Frank Capra often stood alone. He was an underdog. He had no choice. He was, however, also a teacher of high ideals and human worth, and connected with his audience in ways the more cynical were always surprised at and maybe a little jealous. Born in 1897 in the Sicilian town of Palermo, Italy, Capra … Continue reading During World War Two: Frank Capra
During World War Two: William Wyler
William Wyler was born Willi Wyler on July 1, 1902 in Mülhausen in the Alsace-Lorraine region of what used to be Germany and is now France. He was initially not supposed to work in movies, as his apparent destiny was to inherit his father's haberdashery business. His training included college in Paris and a job … Continue reading During World War Two: William Wyler
During World War Two: John Ford
John Martin Feeney seemed born ready for a fight. He didn't start out wanting to direct films but to join the United States Navy, and upon graduation from Portland High School in Maine he applied to the Naval Academy. When Feeney was rejected, he went to Hollywood and worked as an apprentice to his older … Continue reading During World War Two: John Ford
Service With A Smile
Well, hello, Mr. Kaye... It's no secret that during the Second World War the public were to never quite forget the current situation, and movies that promoted everyone getting in on the fight were especially welcome by the Office of War Information, but I have to wonder how prepared they were for 1944's Up In … Continue reading Service With A Smile
During World War Two: George Stevens
For the next five months, we're going to do a series within a series, because one big aspect of Hollywood's response to the Second World War is all the major and not so major industry professionals who went into uniform. Four of Hollywood's top directors served in the Army and one in the Navy, and … Continue reading During World War Two: George Stevens
During World War Two: It’s An Expat Thing
Hollywood was rife with actors, directors, writers, and others who had fled Europe when Hitler came to power and who still had relatives living under Hitler's thumb. Those who stayed behind, especially if they were Jewish, were subjected to the same treatment as anyone else, often dying by execution, in prison or in death camps … Continue reading During World War Two: It’s An Expat Thing
Anywhere I Hang My Hat
Us Americans have always been famous for adapting to our surroundings but some things are a little beyond the pale. Like squatting. Obviously, it's usually not nice. Obviously, it's illegal depending on where the squatting happens. In California and other states, for instance, it's what's called a wobbler, which means a squatter can be charged … Continue reading Anywhere I Hang My Hat
During World War Two: Any Bonds Today?
We all know that during the war bond sales were huge. Reminders to buy war bonds were literally everywhere from magazines to ads to the ending credits of movies to billboards. My hometown paper used the words, "Buy War Bonds" so often that it was practically a design element. Anything that could carry text was … Continue reading During World War Two: Any Bonds Today?
The Right To Escape
Here we go... 1963's The Great Escape is quite the iconic film, parodied and tributed so many times in so many ways (remember this one?). Steve McQueen dominates the proceedings, ably supported by fellow icons Charles Bronson, James Coburn, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, along with the wonderful David McCallum, best known today as Duckie. Our … Continue reading The Right To Escape
During World War Two: Dueling Canteens
It can't be denied that Hollywood, and for that matter, Broadway, were in an unique position to help the troops during the war. Support for the war effort was overwhelming in these industries, especially once the last holdouts stopped tiptoeing around the Nazis and the other Axis powers. Not to mention, seventy-nine percent of Americans … Continue reading During World War Two: Dueling Canteens
During World War Two: The Pacific Theater (Part Two)
When we last left off, America had temporarily pulled out of the Philippines as the last holdouts, Bataan and Corregidor fell to the Japanese, putting thousands of American and Filipino troops and civilians in the hands of enemy forces. Those who weren't murdered were herded into camps, where they faced extremely harsh conditions, and even … Continue reading During World War Two: The Pacific Theater (Part Two)
During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Between 1941 and 1942 America's military went from approximately 1.8 million to almost four million, and by the end of the war around twelve million Americans were in the Armed Forces. The popular myth about the United States in the period immediately following Pearl Harbor is that recruitment offices were jammed with volunteers, but according … Continue reading During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
During World War II: There’s A War On, You Know
And we must wipe out completely for the duration of the war the idea of business as usual. --Elliot Fulton, played by Edward Arnold, The War Against Mrs. Hadley (MGM,1942) This one sentence sums up the mission of the Office of War Information, or OWI, which was established on June 13, 1942. It's putting it mildly that … Continue reading During World War II: There’s A War On, You Know
With the Crew of the “Memphis Belle”
As we all know, a big part of the Second World War was each side bombing the other for various purposes. Britain and the United States tagteamed their bombing of German war production sites; the Brits went at night, but the Americans chose to drop their bombs during the daytime. Both actions were risky, but … Continue reading With the Crew of the “Memphis Belle”
During World War Two: With A Little Help From My Friends
After Britain and Germany declared war in 1939, there were roughly two years in which America, for all intents and purposes, laid low. Sort of. Not really. The first Neutrality Act was signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on August 31, 1935, and it would be renewed several times over the next few years. The Act … Continue reading During World War Two: With A Little Help From My Friends
During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
Hollywood had a little appeasement issue early in the Second World War; namely, they avoided a certain four-letter word starting with "N" and ending in "I." It was no secret what the Nazis and their friends were up to. Everyone knew they were committing atrocities against the Jewish people and anyone else who went against … Continue reading During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
During World War Two: Serious Days
Well, folks, we're happy to be back with you again, and on behalf of the Johnson Wax people and our cast, may we say that we're not unconscious of the fact that these are serious days. --Jim Jordan of the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show, September 5, 1939. On September first, Britain declared war … Continue reading During World War Two: Serious Days
Taking Up Room 