Big News of 1940 (Universal Newsreel, Dec 1940)

Description

The original release sheet reads: 1. BIG NEWS OF 1940 / Universal Newsreel presents the outstanding pictures of a year of war abroad and defense preparations at home. / THE WORLD IN FLAMES / Europe's Second World War swings into high gear! The Nazi juggernaut rolls through Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France! Only the resistance of England stands in its path! NORWAY falls beneath the Nazi war machine and British troops withdraw despite a naval victory at Narvik. 2. HOLLAND AND BELGIUM are next on the Nazi time-table. A new war technique! The Blitzkrieg! Parachute troops, tanks and dive bombers! 3. DUNKERQUE signals the end of British hopes in Flanders, but writes a dramatic story of British heroism under fire. 4. FRANCE is crushed in a collapse that shocks the world. Italy enters the war as the French sue for peace. 5. BATTLE OF BRITAIN: Ships sinking, RAF shooting down German bombers, bombed out neighborhoods, the King and Queen inspect damage, Churchill examines wreckage, people and rubble. 6. HELP FOR ENGLAND: Growing U.S. aid to Britain is high-lighted by release of 50 over-age destroyers, in trade for bases. Warplanes are sent in increasing numbers each month. 7. GREECE: is invaded by Il Duce's forces but the Greeks turn it into a boomerang! In Egypt, Italian troops occupy Sidi Barrani, but the British stage a surprise attack and rout them. 8. DEFENSE AT HOME: President Roosevelt signs first peace-time draft, calling out man-power to boost armed forces eventually to two million men. Five-billion-dollar re-armament program is begun, to provide planes, tanks, guns and ships for U.S. defense. 9. THE THIRD TERM: America forgets the war temporarily and re-elects the President to serve an unprecedented third term. Wendell Willkie's campaign fight will long be remembered. 10. TACOMA BRIDGE COLLAPSE: The most amazing "spot-news" pictures ever filmed! A dramatic finale for a year of blood-shed and terror!

Collection

MCA/Universal Pictures Collection

Series

Motion Picture Releases of the Universal Newsreel Library