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World War II (10)
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Back to WorkVincent Paquette 1945 12 minThis is an account of how ex-servicemen and women are equipped for civilian jobs. The film opens with scenes of an army rehabilitation officer conducting a final interview with a dischargee, and a placement officer assisting the veteran to secure suitable employment. Using two typical cases, the film shows the training of one man in electrical maintenance and the other in typewriter repair work. Training courses in machine work, tool making, brick laying, woodwork, garage work, hairdressing, beauty culture, and secretarial work are illustrated.
Please note that this is an archival film whose original narration by Terence O’Dell and original score by Maurice Blackburn have unfortunately been lost. It’s being presented here without sound for its historical value. -
Back to Jobs1945 9 minThis short documentary depicts the return of Canadian WWII veterans to civilian life, including those who, because of war injuries or lack of training, require special treatment or courses before taking on jobs. Throughout the program, emphasis is laid on individual adjustment to normal peacetime life and work. Part of the Canada Carries On series.
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Curtailment of Civilian Industries1943 1 minDuring World War II, the production of non-essential goods was kept at a minimum so that war industries could reach a maximum output. Spending power increased, but since employable men were needed by the armed forces, more workers had to be found for war industry. Although men, women and children worked, there were not enough employees to fulfill manufacturing needs; the production of goods for civilian use had to be cut to the bone.
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Canadian Screen Magazine No. 11945 10 minVocational Training for Repats: Vocational training for Canadian veterans includes courses in the building trades, haircutting, mechanics and electronics, as well as home economics and hairdressing. Canadian Soap for UNRRA: Soap is manufactured in Canada for distribution throughout Europe by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. Railway Cars for Russia: Railway cars are produced in Canada and shipped to the Soviet Union to help rebuild the Russian transportation system.
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Coal Face, CanadaRobert Edmonds 1943 20 minA young man, discharged from the army, returns to his coal town. As he wanders the streets, he sees that life remains much as he left it. He takes a room with a miner who had known his father and who recalls the tragedy of his death in the mines. When the young dischargee attends a union meeting he hears the labourers speak of their relation to the war effort and, realizing the importance of coal to victory, he joins a night shift and goes to work in the mine.
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Democracy at WorkStanley Hawes & Fred Lasse 1944 18 minThis short documentary was made near the end of World War II to introduce the subject of the need for labour-management committees. Government and industry in Canada were looking to a post-war era where production would have to be converted to peacetime. The objective was to improve productivity by reducing absenteeism, workplace accidents and keeping morale high.
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Empty Rooms Mean Idle Machines1942 2 minThis animated short produced during WWII shows how Plugger helped the war effort by renting out his spare room so that a new worker could be brought in to work an idle machine at the munitions plant.
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How They Saw Us: Women at WarAnn Pearson 1977 10 minThis 1942 British film, Women at War, contrasts sharply with similar Canadian productions. It accepts women's direct participation in the war effort as a natural outgrowth of their peacetime occupations.
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Imperfect Union: Canadian Labour and the Left - Part 3 - Falling Apart and Getting TogetherArthur Hammond 1989 53 minWorld War II turns Canada into an industrial power, and creates a mass trade-union movement. Mackenzie King responds with unemployment insurance and full legal status for unions. In 1944, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation comes to power in Saskatchewan, under Tommy Douglas, the first socialist government in North America. With the formation of the Canadian Labour Congress in 1956, CCF and CLC energies are directed toward the formation of the New Democratic Party in 1961. Part 3 of the series.
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Partners in Production1944 36 minThe opening scenes of this film recall the grim days of Dunkirk. We see Britain in that time of crisis girding herself for the siege with the organization of Civil Defence and ARP, and the formation of the Home Guard. On the industrial side, the film shows readjustments made to increase production, such as the absorption of women into war factories and the setting up of labour-management committees. In describing how these committees functioned in the coal industry, the film demonstrates the importance of total democracy in waging total war.
