Made in the immediate post-war era, “Shadows of Hate” revisits the anti-semitic fascist era in pre-war and wartime Germany, and chronicles Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and spread of Nazism. It shows the migration of refugees to Palestine and the early start of what would eventually be known as Israel. Westbrook Van Voorhis, the voice of the “March of Time”, narrates. This particular feature was created for the Jewish Appeal for Refugees Overseas on behalf of the Joint Distribution Committee United Service for New Americans (:19).
Opening scenes are from 1947 (:25). Pedestrians mill around a corner drug store (:36). A look at the American public’s mindset following the closure of the war (:42). Most civilians were concerned about domestic affairs (:42); few cared for foreign issues. American standards of living increased (:48); fashion, quality of living and recreational activities are discussed. European citizens huddle over radios discussing the loss of Holocaust victims (1:20). Hitler marches through Germany (2:02). Nazi officials including Goebbels (2:23), Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goring (2:27) appear. Notes mention the Reichstag meetings of 1935 and the Law for Protection of German blood and German honor (2:45). Jews were prohibited from marrying outside of their race. They were deprived of their citizenship (2:58) and were from henceforth considered “members”. Sturmabteilung arrest Jewish “members”, events of Kristallnacht (3:14). Hitler delivers his 1938 speech (3:26). A map shows the German spread across Europe (3:46). Nazis march as Westbrook explains the spread of propaganda (4:02). Headlines relay the landing on D-Day (4:11) and the capture of Berlin (4:16). Allied tank divisions drive (4:18) and German soldiers surrender (4:31). The Nazi symbol is exploded with TNT over the Nuremberg stadium at the Nazi Party Rally Grounds (4:42). A holocaust victim is buried (4:55). Jewish refugees board trains (5:25); many entered displaced persons camps (5:45). Some Nazi officials continued to enjoy lavish lifestyles unaffected by the close of the war (6:25). Citizens question the failure to persecute the officials (6:58). The rehabilitation of European industry is featured. A post war discussion of the lingering anti-Semitism (9:00) follows. A quarter of a million Jewish folk were displaced (9:17). A prison camp owned by Julius Streicher (9:25) is pictured. Bulldozers flatten lands for incoming Jewish settlers in Palestine (9:34). The incoming community learns farming techniques (10:03). Jewish language classes begin (10:20). Westbrook mentions the belief that Palestine was to be the new “promise land” over a map of the Middle East in the late 1940’s (10:35). Modern machinery clear lands (11:18). Refugees depart from internment camps (11:45). The United Palestine appeal is mentioned (11:59). Transport vessels take refugees to America (12:34). Lady Liberty appears (12:37). Gertrude and Walter Hess arrive (13:00) in the US. Refugees receive new employment supervising youth (13:16). President Truman meets over the Jewish Appeal (14:10). Dwight Eisenhower appears as the US Army Chief of Staff (14:29). The film concludes over images of emaciated faces of Jewish refugees as Medics deliver aide (15:12).
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