Under Four Flags -- March 13, 2019

Moving Picture World, 08-March-1919

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced "Under Four Flags," "This Great Victory Picture of America and the Allies..."

U.S.A. Series -- February 13, 2019

Moving Picture World, 08-February-1919

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced the "U.S.A. Series," a series of two reelers.

"1 If your soldier's hit

"Shows how wounded soldiers are taken care of and nursed back to health.

"Released December 23, 1918

"2 Wings of Victory

"A first-hand story of America's planes and aviators in the war.

"Released January 6, 1919

"3. Horses of War

"How horses helped make victory possible. A bit of war history now told for the first time.

Released January 20, 1919

"4 Making the Nation Fit

"Putting the Army and Navy in first-class fighting trim — a film with a peacetime application.

Released February 3, 1919"

Moving Picture World, 08-February-1919

French Pictorial Service produced a one-reeler about French troops marching back into the Alsace-Lorraine, a province that has passed back and forth between Germany and France more than once.

Moving Picture World, 08-February-1919

The first major battle fought by the AEF (American Expeditionary Force), elements of the US Army and the US Marine Corps, was the Battle of Chateau-Thierry, fought on 18-July-1918.

Two Million American Soldiers are Still in Europe -- Jamuary 9, 2018

Moving Picture World, 11-January-1919

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced the "Official War Review," a series of weekly one-reelers about war subjects. 100 years ago this month, World War One had ended, but many American soldiers remained in Europe until 1919. "Two million American soldiers are still in Europe: The motion picture camera is recording their doings in occupied Germany."

Moving Picture World, 04-January-1919

The committee also produced a series of five two reelers, each "showing a single phase of the war."  I would like to see "Wings of Victory."

Moving Picture World, 11-January-1919

The committee produced a feature, Under Four Flags, which told the story of how four allied nations, Italy, the UK, France and the US fought the war.  The committee left out little Serbia and Russia, which had made a separate peace.

Moving Picture World, 11-January-1919

Moving Picture World, 25-January-1919

Moving Picture World, 25-January-1919

Who Said -- No More War Pictures! -- December 5, 2018

Moving Picture World, 07-December-1918

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced the "Official War Review," a series of weekly one-reelers about war subjects. 100 years ago, World War One had paused because of the Armistice on 11-November-1918, but the ad says "Official War Review ... will not be discontinued, but will be released weekly by Pathe for some time to come."

Moving Picture World, 14-December-1918

One of the conditions of the Armistice was that the German High Seas Fleet would be surrendered to the Allies and held until the final peace terms were agreed upon.  This became a popular theme for movies.

Moving Picture World, 21-December-1918

An interesting variety of scenes, including Italians with flamethrowers and Germans shelling a Red Cross hospital.

Moving Picture World, 21-December-1918

People often forget that Allied troops occupied Vladivostok, Russian during the Russian Civil War.

Motion Picture News, 21-December-1918

The Battle of Château-Thierry was the first large-scale action by the American Expeditionary Force, made up of Army and Marine Corps units.  "Who Said -- 'No More War Pictures!'"  There was a reaction coming against war films.

Moving Picture World, 21-December-1918

"ABSOLUTELY OFFICIAL and AUTHENTIC."


'

War is the Biggest Part of the Daily Life of Every One of Us -- November 3, 2018

Moving Picture World, 23-November-1918

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced the "Official War Review," a series of weekly one-reelers about war subjects. 100 years ago, World War One was rushing towards its conclusion. The Allies continued their 100 Days Offensive, which pushed the German army back towards the borders. This ad reminds people "War is the Biggest Part of the Daily Life of Every One of Us."

Moving Picture World, 30-November-1918

"Great in war, it will still be great in peace times."

Let Your Patrons See Me in Action -- October 5, 2018

Moving Picture World, 12-October-1918

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced the "Official War Review," a series of weekly one-reelers about war subjects. This one urges theater owners to "Come on, Now!  Let your patrons see me in action with brothers in arms -- The French, British and Italians, fighting your battles."

Moving Picture World, 05-October-1918

"The Most Widely Shown Picture That Has Ever Been Screened."

Moving Picture World, 26-October-1918

"No private concern, however rich, however powerful, could get such war pictures as these Government Pictures!"

Moving Picture World, 05-October-1918

The motion picture industry did much to support the Liberty Loans, which helped to pay for the war.  This ad has a list of people, including Charles Chaplin, who made one-reelers to support the Liberty Loan.

Moving Picture World, 12-October-1918

"The Huns are on the run!
Bulgaria has surrendered!
Nearly two million U.S. soldiers in France..."

Moving Picture World, 12-October-1918

The movie industry produced its own movies to support the war effort, like the newsreel "Universal Animated Weekly and Current Events."  "Huns captured at Chateau Thierry."

What Is He Doing Over There? -- September 11, 2018

Motion Picture World, 07-September-1918

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced the "Official War Review," a series of weekly one-reelers about war subjects.  This one tries to answer the question "What is he doing over there?"  I like the image of a soldier in a dugout.

Motion Picture World, 14-September-1918

Under a photo of a nasty-looking German, it says "Scenes of wanton destruction and murder are shown that would shame a tribe of head-hunters."

Motion Picture World, 21-September-1918

The series was "Booked solid over the UBO and the other big vaudeville circuits for 3000 days!"

Motion Picture World, 28-September-1918

Exhibitors reported a positive response.

Motion Picture World, 07-September-1918

Why America Will Win was a feature-length dramatic biography of General John J (Black Jack) Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF).

Motion Picture World, 21-September-1918

"A KNOCKOUT" proclaims an ad with a picture of Uncle Sam, who has just punched a German.

Why America Will Win -- August 7, 2018

Moving Picture World, 31-August-1918

The United States joined the First World War in April, 1917. Learning from the British, the United States put its propaganda efforts into the hands of one organization, the Committee on Public Information, also called the Creel Committee, after its chairman, George Creel. The Creel Committee produced a few features. America's Answer was "The Second United States Official War Picture."

Moving Picture World, 10-August-1918

The "Official War Review" was a series of weekly one-reelers created by the Creel Committee.

Moving Picture World, 17-August-1918

"The Great Drive Starts."

Moving Picture World, 24-August-1918

"Over There and Over Here."

Moving Picture World, 31-August-1918

"Seeing the War -- at Home."

Moving Picture World, 10-August-1918

Why America Will Win was a feature-length dramatic biography of General John J (Black Jack) Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF).

Moving Picture World, 17-August-1918

"The Picture of the Hour."

Moving Picture World, 24-August-1918

"Based on the Family Records of Gen. John J. Pershing."

Moving Picture World, 31-August-1918

"Trained Investigators spent month gathering intimate details of the career of General Pershing for the massive Willian Fox Production."

Moving Picture World, 31-August-1918

Meanwhile, back in Italy, the Italian armies were fighting the Austro-Hungarian and German armies.  The battlefields high in the Alps were terrible.

Moving Picture World, 31-August-1918

"The first films to show a whole battle."