Dating to WWII, “Secret Weapon” was produced by Sealtest and the National Dairy Industry to promote the importance of proper nutrition as supplied by milk and milk products in a healthy diet. The implication was that healthy people on the home front could help win the war, and that the Army draft would benefit from having milk-fed candidates. The opening scene is of famed broadcaster Lowell Thomas (0:42). He continues to say that his job is to announce conflicts and news regarding WWII (0:55). In this film specifically, he will discuss the “home front” which covers the lives of the American family who sit back as WWII is occurring (0:59). Introducing the first family, known as the Allen’s, described as a typical American family in a typical American town (1:24). Marty and Helen are husband and wife, and Teddy and Bob are their two sons (1:59). Bob Allen and his friend Bill White were the first teenagers in their community to register for the draft (2:15). The next scene is set at a dinner, with Bob, Bill and their family (3:37). The audience learns that Bob didn’t make it in the Army due to being underweight (3:37). Bob continues to say that he didn’t realize how lonely the town can be, being one of the few men who didn’t make it into the Army (3:37). A further discussion is led around the dinner table regarding milk and nutrition, on one side stating the importance of milk, and Bob’s mother saying it’s too expensive (4:36). The next scene is of Lowell Thomas, stating that if Bob had kept an eye out for his nutrition and drunk his milk, he would have qualified for the Army (5:00). Thomas discusses how milk is produced (6:33). With selective breeding and proper feeding, a strict schedule is maintained with the cows (7:10). At a cost of only 9 cents a pound, milk is one of the most inexpensive foods in the market in terms of food value (12:31). Lowell Thomas explains that in the next scene, we understand why Bob didn’t make it in the army. Bob and his friend Sue are eating at a table, discussing nutrition (14:40). Sue says Bob doesn’t eat properly (14:44). She tells him to order ice cream or a glass of milk (15:00). The next clip is a segment discussing the benefits of ice cream, saying that it is rich in energy building properties such as carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins (15:24). It also goes into discussing the production of Ice cream (16:03). The final stage of production is an inspection made by the laboratory technician, that ensures everything has been well done (18:10). The next scene is back at the Allen’s home, where Teddy comes home frustrated he didn’t make the sports team (18:53). Bill also comes home, and opens a letter from Bob that says what he learned in the army is the importance of an appetite (20:37). Bob asks his mother if she thinks Sue is right, and if they might be eating the wrong foods (20:56). Sue explains that proper eating won’t help overnight, but can eventually help Teddy make the team and have Bob pass his physical (21:26). The next scene is of Sue’s nutrition class, where her teacher says that proper food doesn’t have to cost extra money (22:23). She also goes on to say that foods that are good for you, are never expensive (22:53). As the scene is back in the living room, Sue says that proper eating is a powerful silent weapon, one that will protect you as individuals and a nation (25:51). Helen Allen says that from now on, she will feed her men the correct foods (27:50). Lowell Thomas takes the audience into the future of what the Allen family would achieve by eating healthy (28:50). Teddy runs into the room with excitement, saying that he made the team (28:48). Bob Allen finally passes his physical and makes it into the army (29:06). The ending scene is of two men toasting to glasses of milk (30:01). Lowell Thomas explains that it is a woman’s duty to ensure that families across America are fed the correct nutrients (30:24).

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