World War II at the Movies

Volume I

Virginia Lyman Lucas

• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781643503172
• eBook ISBN: 9781643503189
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: World War II
• Index: History

This tribute to all men and women who serve their country and in particular those who sacrificed bringing about victory over tyranny in WWII, World War II at the Movies contains forty-eight movie commentaries depicting WWII major events, both in Europe and the South Pacific. In addition to reading about WWII major events in chronological order, you'll find outwhat major movie star who made more than thirty-five Hollywood Westerns was the most decorated soldier of World War II in To Hell and Backwhat famous film star from the '30s and '40s who stars in Command Decision was himself a fighter pilot who flew five combat missions, including one to Germany, as an observer gunner in B-17 Flying Fortresses and left the Army Air Forces with rank of majorwhat former US senator was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up of Japanese Americans who fought for their country even while battling prejudice as told in Go for Broke!what ethnic group developed an uncrackable military code based on their language and took part in every assault the US Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu, and Iwo Jima

When World War II Broke Out

When World War II broke out,

our army ranked seventeenth in the world.

We ranked somewhere between

Portugal, Paraguay, and Greece.

We were still using equipment

from World War I.

For every GI who went overseas,

seven tons of stuff had to go along—

tanks, guns, jeeps, food, and medical supplies;

and it had to be processed.

WESTERN THEATER

1933

The Mortal Storm

(made in 1940)

Direction:	Frank Borzage	Novel:	Phyllis Bottome
Musical score:	Edward Kane	Screenplay:	Claudine West
			Andersen Ellis
			George Froeschel

=================================================================

Adolf Hitler is appointed chancellor of Germany,
leading to the rise of the Nazi Party.

On January 30, 1933, in a small university town at the foot of the Alps in southern Germany, Prof. Viktor Roth (played by Frank Morgan) is celebrating his sixtieth birthday. In the morning, he receives an abundance of cards and packages in the mail and is given presents by his two stepsons in college, Otto (played by Robert Stack) and Erich (played by William T. Orr).

In class at the university, Professor Roth’s students demonstrate their admiration and affection as two representatives of “every man and girl in the class” present him with a statue of a torchbearer. Student Fritz Marberg (played by Robert Young) is in love with the professor’s daughter, Freya (played by Margaret Sullavan), and family friend Martin Breitner (played by James Stewart).

Later that evening, Martin and Fritz join the Roth family at a birthday dinner celebration. Fritz announces to the family his engagement to the professor’s daughter, Freya. Over birthday cake and wine, they are all as united in happiness as they will soon become divided in conflict, when the maid comes in to announce that Adolf Hitler has been appointed chancellor of Germany. Immediately, Fritz and the professor’s two stepsons, Otto and Erich, are ecstatic over the news, now convinced that Germany will take its place of power again in the world. Martin, as a farmer and a freethinker, is tolerant of people’s differences and does not subscribe to their politics. The schism that arises in the family and in the town, because of the professor’s Jewish heritage, escalates into brutality and is a precursor to what will play out on the world battlefields.

Martin’s mother is played by Maria Ouspenskaya. There is a scene in which she and Freya are being interrogated by the Nazis. Her wonderful character-actress face is as stern and hard in determination not to tell them anything, as the mountains on which they live.

Hitler banned this movie in occupied Europe, and the German ambassador asked Louis B. Mayer to “think twice” about releasing it.

1938

The Young Lions

(made in 1958)

Direction:

Edward Dmy...

Table of contents

• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13