Film Handout

Sergeant York 1941

Hollywood Declares War: The Pre-war America

Are We at War?

Sergeant York tells the heroic story of World War I Medal of Honor winner, Alvin York, but the themes and messages of the film make it a film about World War II. This film is one of the most influentially films of all-time. It was a call to arms film that clearly defined the reasons and moral justification for American intervention into World War II.

As the Axis powers continued to commit crimes against humanity and endanger American foreign policy, many Americans began to realized that we were on a collision course with the Axis powers, and that we need to start preparing and supporting our allies in the war that was already going strong in Europe and in Asia. Many of these interventionists were filmmakers who tried to bring awareness to the coming threat that the Axis possessed. It was a running joke that Jack and Harry Warner of Warner Brothers studio declared war on Nazis Germany and Japan before America did.

The film clearly illustrates what would become known as the Hollywood propaganda films of World War II. The themes and lessons of this film sets the pattern for which all other Hollywood war effort films are based on. The themes are clearly defined and the message resonates more effectively than with other films.

The film is a masterpiece of cinematography, crackling dialogue and excellent directing and outstanding performance by the actors. It is for these reasons that this film has withstood the test of time, but it was the beautifully crafted argument blended by idealism and patriotism that makes this film a war promotional effort essential. I want you to watch this film because it will give you an illuminating probe into the 1940’s America, their principles, their feelings, and there ideals.

At the 14th Academy Awards, the film won two Oscars:

Best Actor – Gary Cooper Best Film Editing – William Holmes

It was also nominated for:

Outstanding Motion Picture – Warner Bros. (Hal B. Wallis and Jesse L. Lasky Producers)

Best Director – Howard Hawks

Best Writing – Harry Chandlee, Abem Finkel, John Huston, Howard Koch

Best Supporting Actor – Walter Brennan Best Supporting Actress – Margaret Wycherly

Best Art Direction – John Hughes, Fred M. MacLean Best Cinematography Sol Polito

Best Music – Max Steiner Best Sound Recording – Nathan Levinson

Directed by Howard Hawks

Screenplay by Howard Koch, and John Huston. Music by Max Steiner

Gary Cooper Alvin C. York Walter Brennan Pastor Rossier Pile Joan Leslie Gracie Williams

George Tobias "Pusher" Ross Stanley Ridges Major Buxton Margaret Wycherly Mother York Ward Bond Ike Botkin Noah Beery Jr. Buck Lipscomb June Lockhart Rosie York

Questions to consider:

Are we at war?

What themes stood out the most to you and why?

What do those themes tell us about the 1940s?

How does music advance the message of the film?

What is some of the latent content of the scene where York goes up to do some “thinking” up in the hills?

Why is religion and morality such a common theme in this film?

Wake Island 1942

“The Noble Sacrifice”Try and imagine being an average America following December 7th.We are suddenly

brought into a war by a “treacherous” surprise attack that has destroy most of the Pacific Fleet. You have been attacked by an enemy that you know next to nothing about expect the horror stories like the atrocities committed in China. The December 7th sneak attack only confirms to you, and most American your worst fears about the enemy. Chaos rules the day, supported by two emotions of fear, and hate. Rumors are rampant that the Japanese are going to invade the West Coast. Now, I want you to imagine being bombarded by a steady stream of bad news after more bad news, as the Japanese Empire spreads out like a colossus in the Pacific conquering everything in its path. If ever there was a time for an uplifting story the America people need one; Wake Island was that story.

Wake Island became linked to the legend of the Spartans of Thermopylae and the rallying cry of a Pacific Alamo. The story of a small detachment of Marines on a remote island somewhere in the Pacific defeating a Japanese invasion force was just the story the Americans need. Although they were eventually overwhelmed, there story gave Americans hope. This hope was founded by multiple reasons. First, it gave a noble sacrifice story of Americans that had given their lives to buy time for the USA to mobilize and get back in the fight. Second, it boosted morale, and third, it helped suppress the fear of the Japanese by proving that they were not invincible.

The film depicts the harsh reality that the American military was in before the war. The US Military was not capable of waging a major war, they were poorly equipped and horribly undermanned; these were reason that had led to the early defeats in the Pacific. These reasons made a theme that gave the American citizen a moral contract. This moral obligation was that everyone had a job to do to help win this war, “get on board” join the military or work in the defense plant.

