Created in 1941 by Castle Films, this silent newsreel was created in honor of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s record third inauguration. The newsreel begins with a recap of his political career from Asst. Secretary of the Navy to failed Vice Presidential candidate and finally Governor and President. At the 2 minute mark the story of the Great Depression is told visually, with protestors marching on Washington and huge unemployment lines. President Hoover rides with FDR to the first inauguration at the 2:40 mark, and Chief Justice Hughes administers the oath. The New Deal programs are seen next, starting with the banks being closed by the President, the launch of the National Recovery Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps and AAA, WPA, etc. Roosevelt’s second term is seen starting at about the 4:45 mark with his defeat of Landon. The 1940 election is seen at the 7 minute mark, with Wendell Willkie attempting unsuccessfully to unseat the President. Roosevelt is also seen visiting a munitions plant, traveling to South America and Canada, and working to guide the nation through the war clouds that seem to stretch horizon to horizon. The third inauguration, which constitutes the last 1/3rd of the film, is followed with a massive military parade theoretically attesting to the nation’s strength — but unfortunately for America it’s Army especially was ill prepared for the conflict that would unfold a mere ten months after this film was released.
The third inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt as the 32nd President of the United States was held on Monday, January 20, 1941 on the East Portico of the Capitol. The inauguration marked the commencement of the third four-year term of Franklin D. Roosevelt as President and the only four-year term of Henry A. Wallace as Vice President. It was the only time a President of the United States was inaugurated for a third term,[1] before the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which limits a President to two terms, was ratified.
At the conclusion of the oath, then-Supreme Court clerk Elmore Leonard, who held the Bible for President Franklin Roosevelt, dropped the book.
The Roosevelts hosted a reception for several thousand visitors at the White House later that day.
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
