Narrated by Henry Fonda, THE REAL MISS AMERICA is a short documentary film produced in 1952 by the United States Department of Defense as a recruiting tool for women, urging them to join the armed services. Women’s training, social life, and living situations are depicted, as well as a wide variety of jobs in which women could serve in the various branches of the military. Secretary of Defense Robert A. Lovett speaks to the importance of women as part of the national defense, and General Matthew Ridgway praises women for their service in combat-support functions.
The film shows activities in Korea at the 2:00 mark, including the decoration of two female nurses operating in a Mobile Army Surgeon’s Hospital, as well as Navy WAVES at the 3:40 mark working in communications, as trainers, and as dental hygienists and nurses. Air traffic controllers and LINK trainer, and weather observers, are seen at the 4:30 mark. A unit band is seen at 4:45, and an intelligence department and code office, and telephone operators, are also seen. Recreation for our “daughters in uniform” is also seen including bowling and lawn tennis, as well as dancing, are also seen.
The film’s narration is fairly condescending and definitely a “period piece” in an era when women’s roles were limited by sexism.
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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