This film was very popular, however, it is dated by today’s standards but, I want you to remember one thing fearful people do not want see an accurate depiction of what they fear. For example, I want you to imagine being a mother whose son has going off to war and watching a film with the realism of Saving Private Ryan, let that sink in.

Sensitivity to the American public is why so many of the films of this era are light hearted and not very realistic. There really was a reason behind their depiction.

Directed by John Farrow Written by W. R. Burnett & Frank Butler

Brian Donlevy as Major Geoffrey Caton

Macdonald Carey as Lieutenant Bruce Cameron

Robert Preston as Private Joe Doyle

William Bendix as Private Aloysius K. Randall

Albert Dekker as Shad McClosky

Walter Abel as Commander Roberts

Questions to consider:

Describe the Marines in this film?

What do Marines Aloysius Ranndall and Joe Doyle represent?

Iconic imaginary was a focal point in this film used as silent themes to drive the messages to the audience. Which themes stood out the most to you?

“That’s our job” What does this imply?

Christian overtones and dialogue are very common in this film. Why?

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo 1944

The Navy Holds: The New Era in Naval Warfare

Naval Warfare played a critical role in the Pacific. Due to the vastness of the Pacific, strategies would be forced to comply with the capabilities of the navies to conduct, or sustain any operation. However, at the beginning of the war many naval officers held antiquated beliefs in tactics that would soon be exploited by the rapid advancement in technologic.

We will discuss the details of this in class later, but for the movie I want you to pay attention to how this film illustrates the advantages of aircraft carriers and think about how many traditional concepts of war could be made obsolete by the carrier threat.

This film tells the daring story of the first bombing of Japan, although the raid did not do a lot of damage, it was a great morale boost to the American people. Conversely, it shocked the Japanese into the realization that the US had the wherewithal to carry the battle to their own homeland, and created doubt that maybe they had not beaten the Americans as bad as their leaders had claimed they had.

That’s the story, but there is one more thing I want you to notice. We have watched films in class that have depicted the early message of the Hollywood war effort that reflected the OWI’s (Office of War Information) narrative. See if you notice a change in the overall themes to reflect the public’s current need. See if you can figure out what that need was?

Directed by Melvyn LeRoy Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo

Van Johnson [Lieut.] Ted Lawson Robert Walker David Thatcher Tim Murdock Dean Davenport Don DeFore Charles McClure Gordon McDonald Bob Clever Phyllis Thaxter Ellen Lawson Horace McNally "Doc" White Spencer Tracy Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle John R. Reilly "Shorty" Manch Robert Mitchum Bob Gray

Questions to Consider:

Anybody catch where they are training?

Shorty, “A southern boy form Southern California!” How does this apply to the war effort?

Why is the focal-point of the film on the All-American boy and the girl next door essential to the war effort?

How does this film illustrate the change in naval warfare?

Why does Ted Lawson’s sacrifice illustrate the change in the Hollywood war effort’s themes?

Why is Ellen Lawson’s role one of the most important in the film?

How does this film illustrate the failure of the Japanese Navy at Pearl Harbor?

Salute to the Marines 1943

The Message of Hope: An American AvengerThe Marines of that era were called “Devil Dogs.” If you believed the movies, the typical Marine was a hard-nosed, hard-drinking, two-fisted sort: dependably brave and habitually fearless, leathery tough and endlessly enduring, bawdy, profane, perpetually combative, and profusely tattooed; a social misfit, an outcast by choice and inclination, perfectly suited for war and little else.1 Dean Ladd

This quote illustrates the pre-war Marine Corps image to the American public, a role that is depicted in this film. The pre-war Marine were the type men that parents didn’t wanted their daughters to bring home to dinner. But they were the first choice to go and fight the “evil” Japanese and avenge Pearl Harbor, after all the American public was a little afraid of the Marines themselves. If anyone could beat-up the Japanese and inflict that “justice and terrible revenge” it was the Marines. This era of Marine became known as the “Old Breed” It would be these professional soldiers that would play a vital role in indoctrinating the new volunteers into an elite

1 Ladd, Dean, and Steven Weingartner. Faithful Warriors a Combat Marine Remembers the Pacific War. New York: Naval Institute Press, 2011. P 1

fighting force. Their success on the battlefield made them a perfect choice for the Hollywood war effort to get behind, and reshape the image of the Marine Corps.

