The FReeper Foxhole Remembers When Hollywood Went to War (1942-1945) - Apr. 15th, 2003

E Online ^ | April 2, 2003 | Tom Johnson

[SAMWolf]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

.

FReepers from the USO Canteen, The Foxhole, and The Poetry Branch
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

.

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Patriots, Pacifists and Pinups:
Once Upon a Time, Tinseltown Marched Lockstep into Battle

When Michael Moore delivered his now infamous anti-war, anti-Bush proclamation from the Oscars podium, it was difficult to discern the cheers from the jeers. Hollywood, like much of the nation, is divided over the war in Iraq.

But in 1942, it was a different time.

Clark Gable on far right

The Second World War, perhaps more than at any other time in the country's history, found Americans in perfect agreement about a war: This was a black-and-white battle between good and evil. For those who weren't sure that Hitler and his Axis minions were a problem for this country, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor convinced them. The fight was on.

And like the rest of the country, Hollywood pitched in. Stars and the rest of the Hollywood community raised money or joined the service or entertained the troops. Though known as a place of big egos and massive self-involvement, the whole of the Industry seemed to be focused on one goal: Help beat the Nazis and their Fascist buddies by doing whatever you could. And as you'll see, Hollywood could do plenty.


French officer presents Col. Jimmy Stewart with the Corps de Guerre with palm for valor in battle.

Still, real life isn't like a movie. Like millions across the theaters of war, some lost their lives. Others fought against the countries of their birth. Some even found themselves ostracized for holding unpopular beliefs.

It was a different time, indeed.

Bonds Away!


Gov. Dwight Griswold presents Abbott and Costello with an ear of corn as a memento of their trip to Nebraska to help sell war bonds.

In one of the first acts of support, the likes of Mickey Rooney, James Cagney, Harpo Marx, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland crisscrossed the nation selling war bonds, raising millions of dollars for the war effort. It was during one such drive that the beautiful screwball comedian Carole Lombard, wife of Clark Gable, died in a plane crash. Lombard, who had just raised $2.5 million for the cause, had also starred in an anti-Nazi film, the hilarious To Be or Not to Be, with Jack Benny. When she died, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt eulogized her, saying, "She gave unselfishly of time and talent to serve her government in peace and war."

Sorry, Charlie



During the First World War, Charlie Chaplin, at the height of his fame as the Little Tramp, helped raise millions selling war bonds to support U.S. and British troops. But perhaps his more lasting wartime achievement--or at least best remembered one--is a film that spoofed the rise of Adolf Hitler (who was rumored to have patterned his own Tramp-like mustache after Chaplin). In The Great Dictator, released in 1940, Chaplin returns the favor, ranting and raving as psychotic leader Adenoid Hynkel, as well as playing another role as a gentle Jewish barber who gets mistaken for the crazed tyrant. The film was not a huge success, and Chaplin later said had he known the magnitude of Hitler's crimes he wouldn't have joked about them.

Treasured Chests

In another time, perhaps Pamela Anderson might have gotten this honor. But during World War II, the inflatable yellow life vests used by American and British pilots were nicknamed Mae Wests, in honor of the chesty comedienne. The vest, which used inflation hoses, straps and cylinders of CO2 to puff up into flotation devices, saved many pilots who had to bail out over water.

Rearview Miracle



What better way to console homesick GIs than with pictures of pretty women? (Okay, there are other ways, but we aren't going to talk about those...) Betty Grable probably wasn't the biggest star in Hollywood, but she was easily the most popular pinup girl of WWII. Her rearview swimsuit shot, in which she smiled invitingly over her shoulder for the benefit of the fighting men, was tacked up on barracks walls in war zones all over the world. Beauties like Rita Hayworth and Alice Faye could only come in a distant second in the battle to make GI hearts thump the loudest.

