Posted on 05/30/2004 4:15:31 AM PDT by ken5050
If you happen to turn your TV set on at any time this Memorial Day weekend, there's a strong probability you'll come across a World War II war movie..... the classic Hollywood genre. There are many of them, and, happily a lot of very good ones. So, on this weekend of remembrance, and the dedication of the WW II memorial, what's your favorite, or favorites, and why?
Big Joe: What are you doing?
Oddball: I'm drinking wine and eating cheese, and catching some rays, you know..
.
All great choices.
Lee Marvin in the BIG RED ONE.
As for Sgt. York, his great grandson was in my infantry fire team back in "86." No one in basic training recognized his name, not even the NCO/Officers. York told me that I was the first one to ask him if he was related to Sgt. York of WWI! This was also about the time the anti-aircraft gun was being field tested which was called the SGT. YORK.
To Hell and Back, 1955. Audie Murphy, Marshall Thompson, Charles Drake, Jack Kelly, etc, etc.
Run Silent Run Deep, 1958. Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jack Warden, Brad Dexter1, Don Rickles, etc, etc.
The Enemy Below, 1957. Robert Mitchum, Curd Jürgens, David Hedison, etc.
Halls of Montezuma, 1951. Richard Widmark, Jack Palance, Robert Wagner, Karl Malden, Neville Brand, etc.
Wake Island, 19422. Brian Donlevy, Robert Preston, Macdonald Carey, William Bendix, Rod Cameron, etc.
Torpedo Run, 1952. Glenn Ford3, Ernest Borgnine, Dean Jones, etc.
And NATURALLY --- Patton 1970, Sands of Iwo Jima 1949, The Longest Day 1962, and Midway 1976
1 - Brad Dexter is the '7th' in the Magnificent Seven, who nobody can never name.
2 - Although released in 1942, when Wake Island was being filmed nobody knew - or expected that there actually were or would be survivors as the japs were infamous for killing POWS. Therefore, in the movie everyone gets killed.
3 - Glenn Ford was at one time the 'fastest draw' in the USA. He won a quite a few quick draw contests and really knew how to ride a horse.
Another Curt Jurgens great one!
"Run Silent, Run Deep"
Don't know how could have forgotten that one. One of my all time favorites.
Destination: Tokyo
This is the Army
not a 'movie' per se but Band of Brothers is the all time BEST WWII series.
honorable mention: Das Boot.
While "The Longest Day", "Patton", "Midway", "Tora, Tora Tora" are great, so is "The Great Escape", "A Walk In The Sun" and a dozen others.....I respect the whole affair........
"Lee Marvin in the BIG RED ONE"
Just watched that recently and don't know how I coulod have forgotten it. One of the few post 1960's movies about WW2 worth watching again.
oops, me bad ... just double checked, Curt wasn't in that one.
Now I have 6 - great movie...
They wanted to, and they did a good job of it....
I thought it was movies about WWII made during or a little after WWII but here it goes: The Stagedoor Canteen, it had multiple stars in it and it was about entertaining the troops on leave. TORA TORA TORA beat the hell out of Pearl Harbor(the movie with Ben Afleck in it) For the Boys-with Bette Midler and James Caan. Of course, Enemy at the Gate and Saving Private Ryan are great new films to come a long. I liked these films because they showed this country in unity and it's something we dearly need right now.
Best Years of Our Lives; Bridge on the River Kwai; The More the Merrier; Hail the Conquering Hero.
"BUY WAR BONDS NOW
Carole Lombard(Clark Gable's wife) died in a plane crash while she was going nationwide selling war bonds.
Yep, sure is.
It breaks my old heart every time I see that damned diaper commercial. ;o)
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