Best Documentary Movies of 1944

A World War II drama-documentary showing the struggles of Merchant Navy seamen folliowing an attack by a U-Boat.

Life aboard merchant ships with the Maritime Regiment of the Royal Artillery.

This film features highlights of MGM's productions from 1924 through 1943, in honor of the studio's twentieth anniversary.

This MGM Passing Parade series short takes a look at changing definitions of art in the United States.

This Traveltalks entry focuses first on the architectural styles found in Arizona, then switches to the natural wonders in the state. After a visit to a dude ranch, the film ends with a rendition of "Home on the Range".

Visits to three animal parks in Miami, Florida: the Rare Bird Farm, with it's many chickens, cranes, and other birds; the Monkey Jungle, where the visitors are caged and the simian inhabitants roam freely; and finally the Parrot Jungle.

Documentary feature film depicting the training of young Lieutenant Jim Anthony as a pilot of the B-26 Marauder bomber. Dick, the captain charged with pilot instruction, leads Jim through every aspect of preparation to fly the bomber, going through a detailed checklist of pre-flight procedures, long before he allows Jim to turn an engine over. Once preparations are completed, Dick shows Jim the process of starting the engines, followed by take-off. In the air, further instruction helps Jim understand the various limits and capabilities of the aircraft. When one engine fails, Dick must simultaneously guide the limping plane back to a safe landing and explain to Jim each step of the procedure.

Conductor Arturo Toscanini is shown at his home in New York City and leading tenor Jan Peerce and the NBC Symphony Orchestra in Verdi's "Hymn of the Nations" and "Overture to 'La Forza del Destino.'"

General Henry H. 'Hap' Arnold summarizes U.S. Army and Army Air Force activities in the Pacific Theater of World War II in this short documentary film. Air attacks on Japanese held islands, the rescue of American troops under fire by the Japanese, and successful bombing missions are depicted.