This film stars Wallace Beery as the “Old Breed” Marine, who finds himself in the middle of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. This film is total fiction, but it produces a champion that the American people can find hope in. The film is a virtual comedy, this is to put at ease the worried parents and children at home while giving them hope that an American avenger was being trained and would soon be unleashed on the Japanese.

As the film progresses notice the new characters that are replacing the “Old breed.” Pay close attention to this because this will be part of the class discussion.

But remember this film is not designed to be a great film, but to reflect common themes. These films were quickly produced for the audiences and served largely as escapism. These films are often referred to as B for budget films.

S. Sylvan Simon Director

George Bruce Screenwriter

Wallace Beery Sergeant Major William Bailey Fay Bainter Jennie Bailey Reginald Owen Mr. Caspar Keye Luke "Flashy" Logaz Ray Collins Colonel Mason Marilyn Maxwell Helen Bailey William Lundigan Rufus Cleveland Donald Curtis Randall James Noah Beery Sr. Adjutant Dick Curtis Corporal Mosley Russell Gleason Private Hanks Rose Hobart Mrs. Carson

Questions to consider:

What does Marine aviator, Cleveland, represent?

What is the intended audience of this film?

What does a budget film mean?

Why are poorly made, highly fabricated, cheaply made productions great indicators of society?

Why are racial stereotypes a common theme in war production films?

Why is the role of hate such a vital role in the war effort?

Gung Ho 1943

First to Fight and The Great Gamble

Gung Ho starring the tough as nails action hero, Randolph Scott, featured a cast and story that reflected the iconic imagery that was transforming the Marine’s image. The film is based on the true story of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion and the raid on Makin Island. The Marines Raiders were one of the first Special Forces units in American military history and played a vital role in the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Gung Ho was a war promotional dream, the Raiders all possessed the American fighting spirit, which was made evident by their volunteer commitment. The emphasis on the difficulty training affirmed their sacrifice, which in turn served to remind the home front of their social contract to support the war effort. This film perfectly illustrates the mindset of those men that filled up the ranks of the 1st Marine division that would be charged with the first US offensive to seize and hold the island of Guadalcanal.

I want you to pay close attention to the Pearl Harbor scene. This scene demonstrates reasons why the brutality and hatred of the enemy was more heated in the Pacific than in Europe.

The film illustrates some of the key reasons that the Marines won the Battle of Guadalcanal. First, the ability to improvise, and adapt to the situation, second, the superiority of small unit leadership.

This is one of the best “shoot’em ups” that was ever made, so if you like Rambo movies this is the 1940s versing.

Randolph Scott as Col. Thorwald (he is actually suppose to be Col. Carlson.)

Alan Curtis as Pvt. John Harbison

Noah Beery Jr. as Cpl. Kurt Richter

J. Carrol Naish as Lt. C.J. Cristoforos

Sam Levene as Plt Sgt. Victor 'Transport' Magakian

David Bruce as Larry O'Ryan

Richard Lane as Capt. Dunphy

Walter Sande as Gunner McBride

Louis Jean Heydt as Lt. Roland Browning

Robert Mitchum as Pvt. 'Pig-Iron' Matthews

Rod Cameron as Pvt. Rube Tedrow

Grace McDonald as Kathleen Corrigan

Directed by Ray Enright

Screenplay by Lucien Hubbard, Joseph Hoffman

Questions to consider:

What did this tell us about the Guadalcanal Campaign?

How similar was this film to E.B. Sledges, and Robert Leckie’s accounts?

The war in the Pacific was one of the most physically and mentally brutal of all time. What gave the people of this time the courage to fight?

What makes great warriors?

What creates a warrior ethos?

How was hate used as a part of the war effort?

Casablanca 1942

The Hollywood Thesis, the quintessential war promotional effort film.

