This film is part of Free
Bill Jack vs Adolf Hitler
Free doughnuts, vitamin pills and jazz on the factory floor: this portrait of an Ohio manufacturing company shows how an unorthodox approach to business helped the war effort in 1943.
Overview
The future of American industry or a blueprint for chaos? This film about the Jack & Heintz Co. in Cleveland, Ohio shows how the enlightened yet unorthodox employment policies of charismatic company owner Bill Jack created a workforce of ‘associates’ who were allowed to smoke - and even dance - on the job and were so productive that they were awarded a coveted ‘E’ for efficiency award by their sole wartime contractor, the US Armed Forces.
Despite its superficially unpromising subject matter, this film captures an American business at the height of its success, in a series of witty and entertaining clips. From the public shaming of an employee pestering a female worker, to workers enjoying a free holiday on the alluringly named Honeymoon Isle, the film shows the daily reality of the company’s unorthodox but successful personnel practices. Once the war was over the valuable military contracts dried up and the company - which made starters for aeroplanes - was forced to merge with another business called Precision Products. The owners Bill Jack and Ralph Heintz sold their stock and gradually the enlightened work practices disappeared.
Related
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2024 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2024 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.