If

1942 · 2 min · Animation

This film shows how a vicious spiral of inflation would threaten the country if wartime controls were relaxed. In peacetime, prices are stable--raw materials plus transportation plus manufacture plus packaging plus distribution make up the price of commodities. But in wartime bidding starts for goods which are hard to get. Raises to employees to meet higher prices result in higher costs of production. Prices rise again. Without wartime controls, the spiral would mount up, up and up--and ruinous inflation would be the horrible climax.

Directed by Philip Ragan · Written by Philip Ragan

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Buying Fever

Buying Fever · 1943

A victory loan film urging people not to sell their Victory Bonds. The Plugger family happily dreams of the day after the war when they will be able to make dreams come true with the money from their bonds. But the temptation to cash them in immediately to buy luxury goods is strong. The Pluggers, however, overcome temptation, and are once more on the road to victory.

Rationing

Rationing · 1943

An animated short that explains wartime rationing.

The Rug

The Rug · 1944

In this animated short the Pluggers cash in a Victory Bond to purchase a new rug. However, the rug refuses to behave, so they return it to the store and buy a new Victory Bond with the money.

Seaforth Cummings

Seaforth Cummings · 1944

Seaforth Cummings

An animated film showing how Victory bonds are a good way to save money for the post-war period.

The String

The String · 1943

An animated short emphasizing the importance of not cashing in Victory Bonds before the end of World War II.

National Income

National Income · 1942

National Income

This film explains what makes up the national income and how it is spent. It also suggests that savings be invested in war bonds and certificates.

Mutual Aid

Mutual Aid · 1944

An animated short about the work of Canada's Mutual Aid Board and the necessity for this cooperation between the Allied countries.

Nutrition

Nutrition · 1943

An animated short film explaining the nutritive values of staple foods. It lists the body's basic nutritional requirements and specifies the foods which meet these needs. Emphasized are the types of diets needed for active and inactive work.

Price Shock

Price Shock · 1943

Due to the lack of price controls during World War I commodities became very expensive. This animated film contrasts that situation with the price controls of World War II. (Also known under the title A Case of Price Shock.)

The Missus Beats Him to It

The Missus Beats Him to It · 1944

The Missus Beats Him to It

The film emphasizes the wartime need for remodelling old clothes, to avoid the purchase of new garments.

Story of Wartime Controls

Story of Wartime Controls · 1942

Story of Wartime Controls

In Canada, a democracy at war, civilian needs must be reduced. There's less to buy, more to spend. Prices go up. To prevent inflation, a price ceiling is fixed and rationing introduced. Money is needed to win the war. The motto: lend your savings to Canada.

No More Kitchen Sopranos

No More Kitchen Sopranos · 1942

No More Kitchen Sopranos

Electricity must be saved in wartime to keep power plants in full production for more urgent needs.

Curtailment of Civilian Industries

Curtailment of Civilian Industries · 1943

Curtailment of Civilian Industries

During World War II, the production of non-essential goods was kept at a minimum so that war industries could reach a maximum output. Spending power increased, but since employable men were needed by the armed forces, more workers had to be found for war industry.

Empty Rooms Mean Idle Machines

Empty Rooms Mean Idle Machines · 1942

Empty Rooms Mean Idle Machines

This animated short produced during WWII shows how Plugger helped the war effort by renting out his spare room so that a new worker could be brought in to work an idle machine at the munitions plant.

Price Control and Rationing

Price Control and Rationing · 1945

Price Control and Rationing

An animated documentary about the need for price controls and rationing in Canada during the immediate post-World War II period.

He Plants for Victory

He Plants for Victory · 1943

He Plants for Victory

This animated short focuses on Mrs. Plugger, who is eager to start her own Victory Garden. Reminding her that tools are hard to get and that neither of them know much about gardening, Plugger organizes his neighbours to cultivate vegetables in a vacant lot.

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