Big Band of Brothers


Glenn Miller

The entertainment community has sometimes found novel ways to support the current military effort. Two of the most popular musicians of the World War II era--big band leaders Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw--joined the service and led bands, while many other artists recorded V-Discs, recordings made especially for the troops. So in demand were they that Miller's band played 800 performances in a single year. He died in 1944, when his plane went down over the English Channel. No trace of the plane or Miller was ever found.

Murphy's Raw


Audie Murphy

An underage, undersize, baby-faced farm boy with only five years of schooling, Audie Murphy became the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II, winning every citation for bravery the U.S. had to offer, including the Congressional Medal of Honor. Spending more than a year on the front lines in Europe, Murphy was credited with killing more than 240 German soldiers and capturing many others. His appearance in Life magazine attracted the attention of James Cagney, who brought the soldier out to Hollywood. Murphy starred in a series of B westerns and The Red Badge of Courage (where it was claimed he had trouble playing his character's moments of cowardice) and played himself in the autobiographical film To Hell and Back. A humble man who suffered from a gambling problem and post-traumatic stress disorder in the years after the war, Murphy died in a plane crash in 1971.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Great thread!! Thanks guys and gals!! I didn't know this about Carole Lombard:

"It was during one such drive that the beautiful screwball comedian Carole Lombard, wife of Clark Gable, died in a plane crash. Lombard, who had just raised $2.5 million for the cause, had also starred in an anti-Nazi film, the hilarious To Be or Not to Be, with Jack Benny. When she died, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt eulogized her, saying, "She gave unselfishly of time and talent to serve her government in peace and war."

I didn't know John Wayne tried to enlist THREE times!!

There were a lot of things I didn't know until I read this post. It was extremely interesting and informative.

FUN READ..and a reminder of when Hollywood MEN were REAL MEN, and the WOMEN WERE REAL WOMEN!!!

Again.. THANKS!!! & a BUMP TO THE TOP!!

FRegards, Vets

[Pippin]

Thanks, Jen!

I was having one of those moments, but now I'm feeling better and more myself.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks. It's just amazing how Hollywood could have changed so much in such a short time.

[SAMWolf]

WAnye Newton is head of the USO today and I hear he's very active in supporting the troops but nothing like the Shows Bob Hope put on.

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News
Welcome Home USS BOISE
Well Done

Cmdr. James M. Kuzma, top center, stands atop the conning tower and watches his crew as his boat, the USS Boise, a nuclear powered submarine which is based at the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va, is maneuvered into it's berth by tug boats after returning home, Tuesday, April 15, 2003. The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine was the first among several other Norfolk-based submarines to return to Norfolk Naval Station from the war. (AP Photo/Gary C. Knapp)


Samantha Garver, left, 10, and her sister, Hannah Garver, right, 8, huddle under a blanket, Tuesday, April 15, 2003, as they wait and watch for the USS Boise to bring their father, Petty Officer Ist Class, David Garver, home at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. The submarine USS Boise and its crew of 138 sailors returned Tuesday from the war in Iraq (news - web sites), less than a week after the first Navy ship returned from war duty. (AP Photo/Gary C. Knapp)

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Yeah.. hard to figure out what happened, other than the men AND WOMEN in "present day" Hollywood became more cowardly and less principled.

I miss Jimmy Stewart, and John Wayne, and seeing Bob Hope out there with the troops. Gosh so many patriots from Hollywood are gone now. Men and women who did everything in their power to support our country.

Sad really. Got to have hope that we will again have a Hollywood that represents the BEST of America!!

Thanks again, Vets

[ex-snook]

Thanks for ping. I went to a USO in NYC on leave in 1944 before heading for Europe. Hollywood did well.

[SAMWolf]

Yeah all my chidhood movie stars are gone and there are very few people to replace them.

[SAMWolf]

Hi Ex-snook. Gotta have some good memories of Hollywood from back then.

[Mudboy Slim]

Fallin' in, AJ...

"What's the Truth?!"
(To be sung to Johnny Cash's "What is Truth?")

