The first episode of a two-part presentation by the Social Security Administration of the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, this educational film covers changes during the transitional period of Social Security programs and legislation during the mid-1960s. The public service film production begins with a colorful map of the United States at 0:07. The film emphasizes how Social Security serves Americans all across the country and is hosted by Roy L. Swift, the SSA’s Information Officer during Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration from 1963 to 1968. As the Commissioner of Social Security, Robert M. Ball, led the way toward a broader reach for the SSA, Swift was a key figure in preparing communications about Social Security benefits to the public in all forms of media during the period that President Johnson held office. Swift introduces two significant figures throughout the film to express the reach of disability insurance benefits, components of SSA programs, and to highlight the impact on each of these individuals. Central Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal mines are mentioned in terms of their transition from booming industry to dwindling economic relevance, with an overview of the tragic case of coal miner Marlon Enders and his severe, disabling injuries sustained while trapped in a mine for five hours. Out of commission for a year, Mr. Enders was able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits due to a recent change in the law no longer requiring disability to last indefinitely to gain such benefits (02:03-04:50). His father-in-law, Sparky Adams, a Major League Baseball veteran of the Cubs, Cards, and Pirates after WWI, is able to receive Social Security retirement checks each month along with Medicare (05:00-05:30). The daughter of the family, Bonnie Enders, is shown to benefit as well, now able to go after her dreams and go to college (06:30). Disability benefits and their importance to many Americans who endure accidents like that of Mr. Enders are underscored (07:40-08:22). At 08:54 the Grand Canyon is shown. The film continues with an overview of the Havasupai people, an American Indian tribe in the village of Supai near the canyon. At 10:10 the narrator highlights one of the tribe’s members, Dan Hanna, and his crippling arthritis plus blindness preventing him from working in the lumber industry to support his family. His prior work provided him with Social Security protection, however, which he can now use to receive a check each month for his family’s needs (10:12-13:00).
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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
