Basil Wrangell

Philo goes after a gang of murderous jewel thieves. (imdb)

At least Heartaches looks more ambitious than it is-no small feat for a PRC production. Ken Farrell plays Vic Morton, a popular movie crooner whose voice is actually supplied anonymously by the gloriously nicknamed Bogey Mann (Chill Wills). Not long after Morton begins receiving mailed death threats, his press agent Mike Connelly (Frank Orth) is murdered, the second such killing in as many days. (allrovi.com)

Joe Doakes, like most men, is unable to cope with personal emergencies or those in a position of authority (real or imagined). (imdb)

Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, America was rife with rumors about the size of Japan's armed forces and how well-equipped they were to wage war against the US. The first part of this film dispels these rumors by showing that the US had more raw materials and more fighting ships. The narrator also cautions moviegoers against spreading rumors and believing everything they read in the newspapers. Just because "they say" something, that doesn't make it true. (imdb)

An FBI agent goes undercover to investigate the sabotage of American cargo ships. (imdb)

In this Pete Smith Speciality, the audience is asked a series of multiple-choice questions on various subjects. (imdb)

A lecturer tells the audience that it is National Take Care Week. He tells the story of a man who gets stung in his garden and the problems the man has when he seeks treatment at the doctor's office.

Blunderer Robert Benchley is going to show some house guests the film he and his wife took on a vacation trip. He sets up the projector and the reel begins...and nothing good happens for Benchley from this point.

A family man tries to spend a quiet Sunday at home, but his wife and children have other ideas.

A policeman's son searches for a suitable subject for an essay about an important person.

This short explores the origins of various customs such as shaking hands, kissing, and why ships are christened.

This short shows how gossip can be used to spread propaganda or ruin a person's reputation. The story focuses on a businessman who spearheads a drive to tear down slums to make room for low-cost public housing. His opponents seize upon a small bit of truth and twist it to turn public opinion against him. The narrator warns moviegoers to be skeptical of rumors, especially during wartime.

A look at American slang. The origins of a number of familiar expressions are explored, including "mind your Ps and Qs", "kick the bucket", "I don't give a damn" (which started as 'dam'), and "pin money".