During the Second World War, over 300 Hollywood motion pictures were produced that, in one way or another, bore the propaganda imprimatur. These popular movies -- and they consistently glorified the achievements of the American fighting man while vilifying all the members of the Axis pact -- and fostered morale on the Home Front and stood as tangible reminders that Old Glory, mom, apple pie, and the St. Louis Browns would emerge victorious from this global conflict. But how successful was Hollywood's effort? Citing numerous examples of flag-waving dialogue, Professor Fyne has produced an in-depth study that examines these WWII movies, analyzing many motifs, stereotypes, fiction-as-fact, distortions, and prevarications that permeate this genre. His book lists the ten best titles of the war and discusses such topics as the World War I influence, the different approaches toward the Italian, German, and Japanese military machines, the glorification of the Soviet forces, the image of the Chinese nationals, the light-hearted B-comedies, musicals, and Westerns, plus the American GI's inner frustration with his fabricated photoplay image. For historians, film watchers, or social commentators, this book, complete with elaborate filmography, offers important information about Hollywood's role in shaping the Home Front mores.

The little-explored story of how politics, propaganda, and profits were combined to create the drama, imagery and fantasy that was American film during World War II. 32 black-and-white photographs.

Frequently referred to as “the Greatest Generation,” Americans of the World War II era were influenced by Hollywood’s depictions of their nation, its role in world affairs, and the virtue of its involvement in the war. Stories of the bravery and heroism of the American military—as well as the moral and political threat posed by the enemy—filled movie screens across the country to garner passionate support for wartime policies. In Hollywood Enlists! Propaganda Films of World War II, Ralph Donald explores how the studios supported the war effort and helped shape the attitudes of an entire generation. Through films the studios appealed to the public’s sense of nationalism, demonized the enemy, and stressed that wartime sacrifices would result in triumph. The author contends that American films of the period used sophisticated, but often overlooked, strategies of propaganda to ideologically unite the country. While these strategies have long been associated with political speeches and writings during the war, little in-depth consideration has been given to their use in the era’s cinema. By examining major motion pictures—including Casablanca, The Flying Tigers, Mrs. Miniver, Sergeant York, They Were Expendable, and many others—Donald illustrates how various propaganda techniques aligned the nation’s entertainment with government aims. Hollywood Enlists! will appeal to readers with interests in war films and motion picture history, as well as politics and social history.

This book explores how the Hollywood studios used sophisticated strategies of propaganda to ideologically unite the country during WWII. Through such films as Casablanca, They Were Expendable, and others, the studios appealed to the public s sense of nationalism, demonized the enemy, and stressed that wartime sacrifices would result in triumph."

Topics include: the influence of Leni Riefenstahl; negro soldiers; depicting Vietnam in films. Films examined include: Sergeant York, Air force, Saving Private Ryan, The thin red line.

"By focusing on the medium of radio during World War II, Horten has provided us with a window into an important change in radio broadcasting that has previously been ignored by historians. The depth of research, the book's contribution to our understanding of radio and the war make Radio Goes to War an outstanding work."—Lary May, author of The Big Tomorrow: Hollywood and the Politics of the American Way "Radio broadcasting, and its impact on American life, still remains a neglected area of our national history. Radio Goes to War demonstrates conclusively how short-sighted that omission is. As we enter what is sure to be another era of contested claims of government control over freedom of speech, the controversies and compromises of wartime broadcasting sixty years ago provide an ominous example of difficult decisions to be made in the future. The alliance of big business, advertising, and wartime propaganda that Horten so convincingly illuminates takes on a heightened significance, especially as this relationship has tightened in the last several decades. When radio and television go to war again, will they follow the same course? This is cautionary reading for our new century."—Michele Hilmes, author of Radio Voices: American Broadcasting 1922-1952