I'm An American -- Ludwig Bemelmans

Recorded Sound | Digitized | RG Number: RG-91.0043

Overview

Description: On February 9, 1941 Ludwig Bemelmans spoke with William H. Marshall, Assistant District Director of Immigration at Ellis Island, about his American experience. Bemelmans begins by telling Mr. Marshall why he’s proud to be an American. The two men discuss Ludwig’s first impression and misconceptions. The author states the difference between German and American culture is discipline. He goes on to tell a humorous story to strengthen his claim. The author explains why naturalized citizens boast of their native land, but are still loyal to America. He gives his opinion on the current state of Europe. Bemelmans closes the program telling a story about the time he was scheduled to interview Hitler.

Ludwig Bemelmans was born on April 27, 1898 in Meran, Austria-Hungary (now Italy). In 1904, his father left the family for another woman. His mother moved the family to her native town in Regensburg, Germany. He hated German schooling and was often bullied for his small stature. At 16, Bemelmans apprenticed with his uncle in an Austrian hotel. He ran into trouble, however, after he shot the head waiter in the abdomen for continuously whipping him. His family was advised by the police to send him to reform school or America. Bemelmans arrived in America on Christmas Eve 1914 and joined the U.S. Army in 1917, but was not deployed to Europe because of his German roots. Bemelmans became a naturalized citizen while serving. The aspiring author then spent several years exclusively writing and painting while working at the Ritz-Carlton. Bemelmans began publishing children’s books after meeting May Massee, a children’s book editor, in the 1930s. Bemelmans’ breakout book "Madeline" was published in 1939.
Date: Broadcast: 1941 February 09
Format: WAV

Physical Details

Language: English
Genre/Form: Radio broadcasts.

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: This archival media can only be accessed in a Museum reading room or other on-campus viewing stations.
Copyright: NBC Universal
Conditions on Use: Contact NBC Universal at www.nbcuniarchives.com for permission to duplicate and use this film or sound recording.

Keywords & Subjects

Topical Term: Authors. Discipline. Immigrants--Interviews. Immigrants--United States. Men--Personal narratives. National characteristics, American. World War, 1939-1945--Europe.
Geographic Name: Europe. United States.
Personal Name: Bemelmans, Ludwig, 1898-1962. Marshall, William H.
Corporate Name: National Broadcasting Company United States. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Administrative Notes

Legal Status: In process
Recorded Sound Provenance: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum purchased digital copies of these sound recordings from the Library of Congress in March 2018.
Recorded Sound Notes: More information about Ludwig Bemelmans:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/1912/ludwig-bemelmans
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/style/madeleine-author-illustrator.html
https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/dec/24/madeline-by-ludwig-bemelmans-bright-mischief-quiet-melancholy
http://www.madeline.com/author.html

More information about I’M AN AMERICAN:
https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/historians-mailbox/im-american
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/557338355/im-an-american-radio-show-promoted-inclusion-before-world-war-ii
Recorded Sound Source: Library of Congress - Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS)

Record last modified:: 2024-02-21 07:30:12
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn620820

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Also in "I'm An American" NBC radio broadcasts

I’M AN AMERICAN premiered in 1940 on the eve of WWII. The NBC radio broadcast was spearheaded by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the U.S. Department of Labor to foster a “deeper consciousness of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and more tolerance for fellow american of all birthplaces”. The weekly program featured distinguished foreign-born citizens discussing their naturalization process, the meaning of “democracy” and reminding all Americans of the value/privilege of U.S. citizenship. Sound recordings of I’M AN AMERICAN are available from the NBC Radio Collection in the Library of Congress.

Date: 1940-1944

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I'm An American -- Ludwig Bemelmans

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