The United States Marine Band---6/10.
This is a one-reel film that showcases the musical talents of the men serving in the United States Marine Corps during the early part of World War II. The Marine Band performs the 'Song of the Marines' in front of various monuments, statues and picturesque settings across Washington D.C.
To keep the interest up during the rigid visual performance of the band, the filmmaker (Jean Negulesco) treats us to the rigid visuals of the enlisted men marching on a military base. Later on in the film (a minute or so) we get to see a U.S. Battleship dropping anchor into the ocean while soldiers practice a mock invasion of an isolated beach-front. The soldiers on the beach set up their machine guns and take aim at something not seen by the soldiers or the camera. Although what they're aiming at remains a mystery, what the director is aiming at is quite clear; United States patriotism, support of 'our boys' and 'fighting the good fight'.
Putting the film's staunch Patriotic flavor aside, the film is quite tedious. It becomes difficult to imagine that some 60 years later, although suffering from a different form of tedium, that these short musical films could be, in any way, related to the music video of today.
I suppose wartime films such as these served to a greater purpose other than that of entertainment for those still 'back at home'. They made us feel strong, united and eager not only for the war to end, but also for the feature to begin.
6/10. Clark Richards
This is a one-reel film that showcases the musical talents of the men serving in the United States Marine Corps during the early part of World War II. The Marine Band performs the 'Song of the Marines' in front of various monuments, statues and picturesque settings across Washington D.C.
To keep the interest up during the rigid visual performance of the band, the filmmaker (Jean Negulesco) treats us to the rigid visuals of the enlisted men marching on a military base. Later on in the film (a minute or so) we get to see a U.S. Battleship dropping anchor into the ocean while soldiers practice a mock invasion of an isolated beach-front. The soldiers on the beach set up their machine guns and take aim at something not seen by the soldiers or the camera. Although what they're aiming at remains a mystery, what the director is aiming at is quite clear; United States patriotism, support of 'our boys' and 'fighting the good fight'.
Putting the film's staunch Patriotic flavor aside, the film is quite tedious. It becomes difficult to imagine that some 60 years later, although suffering from a different form of tedium, that these short musical films could be, in any way, related to the music video of today.
I suppose wartime films such as these served to a greater purpose other than that of entertainment for those still 'back at home'. They made us feel strong, united and eager not only for the war to end, but also for the feature to begin.
6/10. Clark Richards
