Story of Our Flag, The

From Ephemeral Film Wiki
Moving Image:Story of Our Flag, The
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Story of Our Flag, The is a short film from 1939 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.

Some good stock shots to be logged.

Contents. Origin and development of the United States flag.

As views of a castle and an old crest are shown, the commentator explains that man through the ages has sought to distinguish his castle, his clan, or his country by means of a crest or a flag proclaiming his ideals.

Animation is used to show the uniting of the crosses of St. Andrew and of St. George into the Union Jack, and the commentator explains the latter's importance to the origin of colonial American flags. Other forerunners of the Stars and Stripes pictured in the film are the red ensign flag, the Taunton flag, the Bedford flag, the Moultrie flag, the Bunker Hill flag, the pine-tree flag, the rattlesnake flag, the Rhode Island flag, and the Grand Union or Cambridge flag.

Importance of the flag during the American Revolution is indicated. General Washington orders the Grand Union flown in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A facsimile is shown of the original resolution passed by the Continental Congress, June 14, 1777, adopting the flag of the United States. The commentator explains that the stars were originally arranged in a circle, symbolizing a union without end. The Stars and Stripes are carried in a battle of the Revolution and are displayed on the occa�sion of Cornwallis' surrender.

Vermont and Kentucky were added to the Union in 1791 and 1792; two stars and two stripes were added to the flag to represent the new states. A map indicates the expansion of the nation after the Louisiana Purchase. The addition of Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana is shown. The commentator describes an act passed by Congress providing that the number of stripes should be the original thirteen and that a star should be added for each state admitted. Scenes of railroad construction and Indian attacks on wagon caravans symbolize the period of westward expansion. The addition of Arizona and New Mexico in 1912 is shown on the map. As the commentator says that the parade of the Stars and Stripes is now complete, the map fades into the United States flag.

President Wilson is shown signing the act of May 30, 1916, which established June 14 of each year as Flag Day. A map shows all of the states, together with United States possessions. The film closes with views of battleships, aircraft carriers, airplanes, and the United States flag.

Appraisal. Reported good for (1) giving the historical background of the development of our flag and (2) developing an appreciation of the flag as a symbol of the nation.

This film should be particularly valuable for use in connection with Flag Day and other patriotic occasions. It contains much still photographic material, as might be expected from the nature of the subject. Color would have greatly improved the film. The commentary is interesting and informative.

Photography is fair, sound good.

Story of Our Flag, The
Produced byMcCrory (John R.) Studios
Production
company
McCrory (John R.) Studios
Distributed byMcCrory (John R.) Studios
Release date
1939
Running time
10:00
LanguageEnglish
Thumbnail
ewid: 1516 | Fresh | | step:2 || dopt: {{{dopt}}}