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"Thoroughly Modern Molly" Women in the U.S. Marine Corps (1968)

1968 · Short film · 13 min

  • War
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Synopsis

Presented by the United States Marine Corps, “Thoroughly Modern Molly” is a color, informational film from 1968 that highlights and celebrates the work of the women Marines who served their country. The statue known as ‘Molly Marine’ was originally commissioned by Marine Technical Sgt. Charles Gresham, a recruiter, in hopes to increase enlistment of females into the military during World War II. Molly Marine was the first statue of a woman in uniform, and it was erected on the Corps' birthday, Nov. 10, 1943 in New Orleans, La. While 1943 was the inaugural year for female Marines, the film opens with footage from the rededication ceremony of the statue in 1966 to honor all of the “modern Mollys” and goes on to feature scenes that highlight a woman Marine’s training, duties, and posts around the world. 25th anniversary ceremony Molly Marine statue in New Orleans; women Marines and dignitaries stand as flowers are laid by statue (0:09). Close-up detail shots of statue, plaque with text (0:50). Footage from WWII of Marines 6th Division during invasion of Okinawa at Yae-Take and Sugar Loaf Hill (1:16). Female Marines work beside men in data processing, (2:22). Image development training: group of female Marines sit in chairs in a room lined with vanity mirrors, watch as instructor points to female model and teaches Marines how to present themselves - hair styles, makeup, posture (3:10-3:37). Male Marine escorts female to his car (4:07). Pedestrian traffic perhaps downtown New…

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Details

Running time
13 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

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