Despite a deepening depression, in 1933 Chevrolet was doing the nation’s work, manufacturing cars and providing employment across America.
First, a little housekeeping. This Chevrolet film, entitled The Triumph of America, was officially released in 1933, but as our eagle-eyed viewers at Mac’s Motor City Garage will surely notice, the vehicles depicted here are 1932 models. And naturally, to maintain continuity we chose a 1932 Chevrolet for our lead image above. We thought we should mention this point to avoid any confusion.
It’s not difficult to imagine the motivation behind this very typical Jam Handy production. At that moment the USA was tumbling into a severe economic depression and manufacturers, General Motors included, were keen to show that the nation was still open for business, producing goods and employing workers. As the film boasts, Chevrolet was still the best-selling car in the country, although sales volume had declined more than 50 percent from its 1931 level. So in 21 minutes, we are treated to a number of great views of the Chevrolet manufacturing process, including the production of raw materials. We were reminded of the famous assertion of President Calvin Coolidge from a few years earlier in 1925: “The business of America is business!”
Some really interesting processes are depicted here, but one final note: At the 19-minute mark in the film, Jam Handy chose to include a totally demeaning depiction of African-Americans at work and even included an offensive racial slur. To make matters worse, the segment is totally gratuitous, adding nothing to our understanding of automobile production. It was simply the director’s idea of entertainment, apparently. For a moment we actually considered editing out this portion, but it is true reflection of the prevailing attitudes of the time, and not that long ago, either. This is our history, like it or not. Video below.
I thought it was a correct time period video of the Auto industry in general.. … It amazes me how Industrialized America was & became in such a short span of time, I love this country! … btw no problems with the ” racial slur” it’s called HISTORY and just how people talked back in the day whether it be Blacks, Whites. Latino, Japanese, etc. … Wish people would Grow up, Get over it, and Get on with life instead playing a victim! Geez.
We don’t speak to each other that way any more because we have learned to have more respect for each other than that. It’s called progress.
Craig, you have a lot to learn about our country and its history. When this film was made, black people in the cotton states were typically not allowed to vote. The region was totally segregated under the Jim Crow laws, right down to the drinking fountains, and lynchings were commonplace.