Air Raid USO Red Feather 1943

This home movie from the Ellwood F. Hoffmann (1885-1966) Collection, filmed in 1943, likely in Philadelphia, captures the wartime spirit through air warden drills and Red Feather community events. Shot in vivid Kodachrome, the silent footage opens with air wardens in action—civilians donning helmets and armbands, practicing blackout procedures or signaling mock air raids, their movements crisp against a backdrop of rowhouses or a park. The film then shifts to Red Feather events, part of the Community Chest campaign (a precursor to United Way), featuring fundraisers for the USO and local charities. Scenes show volunteers—perhaps women in 1940s dresses or kids with donation cans—collecting for troop morale, alongside festive touches like a street fair or talent show. Hoffmann’s camera, possibly dashboard-mounted, sweeps across banners, smiling faces, and a flag-draped stage, blending duty with goodwill. Filmed amid WWII’s escalating homefront efforts, it reflects Philadelphia’s resolve and generosity, with the Red Feather symbolizing collective support for soldiers and civilians alike.