Marines in the Making (1942)

Pete Smith’s usually irreverent style of commentary is a bit hemmed-in in this film as it’s propagandist purpose doesn’t really allow him to let loose. He still manages to include some deprecating, anti-Japanese, “Tojo” sentiment as we learn just how comprehensive the US Marine’s training programme is. These brave and decent young soldiers are having to learn new underhand and squalid techniques so that they can give as good as they get with their dishonourable foes expert in martial arts and fighting with sharp sticks. The last two minutes is akin to a vow - to the soldier and to his Nation - about the relationship he will have with his rifle but that’s a bit on the jingoistic side, even for the time, and rather spoils the tongue-in-cheek element that could have been more effective by turning this into more of a recruitment film.