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Keep Your Mouth Shut

1944 2 min
Coming soon

This animated short from Norman McLaren features a human skull cautioning Canadians to “keep their mouths shut” in an effort to end gossiping during World War II. Warning: This film contains flashing images and stroboscopic sequences

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Keep Your Mouth Shut

Details

This animated short from Norman McLaren features a human skull cautioning Canadians to “keep their mouths shut” in an effort to end gossiping during World War II.

Warning: This film contains flashing images and stroboscopic sequences

War, Conflict and Peace - World War II Archival Films
All subjects
  • director
    Norman McLaren
  • producer
    Norman McLaren
  • animation
    George Dunning

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Education

Ages 16 to 17

Civics/Citizenship - Citizen Responsibilities
History - World War II

Introduce the idea of dangerous conversations (i.e. gossiping), that was believed to undermine the Canadian war effort. Discuss the wartime adage, “loose lips sink ships.” Was this gross exaggeration and overreaction on the government’s part? Could enemy spies have been so prevalent that common citizens might have leaked delicate strategic information?
Keep Your Mouth Shut
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