Frank Collin, Nazi Leader
Date Of Production
1977
Abstract
A short film depicting the white supremacist ideology of the National Socialist Party of America and its former leader, Frank Collin. The film adopts a position of narrative distance to a certain extent, as the filmmakers meant for the work to be a straightforward depiction of how members of the movement "view themselves."
The filmmakers add another disclaimer towards the beginning, that the film "does not intend to be a representation of the views of the Marquette Park community, a neighborhood on the Southwest Side of Chicago."
Frank Collin, Nazi Leader's centerpiece - aside from copious interview footage with Collin himself – is a protest the group held in Downtown Chicago to demand the release of former Nazi leader Rudolf Hess, whom they believe to have been unfairly maligned.
The film was made at the Columbia College Film Department, under the auspices of the Lawyers for the Creative Arts, and distributed by 1984 Films, Inc.
The filmmakers add another disclaimer towards the beginning, that the film "does not intend to be a representation of the views of the Marquette Park community, a neighborhood on the Southwest Side of Chicago."
Frank Collin, Nazi Leader's centerpiece - aside from copious interview footage with Collin himself – is a protest the group held in Downtown Chicago to demand the release of former Nazi leader Rudolf Hess, whom they believe to have been unfairly maligned.
The film was made at the Columbia College Film Department, under the auspices of the Lawyers for the Creative Arts, and distributed by 1984 Films, Inc.
Description
After several disclaimers from the filmmakers regarding the nature of the film and its depiction of the hate group based in Marquette Park, the first scene shows Collin in full Nazi regalia speaking directly to the camera, expressing his views and describing his initial attraction to Nazism, Hitler, and the Third Reich.
This is followed by Collin gathering his followers in a residential street near the Marquette Funeral Home to lead a protest in the Downtown area demanding that Rudolf Hess be released from prison in Spandau. They make the remarkable claim that Hess, the former leading Nazi officer, wanted peace, and that he has been unfairly thrown into prison.
The next sequence features several short interviews with other members of the party, describing how they became involved in their movement, what they do for a living, and so on. Collin also speaks to the party's appeal to youth, and asserts that the movement is youth oriented. The Mystic Church and Healing Center at 2517 W. 71st Street can be seen in the background. Collin disturbingly urges his followers to hit back and even to "kill the enemy" should they get into any altercations. This is followed by the camera capturing them climb into a van, making their way to the site of their protest, singing racist songs and chants during the entirety of the ride.
The protest is stationed to take place at South Michigan Avenue, in front of the Monroe Building (located at 104 S. Michigan Ave.). There is a small media presence as well as police patrolling the area as Collin speaks through a bullhorn. Slowly, a small counter protest gathers; one man carrying a sign: "Never Again." An older man admonishes the Nazi group to "shut up," only to be escorted by a police officer who quietly asks him to calm down so as not to give the group the publicity they desperately seek.
Towards the end of the film, there is a sobering interview with two young boys - their faces are not shown - who seem to be Collin's acolytes. They spew much of the same hate speech, and post racist flyers throughout the neighborhood.
As the credits roll, the film's final shot is of the party members walking in and out of their headquarters, leaving the premises dressed in their everyday clothes.
This film has been held from streaming due to sensitive content. To learn more, please contact Chicago Film Archives directly.
This is followed by Collin gathering his followers in a residential street near the Marquette Funeral Home to lead a protest in the Downtown area demanding that Rudolf Hess be released from prison in Spandau. They make the remarkable claim that Hess, the former leading Nazi officer, wanted peace, and that he has been unfairly thrown into prison.
The next sequence features several short interviews with other members of the party, describing how they became involved in their movement, what they do for a living, and so on. Collin also speaks to the party's appeal to youth, and asserts that the movement is youth oriented. The Mystic Church and Healing Center at 2517 W. 71st Street can be seen in the background. Collin disturbingly urges his followers to hit back and even to "kill the enemy" should they get into any altercations. This is followed by the camera capturing them climb into a van, making their way to the site of their protest, singing racist songs and chants during the entirety of the ride.
The protest is stationed to take place at South Michigan Avenue, in front of the Monroe Building (located at 104 S. Michigan Ave.). There is a small media presence as well as police patrolling the area as Collin speaks through a bullhorn. Slowly, a small counter protest gathers; one man carrying a sign: "Never Again." An older man admonishes the Nazi group to "shut up," only to be escorted by a police officer who quietly asks him to calm down so as not to give the group the publicity they desperately seek.
Towards the end of the film, there is a sobering interview with two young boys - their faces are not shown - who seem to be Collin's acolytes. They spew much of the same hate speech, and post racist flyers throughout the neighborhood.
As the credits roll, the film's final shot is of the party members walking in and out of their headquarters, leaving the premises dressed in their everyday clothes.
This film has been held from streaming due to sensitive content. To learn more, please contact Chicago Film Archives directly.
Run Time
28 min 40 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
1,030 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Optical
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Reversal Positive Print
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Main Credits
Robert Scott (is director)
Additional Credits
Michael Rabiger (is editor)
Participants And Performers
Collin, Frank (is participant)
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