Sucker Bait

Just watched this military training short film on YouTube. It seems to have been made in Hollywood judging by the professionalism of the whole thing and the casting of many recognizable actors in it like Spring Byington, Donna Reed, Frank Faylen-those last two I recognized from my favorite movie: It's a Wonderful Life, and Esther Williams of whom this may have been close to her earliest film appearance. It takes place at a classroom where the teacher is telling his students how Americans aren't very smart and could possibly inadvertently reveal some classified info to someone they don't know but are fooled by certain demeanors or uniforms or other kinds of familiar clothes in thinking of them as fellow citizens instead of potential enemies during this World War II period. I'll just say that the way the film ends, it goes a way it perhaps shouldn't. So on that note, I recommend Sucker Bait for anyone curious about these vintage military films.

"Loose lips sink ships" read the posters. There were other warnings against talking about what was going on during the Second World War. This short film was produced by MGM for the Army to make that point to all ranks: there were German spies around, and any information might lead to the death and destruction of the men and women in the armed forces.... and to civilians too.

It's not just MGM personnel involved in this production. There are performer like Richard Carlson, who worked for Warner Brothers, composers like Daniele Amfitheatrof, whose home studio was Universal. Talent was traded back and forth even during peace time, but during the War, cooperation was heightened. And, we can hope, a few more people kept their mouths shut, and saved a few lives thereby.

During WWII, Hollywood had a very strong patriotic streak. Studios, directors and stars all contributed their time and energies to producing films to aid the US military without thought of personal gain. This meant that often studios gave space and money to produce films for the government. My favorites are the cartoons...such as the Private Snafu short "Booby Traps". This film was about the dangers of loose talk and how soldiers and civilians alike could unintentionally help the enemy by talking without thinking. "Sucker Bait" is very similar...but not as crazy nor as much fun to watch.

The film is clever because instead of lecturing the soldiers about keeping their mouth shut, it presents itself as if it was a Nazi instructional film...showing how dumb many American soldiers are and how they betray secrets if given a chance. And, like most of the films of the like, the stars are all various Hollywood stars...mostly supporting actors and actors who would soon become starts.

The film is very well made...and comes off as less preachy and jingoistic as many other training films. An interesting insight into the psyche of the times...well worth seeing.