LIFE WITH GRANDPA

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 13th Year

Issue

Issue No.

13

Date Released

1948

Length of issue (in feet)

1508

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1LIFE WITH GRANDPA

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: In "Life with Grandpa" The March of Time presents the case for the over 60s who, healthier than their counterparts a generation ago and with the prospect of longer active years, find themselves all too often compelled to retire - the victims of an age-old prejudice that puts the accent on youth.

Deprived of the means of earning an independent livelihood and faced with the problem of making ends meet on an inadequate pension, many are forced to rely upon their children for assistance - a situation which men find very much more difficult than women, who generally adjust themselves more readily. For those even less fortunate there are the alternatives of accepting local and State administered relief or spending their declining years in almshouses of which, says the film, there are still some 1,300 in the United States today, housing 100,000 men and women. In discussing the financial problems of old age, The March of Time reviews the various schemes that have been put forward, best known of which is that have been put forward, best known of which is that started by Dr. Francis E. Townsend who, though his early Utopian aims have been modified, still continues the battle, and now claims the support of more than 200 members of Congress and an estimated 5,000,000 American voters. A Government Social Security Programme is also in operation, besides thousands of business concerns with pension plans that cover over 10,000,000 workers.

But says the film, in addition to pensions there are equally important provisions which must be made for old folks and, since medical science is steadily increasing life expectancy, the wasted energy of the elderly becomes a growing problem. Most medical men feel that the best defence against the ravages of old age lies in keeping active, and though the recreational and educational facilities offered by many social centres do much towards combating the effects of loneliness and boredom, many authorities believe that only by keeping able, older workers gainfully and productively employed can an overall solution be effected.
Conducting an active campaign to break down the widespread reluctance to employ veterans, the Federation Employment Service, a privately endowed philanthropic organisation, has been successful in placing eldery people in jobs for which they are best fitted. Scenes taken in a New York gun factory, where anyone less than 60 is regarded as a youngster, show that older workers can be trusted with important jobs and are considered valued and capable employees, while, says the film, the experience of many firms is that older men are as productive and efficient as their younger colleagues.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.14 No.14 of the US edition.

Keywords

Older people; Social welfare

Written sources

The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.