Invasion of South France (Universal Newsreel, Aug 1944)

Description

The original release sheet reads: 1. INVASION OF SOUTH FRANCE / FIRST ACTUAL PICTURES: Somewhere in Italy, we watch the huge Allied invasion expedition take shape. Tons of equipment are loaded into endless lines of vessels. With barrage balloons floating above, the tremendous armada sets sail for destination, with Admiral Hewett, General Patch and Navy Secretary Forrestal poring over plans.—Fleets of air transport planes roar into view, high overhead. We follow them and chance upon one of the most compelling scenes of the war--the air is totally filled with descending chutists. Back at sea, giant navy guns open their bombardment. The enemy replies. Soldiers pour into landing craft and we see some of the battle action on shore. Grenade rifles help clear the way, snipers finish the task. Tank stops are blasted out by tank guns. Enemy dead and prisoners begin to mount. Towns are entered and the demonstrative natives rush out to greet their liberators.— APPROACHING PARIS: Allied bombers and rocket-firing Typhoons destroy enemy communications, while escort planes destroy the few traces of air opposition. Wrecked enemy equipment litters the ground, including dummy wooden artillery. French villages are speedily entered and passed, by a huge stream of tanks, racing forward to yet greater victories. 2. TRIPLE CHRISTENING: PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD - In an unprecedented ceremony, Major and Mrs. Kelly of Chicago give their city's name to a giant cruiser; Mayor and Mrs. Bowron name another giant cruiser after their home city, Los Angeles. Then Maryland's Senator Tydings watches his wife christen a 27,000 ton aircraft carrier, Antietam, commemorating the civil war battle. Both cruisers had been paid for in war bonds by citizens of Chicago and Los Angeles. 3. FANCY DIVING: LOS ANGELES, CA - At the Olympic Swimming Stadium Lou Ann McCoskey executes a perfect swan dive, Virginia Hunt descends in one of her specialties, and Sammy Lee flips over 3 and ½ times (count them). Envious Stubby Kruger attempts to out-do the champs, but he does the banana peel. (LOCAL – CANADA) COMMANDOS OF RAGWEED. (LOCAL – CANADA) EX-MONTREAL MAYOR FREED.

Collection

MCA/Universal Pictures Collection

Series

Motion Picture Releases of the Universal Newsreel Library