New York State War Council Citizen Assistance and Preparation Films

This series contains five black-and-white, 16mm films produced by the Department of Health singly or in conjunction with the New York State War Council. These films explain the programs of the Health Department or War Council which offered aid or advice to citizens.

With these films, these government bodies hoped to alleviate citizens' concerns about war time disruptions of their lives and to boost efficiency and productivity. A description of each film follows.

"What of Your Child?" (approximately 200 feet or 4 minutes) explains the program of the War Council's Committee on Child Care: who is eligible, what risks are avoided by enrolling a child in the program, what activities and age groups are involved. The film starts with Governor Thomas E. Dewey explaining that because of the great need for labor, women, including mothers, must work, and therefore child care has been set up to facilitate this. This film includes many shots of children at play.

"Quit Worrying!" (approximately 200 feet or 4 minutes) explains the New York State Children's Bureau and the obstetric services which can be obtained through the Bureau for the wives of military personnel. It explains who is eligible and details the benefits available. The beginning and end of the film feature flags, music, and people of various European backgrounds engaged in work and leisure activities.

"Fighters in White" (approximately 400 feet or 8 minutes) opens with shots of Hitler, Nazis, and swastika flags with a voice-over stating "How well they know what they fight against." This is followed by scenes of children playing and the voice-over states, "Well too they know the things they fight for!" The film then discusses air raid wardens and the War Council's Emergency Medical Service. It describes in detail the involvement of doctors, nurses, and the coordination of volunteers who will prevent casualties from bombings through the Emergency Medical Service, with the middle part of the film explaining the organization's hierarchy.

"Four Point Safety Home" (approximately 600 feet or 12 minutes) details accidents in the home and how they can be prevented, and discusses cost and frequency of specific types of accidents.

"Local Health Problems in War Industry Areas" (approximately 400 feet or 8 minutes) discusses health problems in Seneca County when a new ordnance depot brings a great number of temporary workers to the area, placing a strain on housing and water supplies. The Department of Health tested local wells for purity, trucked in pure water where needed, constructed new outhouses, arranged for temporary housing, and brought in nurses to tend to health care needs.

All films in this series have been digitized and are avaiable in State Archives Digital Collections.

This series was originally accessioned as box 463 of old collection #77, accession -71.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.