I'm An American Day 1941 -- I'm An American Day

Recorded Sound | Digitized | RG Number: RG-91.0059

Overview

Description: On May 18, 1941 at 6:05PM, Edward Arnold participated in a special dramatic broadcast at the Hollywood Bowl in celebration of I’m An American Day. Host Art Baker opens the program explaining the purpose of the new holiday. The National Anthem is played by the LA WPA 75 piece orchestra and sung by John Charles Thomas, the LA City College 70 Voice A Capella Choir. 15,000 people are in attendance. 21-year-old Aileen Syral reads the invocation. Edward Arnold, President of the I’m An American Foundation, reads the Presidential Proclamation from Franklin D. Roosevelt declaring May 18 as I’m an American Day.

"The Case of Robert: A Character Study" by Carlton E. Morse begins with 21-year-old Robert (voice of Jackie Cooper), who has just come of age, sitting at the defendant table in a court of law. He has been summoned to hear of testimony about his character on his birthday. The Judge (Edward Arnold) calls Robert’s neighbor, boss, friend, girlfriend, mother, and father to testify. All of the witnesses vouch for Robert’s ideals and character. Robert’s father reveals that summoning his son to court was his idea because men are allowed to slip into manhood and citizenship unnoticed. The court welcomes Robert as an adult U.S. citizen without privileges. Robert replies to the ruling by saying, “It’s the most important day of my life”. The scene closes with the Judge reminding Robert that citizenship is sacred. America the Beautiful is played.

The radio broadcast continues with the Los Angeles Mayor and LA County Supervisor addressing the audience in support of democracy and tolerance. The LA WPA 75 piece orchestra, the LA City College 70 Voice A Capella Choir and John Charles Thomas play "I Hear America Singing" intertwined with poems by Walt Whitman. Ben Neal, Founder and Honorary President of the I’m an American Foundation, references the motion picture industry's support in the program. The President of the Motion Picture Association, Wyatt Frank Freeman, talks about the power of films in fostering knowledge and understanding; as well as its influence on the thoughts and habits of viewers.

The special I’m an American Day broadcast closes with 15,000 people reciting the American Creed.
Date: Broadcast: 1941 May 18
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.

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 Edward Arnold:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0036427/bio
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/5769%7C44417/Edward-Arnold/
https://www.fandango.com/people/edward-arnold-35277/biography
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Arnold

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

Credits:
Music by John Charles Thomas, Solo
Written by Carlton E Morse
Stellar Film and radio cast
Edward Arnold - Judge
Jackie Cooper - Robert
Norman Field - Robert’s neighbor
Cliff Arquette - Robert’s Boss
Ben Alexander - Robert’s Pal
Bonita Granville - Robert’s Girlfriend
Irene Rich - Mother
Elliot Lewis - Father

Bio: Edward Arnold (b. Gunther Edward Arnold Schneider) was born on February 18, 1890 in New York City to German immigrant parents. He was forced to support himself, at the age of 11, with a series of manual labor jobs. He made his first stage appearance at 12 in an amateur production. Arnold became a professional actor at 15 when he joined the prestigious Ben Greet Players. He toured with notable actors during his teenage years. Hoping for a role as a leading man, Arnold quickly found his fortune lay in character parts for larger body types. He made his motion picture debut as a gangster in 1933. During the 1940s, Arnold became increasingly active in politics. He was co-founder of the "I Am an American Foundation," an officer of Hollywood's Permanent Charities Committee and a president of the Screen Actors Guild. Arnold continued playing supporting villains and remained in demand until his death.
Recorded Sound Source: Library of Congress - Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS)

Record last modified:: 2024-02-21 07:27:10
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn620839

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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 Day 1941 -- I'm An American Day

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