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They Also Serve (1940)
 

Synopsis

Warning: screenonline full synopses contain 'spoilers' which give away key plot points. Don't read on if you don't want to know the ending!

A woman reads to an evacuee child, and a young man in the Army unwraps a parcel from home. At 7.30am, a mother brings her daughter tea in bed, and makes breakfast as Father returns from his night shift. Father goes up to bed, complaining of backache, and Mother makes her daughter a packed lunch before going up to rub Father's back. A neighbour calls on her way to work and leaves her washing to be taken to the laundry.

Mother plans her day's jobs: cleaning, making beds, mending the black-out, shopping etc. Returning from shopping, she collects a telegram for a neighbour, opening it in case it is urgent. The neighbour's husband is returning on leave, so she offers to take some food round.

Mother picks vegetables from the garden while Father relaxes, then takes round the promised food. She talks to Father about their son in the army. At night, Father sets off to work and Mother locks up. The final message: "Housewives of Britain, Thank-you for Your Courage and Your Help."