This film was included in the three DVD set "Saved From the Flames"--a collection of mostly ephemeral movies that have managed to avoid turning to powder, catching fire or melting--something that usually happened with the nitrate film stock used up through the 1950s.
Of all the films in this collection, this and two other similar films are among the most unique. In an early television-like system, jukeboxes were produced in the early 1940s that not only played music but had film to accompany them--making them among the earliest music videos. Now I assume not too many of these films were made and it's really great that some are now available for viewing on DVD.
"Dear Arabella" most likely came out just before the US entered WWII--but the exact date of the short isn't listed on IMDb. However, like so many films of 1940-1941, it appears to be helping the American public to take to the notion of the war effort--with actors dressed as soldiers and WACS singing about what it's like to be away from home. It's all rather quaint today but is a nice look into life in America in 1941.
Of all the films in this collection, this and two other similar films are among the most unique. In an early television-like system, jukeboxes were produced in the early 1940s that not only played music but had film to accompany them--making them among the earliest music videos. Now I assume not too many of these films were made and it's really great that some are now available for viewing on DVD.
"Dear Arabella" most likely came out just before the US entered WWII--but the exact date of the short isn't listed on IMDb. However, like so many films of 1940-1941, it appears to be helping the American public to take to the notion of the war effort--with actors dressed as soldiers and WACS singing about what it's like to be away from home. It's all rather quaint today but is a nice look into life in America in 1941.