New Deal Film Festival 2: Safety Net - Berkeley Gray Panthers

This compilation, presented by the Berkeley Gray Panthers as part of their New Deal Film Festival, focuses on the theme "Building the Safety Net" with a selection of historical films from the era of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. Here's a brief breakdown of the content:

"FDR: Three Million Americans" - Likely discusses the scale of unemployment and the need for New Deal programs.
"FDR Signs Social Security" - Captures the historic moment when President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law, a cornerstone of the New Deal's safety net.
"Mortgage Insurance" - Focuses on the establishment of the Federal Housing Administration and its role in providing mortgage insurance to stimulate home ownership.
"We Work America" - A film showcasing the various public works projects under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) or similar programs, emphasizing job creation.
"Dance Interlude" - A cultural intermission, possibly showcasing the arts programs supported by New Deal initiatives like the Federal Theatre Project.
"The River" - A famous documentary by Pare Lorentz on the Mississippi River, highlighting the need for flood control and conservation efforts.
"FDR: CCC Camp Visit" - Footage of President Roosevelt visiting a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, illustrating the direct involvement of the President in one of the New Deal's most successful programs.
"Dust Bowl Song" - Likely includes Woody Guthrie's "Dust Bowl Ballads" or similar music, capturing the cultural response to the environmental disaster.
"Al Jolson on the NRA" - Features Al Jolson promoting the National Recovery Administration, a key early New Deal program aimed at industrial recovery.
"The Road is Open Again" - Possibly a metaphor for the economic recovery or specific infrastructure projects like road building.

This collection not only serves as a historical record but also as an educational tool on how the New Deal aimed to provide a safety net for Americans during the Great Depression, fostering economic recovery, social security, and environmental conservation through various programs.