“The business of America is business,” newly-elected president Calvin Coolidge is quoted as saying about 100 years ago. Certainly business believed that. And likely still does.
After the Second World War, the great paranoia of America was Communism. To business, Communism meant the government ran everything, not business. Government interference was bad for business. This sentiment found its way into propaganda cartoons produced by John Suthlerland Productions for Harding College. Its message slips through the Industry On Parade TV series given free to stations by the Manufacturers Association of America.
We’ve found another example in a mainly animated short produced as a “public service” for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1965 by the Calvin Company. Industry On Parade spoke of “wise government spending.” This one is more pointed, criticising government agencies for the “problems” they’ve caused businesses in the U.S. It favours “essential regulation,” no doubt meaning regulation that favoured increased company profits.
The Sutherland cartoons featured interesting designs and solid animation. This one is a little lacklustre and stiff, I’m afraid. Its main attraction is the work of Mel Blanc, who is the only person who gets a screen credit. The King’s voice has more than a slight resemblance to Cosmo Spacely, including, in jowly manner, the immortal words “You’re fired!”.
There’s no indication who was responsible for the animation. A background drawing, appropriate for a cartoon, shows one of the businesses is named “Acme Firewood.” The building next to it is “Jones Wood.” It’s probably just a coincidence, but it would be neat if this “illustrated radio” film was honouring you-know-who.
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