Summary: An American commentator looks at the effects of rationing on the people of England.
Description: Her survey uses a 'typical' family of 4 (housewife, engine-driver husband, factory-working daughter, schoolboy son) to present an idea of actual quantities involved in basic rationing, the workings of 'point' systems and other restrictions, and the difficulties of life resulting from rationing. Each member of the family highlights a different problem: the mother food, the daughter clothing, the son sweets, the father general difficulties (high purchase tax on luxuries, non-availability of particular sizes or favourite products etc). The commentary also makes generalised remarks: rationing has caused a "social revolution", has "put the dollar-a-day man on an eating level with the dollar-a-year man"; "basic rations don't amount to much, but they are sure of getting them every week."
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:COI 155
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
World Wide Pictures (Production company)
Cutts, Graham (Production individual)
Bond, Ralph (Production individual)
Williams, Geoffrey (Production individual)
Bland, William S (Production individual)
Welsh, Mary (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: society, British - domestic: rationing (object name)
society, British - ethnic (object name)
GB, England (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 968 ft; Running time: 11 mins
