Alaska Lifeboat

The second "Pete Smith Special" dealing with Fala, the pet dog of the late-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died long before the release of this short. Smith provides the commenary and narration from Fala's "diary" as the dog visits his favorite places of interest at Hyde Park, the Roosevelt family's country estate in upper New York state. Any appearance of FDR, if there is one, in this January 19, 1946-release short is Archive Footage.

A motorcycle cop buys a used car to take his family on vacation to the East Coast. Minor car trouble along the way causes him to meet first a reckless driver, and then a highway patrolman who shares stories of bad drivers with him. Various dangers of careless driving - both fictional and real - are depicted as the patrolman continues on the job, later crossing paths with the reckless driver again. When the police officer makes the return trip from his vacation, he finds that the situation has changed in a surprising way.

In this somewhat whitewashed documentary on Manhattan's Bowery a newcomer to the area takes his first step toward redemption after a meal, bed, and inspiring talk.

Americans are preoccupied with the news, but need an escape from many of the events reported in the news. These escapes in the past have included dime store novels. The most accessible of these escapes is what are known as the funny papers, the set of serialized comic strips that are included within many newspapers. They appeal to all socio-economic classes, and all ages. Some of the earliest known from the late 19th century include the Yellow Kid, Little Nemo, Happy Hooligan, the Katzenjammer Kids, Mutt & Jeff, and Bringing Up Father. Many cartoonists are seen in action. Some originated their characters, while others have taken over following the passing of the originator. The joy of many comic strips are the absurd and the fantastical, which are limited only by the imagination of the cartoonist. Others are grounded in reality, which add to their poignancy within the public mindset.

This Theatre of Life series short, produced with the cooperation of the Los Angeles Fire Department, emphasizes fire safety and fire prevention. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the switching system used to dispatch the proper equipment to fires, as well as a look at life in the fire station and fire fighter training. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Subject, Two-Reel.

This Theatre of Life short focuses on heart disease, and how bad diet, lack of exercise, and the stress of fast-paced living contribute to the rising rates of heart disease and heart attacks.

The saga of the Normandie is recounted from her life as a luxury liner, the horrific fire that nearly destroyed her, and her resuscitation to join in the war effort. A John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short.