staged scenes of American soldiers in a Japanese POW camp, the film provides a firsthand look at how important the Red Cross packages are to fighting men.

Summary
"Motion Picture Industry Red Cross War Fund Week Trailer" is a 1945 black-and-white documentary-style clip that shows the American movie market's effort to support the War Fund Week of the American Red Cross throughout World War II. The trailer is a fascinating celebration of the American film market's contribution to the war effort, showing the market's connection to the daily lives of Americans and the wider war effort.

Star-studded Cast and Crew
The one-minute-long trailer features a star-studded cast and team, with notable characters like Irene Dunne, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Charles Boyer, Frank Borzage, and Charles Brackett, among others. Not just does the cast include glamour, however they also provide impassioned speeches urging the public to donate to the Red Cross.

Critical Messages
The movie trailer is structured around a number of critical messages to stimulate a sense of duty and seriousness towards the war effort. It begins with Irene Dunne providing compelling arguments for the significance of Red Cross's mission in a battlefield situation. Sir Cedric Hardwicke continues the narrative by showing the value of the Red Cross to hurt soldiers on the front lines.

The trailer then cuts to Charles Boyer, who emphasizes the company's function in offering convenience and relief to the affected households. Boyer's passionate plea implores viewers to contribute to this important cause. Throughout the trailer, the belief is enhanced that every American should play a part in the war effort, and that even little contributions to Red Cross matter enormously.

The Urgency of War Fund Support
The film's urgency is palpable and directly interacts the intensity of World War II. Frank Borzage highlights every second is critical in the war, while Charles Brackett explains that the Red Cross is the "lifeline" of the soldiers-- for that reason, supporting it is not only the soldiers' immediate need but also the general public's duty.

Invite to Participate
Towards the end of the trailer, the viewer is invited to go to package office and purchase a "2nd admission" in the form of a contribution to the Red Cross. It supplies a simple, concrete method for audiences to support the war effort, connecting their love of film with active participation in the country's wartime requirement.

Conclusion
"Motion Picture Industry Red Cross War Fund Week Trailer" is a special historical artifact that showcases the film market's dedication to supporting the Red Cross and the war effort. Its direct, emotive appeal encourages audience members to contribute towards a cause that was essential at that vital juncture. In a sense, the trailer shows how the influence of the film market was capitalized to rally support for the war effort, showing the deep-rooted connection in between media, society, and essential nationwide events.

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