Hands

A commercial for the Works Progress Administration features close-up shots of hands engaged in various activities. The hands are shown working, playing, praying, whittling, and strumming. They operate tools such as saws and hammers, lift stones, and turn wheels. The hands also write, type, apply a bandage, play a violin, use a compass, and hold a U.S. Treasury note. Additional scenes depict hands putting a shoe on a customer, shaking a thermometer, and counting out bills and coins into other waiting hands. A hand places an engagement ring on a finger, buys a movie ticket, and reels in a fishing line. Several images are repeated from earlier in the commercial. A chicken is basted, and other chickens receive grain. The overall tone suggests a national celebration.