Casablanca is an Academy Award Winner for best picture of 1943, considered by many film historians as one of the finest films ever made. Since its release in 1942, audiences have been won over by its magnetism. However, as “time goes by” and World War II dimes in the memory of the newer audiences, most viewers today are completely oblivious to the film’s true messages and war effort themes. Most viewers today think of the film as just a romance film and are unaware that the romance represents only the tip of the iceberg, and is really only the latent content of the films themes.

The thesis statement of Casablanca, according to screenwriter Howard Koch, was, “there were values that were worth making sacrifices for.” In this class we have used many of the primary source films made during World War II to help illuminate what the people at the time thought. This is a film made in the 1940s about the 1940s and what their morals, principles, and feelings were about themselves. Most of the themes and events that are discussed or alluded to in the film you should be able to quickly identify from the lectures in this class.

Understand this; Casablanca is a microcosm of events and a portrayal of the ethics that took place both at home and abroad during World War II.

Director Michael Curtiz Screenplay by, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, and Murray Burnett

Humphrey Bogart Rick Blaine Ingrid Bergman Ilsa Lund Paul Henreid Victor Lazlo Claude Rains Louis Renault Conrad Veidt Major Strasser Sydney Greenstreet Ferrari Peter Lorre Ugarte S. Z. Sakall Carl Madeleine LeBeau Yvonne Dooley Wilson Sam Joy Page Annina Brandel John Qualen Berger

Questions to Consider:

The main character is Rick Blaine, but what does he really represent?

What themes stood out?

Many of the characters in this film are microcosms of current events in world history Can you identify the roles?

Rick – “It’s December 1941 in New York I’ll bet they’re asleep in New York, I’ll bet they’re asleep all over America…” What is he really talking about?

Senor Ferrer – “My dear Rick when will you realize in this world today that isolationism is no longer a practical policy?” Are the quotes from Rick and Senor Ferrer connected?

Rick, “You’re a fat hypocrite, you don’t care anymore about Ugarte’s death than I.”

What is he really talking about here?

Capt. Renault - "Because my dear Ricky, I suspect that underneath that cynical shell you are at heart a sentimentalist.” What does this really mean?

Rick: Don't you sometimes wonder if it's worth all this? I mean what you're fighting for.

Victor Laszlo: You might as well question why we breathe. If we stop breathing, we'll die. If we stop fighting our enemies, the world will die.

Rick: Well, what of it? It'll be out of its misery.

Victor Laszlo: You know how you sound, Mr. Blaine? Like a man who's trying to convince himself of something he doesn't believe in his heart.

How many themes are expressed in this exchange?

The Human Comedy 1943

The Home front

This film plays like a “Norman Rockwell” picture, a sentimental reflection of the average American family and life in a small town. This film illustrates the vast differences in cultures from the 1940s to the present, for example, the main character’s (Mickey Rooney) job after school is a telegraph delivery boy. This film also illustrates the role of music in the 1940s, remember, this is before smartphones, TVs, and Pandora; radio was the main form of entertainment in the home. Playing an instrument was far more important for people of this time because it served as a social connection.

The role of religion was a major theme in the war effort films. Notice how often Christian values are used in the film, (this will be a major part of the class discussion). However, in this film I want you to be forewarned that you will probably find this film impossible to take seriously because everyone is so perfect, and all the events are dripping with American idealism. The cynicisms of our culture today makes his film almost unbelievable. However, as we have discussed often these times were very different so don’t be so quick to judge by today’s cultural norms. Don’t be a victim of presentism. Just remember, that in this film all these roles are meant to be high static models to shape America’s cultural norms of the 1940s. Whether you love it, or hate it that is part of the way films were made back then.

Above all notice all the ways in which the people of “Ithaca” support the war effort during this film. There are many similarities in this film to the Frank Capra films that were known for their heartwarming stories of American idealism.

Mickey Rooney as Homer Macauley Frank Morgan as Willie Grogan

James Craig as Tom Spangler Marsha Hunt as Diana Steed

Fay Bainter as Mrs. Macauley Ray Collins as Mr. Macauley

Van Johnson as Marcus Macauley Donna Reed as Bess Macauley

Jack Jenkins as Ulysses Macauley Dorothy Morris as Mary Arena

John Craven as Tobey George Ann Ayars as Mrs. Sandoval

Mary Nash as Miss Hicks Henry O'Neill as Charles Steed

Katharine Alexander as Mrs. Steed Alan Baxter as Brad Stickman

Directed by Clarence Brown

Screenplay by Howard Estabrook Story by William Saroyan

Question to consider:

Why is religion the most common theme of the film?

