Hilarious propaganda short defending America's right to defend the rest of the western hemisphere from everyone else. (OK, the right to stop other nations "interfering" in them, with their dastardly foreign "despotism". Glad to see how democratic & liberty-loving the South Americans, especially, became).
Sorry, but I'm Canadian. and it's difficult to watch a movie about this without making with the wisecracks. Henry Clay, a slave owner, is is shown eloquently defending democratic rights. Teddy Roosevelt emotes rather violently (the poor actor looks like he's about to pop his clogs) over America's peaceful intentions - and of course, not over his 3 different plans to invade Canada. One of these involved Britain's dispute about Venezuela - but it's interesting how she's never named (just called "a foreign power").
In fact the most interesting aspect of this movie is they way it attacks all European countries EXCEPT Britain. No mention of 1812 or the other disagreements in our history Why? Because it's 1939 folks & the British are now America's most valued allies. In fact they will have to be the ones stopping foreign despotism for nearly 2 years before America got involved.
Anyway, the film itself is fast and fun to watch - for different reasons, depending where you come from. And Nanette Fabray & George Reeves make a wonderfully appealing couple whose love transcends national boundaries. Watch it and debate the ideas inside.
