This documentary was nominated for an Academy Award for Documentary in a very crowded field, losing to four winners. There will be mild spoilers ahead:
While this is officially supposed to be a look at the making of a cargo ship (referred to here as a "victory ship", but what most people would better recognize referenced as a "Liberty ship") it is nothing more than another cheer-leading short to tell the people on the home front that their contributions to the war effort were absolutely vital.
There's a speech by one of the shipyard workers (most likely an actor) who talks about the different places various component parts are manufactured and then shipped to the yard, the inference being that men and women from all over the US have a hand in making each ship, not just the shipyard workers.
There's a bit of narration about mom and dad and sis all contributing scrap metal, rubber and so on, all of which was necessary in order for the ship seen here, the "Fred Morris", can be launched. We then go to a scene where we see the start of the training program for the Merchant Marines and the diverse backgrounds of the men being trained. This short is now essentially a boost and a recruiting tool for the Merchant Marines. This covers the training and the various specialties needed.
Once again, the drumbeat of, "Everyone is in this and must be for us to win", making it clear that the Merchant Marines, like every other branch of service, is comprised of regular, ordinary folks-like you, or your son.
This short is worth seeing once.
While this is officially supposed to be a look at the making of a cargo ship (referred to here as a "victory ship", but what most people would better recognize referenced as a "Liberty ship") it is nothing more than another cheer-leading short to tell the people on the home front that their contributions to the war effort were absolutely vital.
There's a speech by one of the shipyard workers (most likely an actor) who talks about the different places various component parts are manufactured and then shipped to the yard, the inference being that men and women from all over the US have a hand in making each ship, not just the shipyard workers.
There's a bit of narration about mom and dad and sis all contributing scrap metal, rubber and so on, all of which was necessary in order for the ship seen here, the "Fred Morris", can be launched. We then go to a scene where we see the start of the training program for the Merchant Marines and the diverse backgrounds of the men being trained. This short is now essentially a boost and a recruiting tool for the Merchant Marines. This covers the training and the various specialties needed.
Once again, the drumbeat of, "Everyone is in this and must be for us to win", making it clear that the Merchant Marines, like every other branch of service, is comprised of regular, ordinary folks-like you, or your son.
This short is worth seeing once.