What part of the war effort stood out the most to you?

How were minorities portrayed in this film?

“And tomorrow we return to the business of war and to the righteous endeavor of destroying the deadly micro that is seeking to destroy the body and spirit.”

What is some of the latent content of soldier “Fat’s from Hungry” imply?

MacArthur 1977

“I Shall Return”General Douglas MacArthur is arguably the most famous general of the Pacific War. However, He was a very polarizing figure, considered by some as God’s gift to war while others considered him a glory seeking fool. While people held their own opinions, most could not deny his military genius. He was intricately involved in the war from the pre-war through the reconstruction of Japan.

He was charged with the defense of the Philippines at the outset of the war. His generalship delayed the Japanese and bought time for the US to mobilize for war. However, when defeat was imminent, President Roosevelt ordered him out of the Philippines. Shortly thereafter he stated arguably the most famous statement of the war, “I Shall Return.”

He was placed in charge of the defense of Australia, and it is here that I want you to pay close attention. MacArthur is faced with a difficult situation and take note of the decisions and strategy that he implements. There is a good illustration of a tactic we have discussed in class that is not called by its name but you should be able to use your powers of observation to figure it out.

MacArthur’s New Guinea Campaign was a masterpiece of generalship. However, notice that the mentioning of a certain all important battle is strangely not even acknowledged!

He Command the Southern Pacific Offensive and would keep his word and return to the Philippines. He was given responsibility for rebuilding Japan after the war. One reason I selected this film is because it will serve as an overview and a refresher of key events. However, I have lectured at great lengths on themes and messages of films and how films will tell you when they were made. Films are a reflection of the time, or of the generation that produced it. See if you can spot the signs of when this film was made, and compare the differences to the war effort films of the 1940s.

Gregory Peck General Douglas MacArthur Ivan Bonar General Sutherland Ward Costello General Marshall Nicolas Coster Colonel Huff Marj Dusay Mrs Jean Macarthur Ed Flanders President Harry S Truman Art Fleming Secretary Sandy Kenyon General Wainwright Robert Mandan Representative Martin Dan O'Herlihy President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Questions to consider:

What did we learn about New Guinea?

Did you like him?

Was it fair to MacArthur, FDR, and Truman?

What themes and messages stood out?

What were some of the differences between this film and the war effort films?

Who was right? Nimitz or MacArthur?

“Greatest General since Sergeant York” what do you think was meant by that statement?

“The things I value never change.” What does this tell us about the man?

First to Fight 1967

John Basilone, or by his boxing name “Manila John”

The Battle of Saipan: The American JuggernautThe Battle of Saipan was one of the most important battles of the Pacific War. The Japanese high command considered that if they lost Saipan they could prepare for eventual defeat. The Japanese were reeling from a series of defeats, in the Southern and Central Pacific. But, these battles were on the outside perimeter of the empire, this was in the inner ring of the Japanese defense plan and was the most strategically located of all Japanese held territory. It was a choke point that the Japanese knew the US would have to strike. Every resource was sent to bolster the defenses of Saipan and the Marianas Islands.

Despite all the efforts to defeat the US, the Marines, and Army, steamrolled the Japanese defense in less than 24 days. It was a crushing defeat, however, it was a predictable conclusion. The Japanese defense failed on every level to properly improvise and adapt to the situation. These shortcomings were only further exploited by the now veteran leadership of the Marines.

The Marines had not only adapted to combat but, were in the process of perfecting their military tactics.

This film features the Battle of Saipan. But you can use your powers of observation to spot key events that happened during the battle. This film also illustrates how the American juggernaut was crushing through the Japanese defense with a feverish haste. See how many of the tactics we have discussed in class you can spot being used in this film.

