The Negro Sailor is a 1945 documentary short film made for the U.S. Navy, which was segregated during WWII. It was directed by Henry Levin. The film attempts to emphasize integration, advancement based on ability, equal treatment, and team work in the Navy. The plot revolves around an African American newspaper employee who is drafted. All phases of Navy boot camp are represented as integrated and equal. Shows physicals, clothing procurement, barracks inspection, KP and social activities. Names black non-combatants who received distinguished Navy Service Awards for bravery: Doris (Dorie) Miller, Elbert H. Oliver, William Pinckney, and Leonard Roy Harmon. Points out that all Navy ratings are open to black Americans and shows black sailors learning navigation, radio operation, aviation mechanics, and other specialties. On a destroyer with a predominantly black crew, blacks fill all positions except commissioned officers. Shows ship in battle action and blacks in Ordnance and CB battalions. The film closes with commentary on how blacks and whites have fought side by side to keep America free throughout history.
The United States Navy presents, The Negro Sailor. All scenes depicting Navy personnel and activities are either scenes of actual Naval units photographed by Navy camera crews or authentic incidents recreated to conform exactly with conditions existing in the Naval establishment at the time of filming. The film opens with people walking by the front offices of The Herald Chronicle, :49. Boy comes into newsroom with sailor hat delivering mail, 1:00. Man answers telephone, 1:35. Man enters office, 2:03. Men have a discussion over a desk, 2:26. Man enters office, 3:09. Two men speaking, 3:27. Football players running up the bleachers, 3:41. Football game, the ball is hiked, 3:52. Touchdown pass is thrown, 4:03. Three men talking in the stands, 4:13. Different sailors are shown, 4:30. On the Navy Team. Man at typewriter, 4:450. Doctor measures and checks the heartbeat of recruits, 5:16. Men get shots, 5:33. Men get weighed, 5:50. Men get their uniforms, 6:19. Officer speaks to new recruits, 6:40. Men march in unison, 7:20. Men have their bunks and clothing inspected, 7:40. Men do pushups, 8:15. Men run an obstacle course, 8:25. Men do gun exercises, 8:45. Men in the mess hall drinking malts, 9:02. Men play ping pong, 9:15. Boxing match, 9:20. Navy men dancing with ladies, 9:35. Men gardening and cleaning, 10:00. Man reads the Articles for the Government of the United States Navy off the wall, 10:25. Man looks at a piece of art, 10:50. Images of boats burning in Pearl Harbor, 11:00. Images of Pearl Harbor, 11:20. Man looks at images of famous sailors and flashbacks of Pearl Harbor, 12:00. Images of sailors, 12:20. Two men talking, 12:35. Steward’s mates learn about the many parts of the ship, 13:06. Men learn how to work the guns on the ship, 13:20. Men marching in review, 13:47. Hampton Institute, U.S. Naval Training School, Hampton, VA, 14:12. Men march in parade, 14:25. Men are checked into Naval school, 14:47. Men in school, learning about the Navy, 15:14. Men plot courses on maps, 15:28. Boat on the water, 15:53. Man steering boat, 16:00. Different Navy jobs, 16:47. Men signal a ship, 17:00. Minesweepers, 17:12. Boat propellers are adjusted, 17:37. Man in plane, takes camera and takes off, 18:00. Man takes photos from the air, 18:18. Navy oiler, 18:30. Chaplain advises the men, 18:42. Man at his desk, writing, 18:57. Men in control room directing ship, 19:17. Destroyer on the open sea, 19:26. Men working on a Navy gun, 19:40. Radiomen and electricians working, 20:05. Men in kitchen, 20:25. Battle-stations are manned, 20:39. Men fire Navy guns, 21:15. Depth charger explodes, 21:27. Guns are fired, 21:47. Depth chargers explode everywhere, 22:00. Shells are created on the ship, 22:40. Ammunition is created, 22:55. Shells are polished, 23:20. Line of battleships, 23:43. Ships on the horizon, 24:04. Ships in battle, 24:13. Wounded men on deck, 24:18. Men in battle, 24:30. Roads are built, 24:42. Putting down airstrips, 24:50. Line of enemy planes attack, 25:13. Explosions on the ground, 25:15. German U-boats, 25:37. Cemetery is shown, 25:50. Men march in unison over image of man, 26:05.
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