Rush Limbaugh's talkin' on the Rad-ee-oh...
Sayin', "Where did our sense of Justice go?
Slick sure seems to be inventin' new ways...
Of keepin' the Truth from gettin' airplay!!"
Said, "They're crooks, you see, and their motives're Vile!!"
Still, the Medyuh says, "Bill's OUR Flower Child!!"
Country, can't you see thru these Lyin' Boys?
We gotta FIGHT to be heard o'er their LeftWing Noise!!
While the Lonely Voice of Youth cries..."What's the Truth?!"

My little boy of five, playin' in the yard,
Looks up and says, "Daddy, who's Ken Starr?" [yeah, it's an old song, circa 4/99...I'll fix it.]
"Son, he's trackin' bad men who Cheat and Lie!!"
Little man of five says, "Slick Ain't Right!!"
Young men of seventeen killin' kids at school,
As Courts outlaw the Golden Rule...
No prayer in school, teachers puttin' Faith down,
While Slick Willie jokes, "Let's pass a Joint aroun'!"
Can you blame the Voice of Youth fer askin' "What's the Truth?!"

EX-Prez'dent's sittin' on the Witness Stand,
The man with the Book says, "Raise yer hand...
Repeat after me, 'I solemnly swear...' "
Yet the Nation said, "We just don't care."
'Cuz although Clinton solemnly swore,
Nobody really trusted Slick no more.
Culture's got so sleazy that America's unaware...
That EX-Prez'dent sold China missiles that're aimed at Bel Air!!
Still the RightWing's called uncouth fer askin', "What's the Truth?!"

Young girl internin' with the White House Sleaze...
Doin' Bill's job while on her knees!!
FReepers protest in the Public Square,
While fightin' 'gainst this Lib'ral Nightmare!!
Yeah, these young'uns that yer callin' "WILD"...
Are gonna be yer Leaders in a little while!!
The Whole World's Wakin' to FReedom today,
And I solemnly swear that it'll be OUR way!!
We gotta help our Voiceless Youth find, "What is True?!"
'Cuz the future needs more Youth askin', "What's the Truth?!!"

A little Johnny Cash never hurt anyone...MUD

[Jen]

I learned a lot too about some 'real' Hollywood heroes. SAMWolf does a great job each day, but today's thread is especially good, I think.

[Jen]

Glad you're feeling better Pip.

[Jen]

MUD, you're the best. Love your song lyrics. I even like the "Man in Black" just a little. ;-)

[xJones]

Those were the days.

Strangely enough, she had no such concerns in 1996, when she was entertaining U.S. troops sent to war in Bosnia by former President Bill Clinton. Back then, she “felt extremely patriotic.” Today, her website is selling a $12 tee-shirt that reads: “I don’t believe in your war, Mr. Bush!”

That's the root of it all, imho. They mindlessly hate Bush and Republicans in general.

I don't know if you've seen this link, but if you want some patriotic music go here and start out with Cagney's "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" and go to Patton's theme. click.

[Mudboy Slim]

Muchas gracias, mi amiga...Right's Winning!! Ain't it wonderful?!

FReegards...MUD

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Agreed.. thanks for the PING! We read everything we can that he posts.

[Jen]

Yes, yes, yes it is wonderful! The Left is imploding, as it should be!!! hahahaha

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the link, looks like some good tunes there. LOve Patton's theme.

[Pippin]

;^)

Just Peachy!

[Mudboy Slim]

"CURRENT COMMUNIST GOALS:
1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. [The DemonRATS and the RINOS!!]
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

FWIW...perhaps America needs to RE-ESTABLISH the House Committee on Un-American Activities!!

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use ["]united force["] to solve economic, political or social problems.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike."

The Commie DemonRATS have accomplished much of their Agenda but America is striking back with a vengenace now...that's why the RATS and the FrenchSurrenderists and the NaziKrauts are worried...MUD