However, this film is loosely based on Medal of Honor winner John Basilone who was one of the first American war heroes that was pulled out of the war an sent stateside to sell war bonds and live a life of luxury as a war hero. He did not have to go back to war, but, he choose to go back and fight with his boys. This decision would cost him his life at Iwo Jima. However, this film tries to change the message to lecture on the effects of fear and the need for support of the home front. Chad Everett returns to the battlefield but, finds his courage is failing him and it takes a veteran Sergeant, (Hackman) to set him straight.

This film illustrates the Battle of Saipan and the meaning of esprit de corps, and the effects and horrors of war on the human mind. Finally, I want you to consider while watching this film, what are the effects that the support of the home front can have on its soldiers. This will be a major part of the class discussion.

Christian Nyby Director Fred Steiner MusicChad Everett Jack Connell Marilyn Devin Peggy Sanford Dean Jagger Colonel Baseman Bobby Troup Lieutenant Overman Claude Akins Captain Mason Gene Hackman Sergeant Tweed James Best Sergeant Carnavan Norman Alden Sergeant Schmidtmer Bobs Watson Sergeant Maypole

Questions to consider:

Why would Jack Connell want to go back?

What is esprit de corps?

Why is this so important to a warrior elite?

What did we learn about the Battle of Saipan?

What are some of the examples that his film illustrates that the Marines are adapting tactics to be more effective in combat?

Sands of Iwo Jima 1949

Iconic imaginary, the legacy of the Marine Corps: “John Wayne Marine”Sands of Iwo Jima was one of the most successful war films ever made. But, its

subliminal messaging is what gives the film its most lasting impact on American culture. The film depicts the epic Battle of Iwo Jima as told through the eyes of “a Marine rifle squad.”

The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the toughest battles in history, and with this being the first invasion on Japanese’s soil the eyes of the world were on the his battle. On the fifth day of the battle six Marines raised a flag on Mount Suribachi; that imagine would became the most iconic image of all time. The power of the photo was that it captured every emotion that the American people wanted to see and believe. This image conveyed courage at its highest form, of an unconquerable American fighting spirit, and above all, an inevitable victory.

The film simply had to put all of Americans favorite memories and themes into one film. The film strengths was that it was set around the most iconic image, in a story about one of America’s greatest triumphs, while featuring America’s most respected branch of the service, the Marines, and it would star America’s biggest action hero John Wayne. It was no surprise that this film was very popular.

You could watch this film without sound and you could still come away with all the themes and messages of this film. John Wayne’s casting was key because it connected him to the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps to his persona, and both to the iconic image that represented to the American people the courage and sacrifice that had won the Second World War. Very few films have ever illustrated better the legacy of the Marine Corps, and the war in the Pacific.

Directed by Allan Dwan

Written by Harry Brown & James Edward Grant

John Wayne as Sgt. John M. Stryker

John Agar as PFC Peter T. "Pete" Conway

Adele Mara as Allison Bromley

Forrest Tucker as PFC Al J. Thomas

Wally Cassell as PFC Benny A. Regazzi

James Brown as PFC Charlie Bass

Richard Webb as PFC "Handsome" Dan Shipley

Arthur Franz as Corporal Robert C. Dunne/Narrator

Julie Bishop as Mary (the bargirl)

James Holden as PFC "Farmer" Soames

Peter Coe as PFC George Hellenopolis

Richard Jaeckel as PFC Frank Flynn

Questions to consider:

John Wayne’s life represents what?

“This is a story of a Marine rifle squad.” Why is this important?

What did this film tell us about the battle of Iwo Jima and Tarawa?

Why is PFC Conway so different from John Stryker?

What subliminal messaging stood out the most to you?

Objective Burma 1945

“The Forgotten War”The War in Burma, China, and Manchuria is often overlooked because well it wasn’t

very glamorous, it was in an area that no one really knew much about and was fought in areas that were so primitive that not many reporters were able to cover the events. Besides, unlike in the film there were not that many US troops in the China/Burma area. Furthermore, conflict between the Communists and the Nationalists only complicated the situation more.

However, this theater of operations was critical because the massive land area required a large number of Japanese troops to occupy the region. Following the allies’ early defeats a numbers a delaying action were fought. The Allies withdrew further into the “boondocks” which stretch the Japanese thin and aided the Allies in defending the area.

