Wartime Pictures

During the first World War, the United States film industry established itself as a powerhouse both domestically and abroad. The outbreak of war in Europe interrupted the global film market, and Hollywood thrived by filling the holes left by European markets unable to produce or export films during the conflict. However, despite the commercial success and establishment of the industry as something akin to what we know of it today, there were other aspects of moviegoing during this era of note. For instance, the rise of non-narrative, genuine war footage popping up in local theaters, such as the following examples from Oregon towns. 

Sources of these war pictures came from the British Government, the French Government, the New York World Newspaper, and later, US forces, once our footing in the war became established, and the Photographic Section of the Signal Corps was created in July 1917 to control all photographic activities of the Army (1).

The appearance of these war pictures occurred across Oregon, from Portland to tiny towns, such as Vale. While it may seem that because of these advertisements, people were consistently seeing war footage in their local theaters during the Great War, that is not necessarily the case. There were these instances of footage shown, but overall theater programming did not sway too far from normal in the wartime years Thus, it makes the presence of these few battle footage films all the more interesting.  

Details within each advertisement reveal interesting realities and aspects of the time. For instance, in the Morning Oregonian advertisement regarding the “Battle of the Somme,” there is a segment that informs readers that 70% of ticket proceeds will go to the British War Relief Funds (2). The Malheur Enterprise, of Vale, Oregon, showing “genuine pictures” of “WAR!” also notes that this footage is important as a “pitiable reminder of what war is. An object lesson for world wide peace that should be spread to all corners of the Earth”(3). Moreover, in the Forest Grove Express, French war footage from Pathé is advertised. The price of admission is 10 and 20 cents, but with an additional War Tax (4). Finally, in The Bend Bulletin, the Bend Theatre markets 5 reels of “authentic moving pictures taken in the European warzone,” but also mentions the presence of “the Great Hewett” to perform magic and illusion at each showing (5). 

Overall, the programming of war pictures during WWI took place all over Oregon. These local showings attempted to shift public attention to the war effort with the hopes of educating, raising funds, promoting peace, celebrating heroes and more. 

Citations:

1. Amidon, Audrey. “Shooting World War I: The History of the Army Signal Corps Cameramen, 1917-1918.” The Unwritten Record, National Archives. March 16, 2017.
2. The Morning Oregonian. September 29, 1917. Page 6. Historic Oregon Newspapers.
3. Malheur Enterprise. April 28, 1917. Page 6. Historic Oregon Newspapers.
4. Forest Grove Express. December 27, 1917. Page 8. Historic Oregon Newspapers.
5. The Bend Bulletin. April 14, 1917. Page 3. Historic Oregon Newspapers.
6. The Morning Oregonian. July 31, 1917. Page 2. Historic Oregon Newspapers.
7. East Oregonian. July 03, 1917. Page 3. Historic Oregon Newspapers.
8. The Bend Bulletin. April 06, 1917. Page 1. Historic Oregon Newspapers.