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Wings of Youth (1940 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Wings of Youth' is a 1940 Canadian short documentary film, part of the 'Canada Carries On' series of short films by the National Film Board of Canada.Ohayon, Albert. [http://blog.nfb.ca/2009/07/13/propaganda-cinema/ "Propaganda cinema at the NFB."] 'National Film Board of Canada (NFB.ca)', July 13, 2009. Retrieved: January 18, 2016. The film was directed by Stuart Legg and Raymond Spottiswoode. It was narrated by Lorne Greene.Allan, Blaine. [http://www.film.queensu.ca/cbc/Obs.html "CBC Television Series, 1952-1982."] 'Queen's Film and Media' (Queen's University). Retrieved: January 18, 2016.

Synopsis



During the First World War, Canadian aviators made their mark as combat pilots. After the war, many of them became part of the Royal Canadian Air Force, taking on peacetime roles of mapping the frontiers and forest fire patrols. Bush pilots built a system of commercial flying that led to Trans-Canada Air Lines, a transcontinental airline. When war came again, veterans took on the task of training a new generation of aviators in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

While youth sign up and begin training, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan bases are being constructed across the country. In Canadian aircraft factories, training aircraft such as the North American Harvard are being manufactured to add to those sent from Great Britain, including the Fairey Battle and Avro Anson. To train for the modern aerial combat environment, pilots undergo a rigorous ground training program that includes classroom work, high altitude chambers and Link Trainer simulation sessions. After initial flying training, the successful candidates complete a solo flight in the Canadian designed and built Fleet Finch trainer, before going on to advanced flight training.

Other air crew learn how to navigate, drop armament and fire weapons in other simulated training programs. Mechanics also have to learn all the skills required to repair and maintain an aircraft. When pilots, ground crew and air crew trainees have completed their training, they receive their "wings" at a special graduation ceremony often presided over by high ranking RCAF officers such as Air Marshal Billy Bishop.

Cast



* Billy Bishop

* Fidel Carrire, trainee

* Wilf Mstthews, trainee

* Jack Linnes, trainee

* Harry Briggio, trainee

Production



'Wings of Youth' was the part of the 'Canada Carries On' series, produced with financial backing from the Wartime Information Board, in partnership with Audio Pictures Limited, which acted as a co-producer.Aitken 2013, p. 880. The documentary was created as a morale boosting propaganda film during the Second World War.Morris, Peter. [http://www.filmreferencelibrary.ca/index.asp?layid=44&csid1=615&navid=66 "Film Reference Library: Canada Carries On."] 'Canadian Film Encyclopedia'. Retrieved: January 18, 2016.

The narrator of 'Wings of Youth' was Lorne Greene, known for his work on both radio broadcasts as a news announcer at 'CBC' as well as narrating many of the 'Canada Carries On' series.Bennett 2004, p. 254. His sonorous recitation led to his nickname, "The Voice of Canada", and to some observers, the "voice-of-God".Rist 2001, p. 37. When reading grim battle statistics or as in 'Warclouds in the Pacific', narrating a particularly serious topic such as Canada going to war, he was "The Voice of Doom".[https://tkmorin.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/bonanzas-canadian-lorne-greene/ "Bonanza's Canadian Lorne Greene."] 'Bite Size Canada'. Retrieved: January 18, 2016.

Reception



As part of the 'Canada Carries On' series, 'Wings of Youth' was produced in 35 mm for the theatrical market.[https://www.nfb.ca/history/1940-1949/ "The 1940s."] 'NFB'. Retrieved: January 18, 2016. Each film was shown over a six-month period as part of the shorts or newsreel segments in approximately 800 theatres across Canada. Along with others in the 'Canada Carries On' series, 'Wings of Youth' received widespread circulation.Rist 2001, p. 124.

The NFB had an arrangement with Famous Players theatres to ensure that Canadians from coast-to-coast could see the documentary series, with further distribution by Columbia Pictures.Ellis and McLane 2005, p. 122. After the six-month theatrical tour ended, individual films were made available on 16 mm to schools, libraries, churches and factories, extending the life of these films for another year or two. They were also made available to film libraries operated by university and provincial authorities.

References



Notes



Bibliography



* Aitken, Iann. 'The Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of the Documentary Film'. London: Routedge, 2013. .

* Bennett, Linda Greene. 'My Father's Voice: The Biography of Lorne Greene'. Bloomington, Indiana: iUniverse, Inc., 2004. .

* Ellis, Jack C. and Betsy A. McLane. 'New History of Documentary Film'. London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005. .

* Rist, Peter. 'Guide to the Cinema(s) of Canada'. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. .


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