Produced during WWII for the U.S. Army-Navy Screen Magazine, this historic film consists of two segments — “By Request” and “Strictly G.I.” The “By Request” segment was a popular feature, in which an attractive woman answered letters sent by overseas G.I.s who missed their homes and lifestyle. The second “Strictly G.I.” is a filmed version of an Army radio program featuring Lucille Ball and bandleader Kay Kyser.
“By Request.” Opening: A member of the Women’s Army Corps (or WAC) speaks to viewers about a request to show images of Brooklyn to homesick G.I.s. So — here are images of the Brooklyn Bridge as seen from lower Manhattan in NYC. Downtown district – Fulton Street, Henry Street, 4th Avenue. Some sailors on leave are shown with Brooklyn girls, who wave at the camera. Park Circle. Cars drive through Prospect Park. Lookout Mountain, boys go sledding. St. Theresa in Brooklyn (:06-1:51). Shore Road, a cab drives through snowy sludge. Shot of the bay. Eastern Parkway, trees and cars. Baseball game, Ebbets Field in Brooklyn where the Brooklyn Dodgers play. A game in progress, pitchers pitch, batters hit, runners run and score (1:52-3:02). Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch.
Next, singer Lina Romay is introduced, and she sings a song in Spanish. Lina Romay was a Mexican-American actress and singer. She was born in 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Porfirio Romay. Lina sings a full song (3:03-5:36). The WAC wraps up (5:37-5:49).
Opening title: “Strictly G.I.” Photographic Report of an Armed Forces Radio Service Program on CBS – “G.I. Journal” (5:51-6:05). The announcer introduces Kay Kyser, an American bandleader and radio personality of the 1930s and 1940s. He does a comedy sketch with Jerry Colonna and then Ish Kabibble. (6:06-7:52). Linda Darnell comes out and talks alongside Kay Kyser. Lucille Ball is introduced. Another comedy sketch with Kay Kyser and Jerry Colonna (7:53-9:28). ‘Private Sadsack’ — the voice of Bugs Bunny himself Mel Blanc — does a wonderful sketch with Kyser. Lucille Ball comes back over for a final gag (9:29-11:10). Pin-up girl Georgia Carroll talks with Kyser. She then sings a song. Kyser wraps things up and the band plays (11:11-13:44). End credits (13:45-13:52).
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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
