This is a rather slickly made propaganda piece encouraging the viewers to vote for FDR and for union-supported government programs. However, instead of directly stating these at the beginning, a story about a railroad worker not falling asleep at the switch was employed.
This is a rather effective propaganda piece, though the basic message seems rather dishonest. This union-financed film could have easily said that the public should support the President in his re-election bid for a wide variety of good reasons. At the time, Roosevelt had done an excellent job in leading America at war, so an honest cartoon COULD have been made. Had I been alive and able to vote back then, I might have cast my ballot for him instead of the Dewey and the Republicans. Instead, the message seems to be that if you DON'T vote for Roosevelt you are a traitor, are a friend to evil self-interests OR that you just plain love Hitler!! Talk about a dishonest message and hyperbole. Had Dewey won (and he didn't have a prayer), I truly doubt the country would have joined the Axis or capitulated--especially since by late 1944 the war was all but over and the next year would be mostly "mopping up" actions.
Technically speaking, this was a rather competently made cartoon. While not up to the standards of the Warner Brothers, Disney or MGM cartoons of the day, it is better than Universal's animation. Viewers will no doubt notice the intensity of the colors--it's hard on the eyes, but still well-made. Not a great quality cartoon, but effective and sufficient.
So who would want to watch this today? Well, apart from history teachers like myself, most wouldn't--though it is a nice window into the spirit of the times. Worth a look--just understand that this is truly negative propaganda.
This is a rather effective propaganda piece, though the basic message seems rather dishonest. This union-financed film could have easily said that the public should support the President in his re-election bid for a wide variety of good reasons. At the time, Roosevelt had done an excellent job in leading America at war, so an honest cartoon COULD have been made. Had I been alive and able to vote back then, I might have cast my ballot for him instead of the Dewey and the Republicans. Instead, the message seems to be that if you DON'T vote for Roosevelt you are a traitor, are a friend to evil self-interests OR that you just plain love Hitler!! Talk about a dishonest message and hyperbole. Had Dewey won (and he didn't have a prayer), I truly doubt the country would have joined the Axis or capitulated--especially since by late 1944 the war was all but over and the next year would be mostly "mopping up" actions.
Technically speaking, this was a rather competently made cartoon. While not up to the standards of the Warner Brothers, Disney or MGM cartoons of the day, it is better than Universal's animation. Viewers will no doubt notice the intensity of the colors--it's hard on the eyes, but still well-made. Not a great quality cartoon, but effective and sufficient.
So who would want to watch this today? Well, apart from history teachers like myself, most wouldn't--though it is a nice window into the spirit of the times. Worth a look--just understand that this is truly negative propaganda.