A stalemate occurred that lasted for most of the war, this stalemate was finally broken by the allies. The Japanese were doomed by attrition, starvation, disease, and being militarily out produced by the allies. This film is loosely based on the counter-offensive that retook Burma in late 1944-45.

This film is ahead of its time for multiple reasons, first, note how much effort is placed on realism. Second, notice the effort to bring the psychological effect that war has on those in combat. This is a theme that is not often addressed during the Hollywood war effort and certainly not to the level in which this film portrays it. Third, the barbarity of the enemy is a common theme in war effort films but, is usually overplayed, and not presented in a realistic way, not so

in this film. This film was very popular but, was not without controversy. Burma had been largely a British effort and the British are conspicuously absent in this film. The British were not pleased with this depiction, especially with Warner Brothers “action-hero Errol Flynn playing the lead that garnered criticism like “Errol Flynn practically won the war in Burma alone.” However, the film’s effort for realism in its depiction makes this film ahead of its time.

Errol Flynn as Captain Nelson

James Brown as SSgt. Treacy

William Prince as Lt. Sid Jacobs

George Tobias as Cpl. Gabby Gordon

Henry Hull as Mark Williams (American News correspondent)

Warner Anderson as Col. J. Carter (CO, 503rd Parachute Infantry)

John Alvin as Hogan

Mark Stevens (credited as Stephen Richards) as Lt. Barker

Richard Erdman as Pte. Nabraska Hooper

Directed by Raoul Walsh

Screenplay by Ranald MacDougall, Lester Cole

Questions to consider:

What did we learn about the war in Burma?

Who was not represented?

Japanese brutality, “In cold blood by a people that claim to be civilized.” Is this fair to Japanese soldiers?

How was this film different from other films of the war effort?

What can be observed in this film why the War in Burma and China was not as important militarily?

Pride of the Marines 1945

Coming home and the price of freedom

Pride of the Marines is essential because it covers to key objectives of the OWI. Based on the true story of Al Schmidt, a decorated Marine who heroically helped beat off a Japanese attack at the battle of the Tenaru River on Guadalcanal. Schmidt continued to fight even after both of his machinegun crewmembers had been killed, and even after an explosion wounded him, and blinded him for life. This film features some of the most accurate combat scenes of the war effort films, particularly the scenes inside their fighting position. Which is exactly the way Marines in the defense are instructed to do so even today. The film is also beneficial as a refresher to previously covered events.

However, the film then transitions into a message film on wounded warriors and the problems that they will face coming home. Pride of the Marines effectively hit all the objectives that the American public needed, a personal story of a Marine war hero with more realistic combat sequences that still filled the need for a picture that would heat the blood and prepare the public for the anticipated invasion of Japan. This film tries to give solutions to the coming domestic problems that was creating doubt in the American people on their future after the war.

Remember, the war brought the US out of the great depression however, the war had taken priority over all domestic problems in the US. The reality was that for most of the veterans they had just given up the best years of their lives they did not know if the America they left would be anything close to what they left behind. This film tries to bring a message of hope with a thesis in American idealism.

The role of women is also, updated as well, in many films prior, the role of the women in war effort films was as the faithful lover, or of the courageous patriot, that despite of her tragic loss reminded stoic, and faithful to the ideals for which her lover had died for. But, in this film the woman takes on another role. The women must be strong, and be able to combat the veteran’s

struggles and be willing to assist them physically or mentally. The Hollywood war effort films are trying to address what we would call today posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD.

Delmer Daves Director Albert Maltz Screenwriter Marvin Borowsky Adaptation

John Garfield Al Schmid Eleanor Parker Ruth Hartley Dane Clark Lee Diamond John Ridgely Jim Merchant Rosemary DeCamp Virginia Pfeiffer Ann Doran Ella May Merchant Ann Todd Lucy Merchant Warren Douglas Kebabian Don McGuire Irish

Questions to consider:

What does this film tell us about PTSD?

Is this message relevant to veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan today?

Was it American idealism or economics or just luck that contributed to the post-war boom in America?

What is the significances of the three Marines in the foxhole?

How significant was the role of the faithful women to the war effort?