Dating to 1942 and then re-released in the post-WWII period, “American Anniversary” is a patriotic short film directed by Oscar winner Leslie Roush. The film was funded by the National Association of Manufacturers and produced by Paramount Pictures. The film shows 20 years in the life of an immigrant named Joe Karnak, who arrives in America uncertain of his place in society and future. Over the course of the film he becomes a substantial contributor to his community. According to a March, 1942 interview with Roush, he became interested in making ‘American Anniversary” because he saw in it “an opportunity for him to contribute to the morale of his country by vivid dramatization of the freedoms and opportunity that have made America great.” Karnak is played by veteran radio actor Neill O’Malley, who was most well known for Kraft Theatre (1947).
The film’s plot is simple: a newspaper editor plans to attend a special dinner in honor of Joe Karnak, a loyal employee at a small town tool company. The editor first met Karnak after he was arrested as a “suspicious character” for trying to eat a huge cake in the local city park. After a short trial in front of a judge, it is revealed that the cake was bought to celebrate Joe’s first year anniversary of arriving in America — his “American Anniversary”. Joe’s pursuit of the American dream after escaping the “old country” serves as a platform for the filmmaker to shine a light on freedom of the press and other American values, including the right to work, and the right to express oneself freely. At 7:00, Karnak learns he does not need government approval to make suggestions for improving the company’s output, and Joe’s suggestion results in the company receiving a vital patent. At 9:00, Joe learns he doesn’t need to have a work permit to work in the USA.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
