Hollywood In Wwii
...had plenty to say -- and do -- about it. With the war in Iraq practically over and Hollywood liberals making themselves scarce, it's time to put Hollywood and war in perspective.
Take Jimmy Stewart. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Stewart became the first Hollywood star to enlist, talking his way into the Air Force after being refused based on his weight (too thin). Stewart flew 20 combat missions, commanded a squadron, became a colonel and earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven battle stars. After the war, Stewart continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve. He became the highest-ranking entertainer in the American military: brigadier general. Stewart had company. At age 41, Clark Gable enlisted as a low-ranking private in the Army Air Corps. Gable's wife, actress Carole Lombard, had died in a plane crash while selling war bonds --- after she had raised $2.5 million. For Gable's efforts, which included bombing missions and spying on Nazis, he was targeted for assassination by the Third Reich.
Hollywood stars who supported the war --- not just "the troops" --- included James Cagney. Cagney transformed the most decorated combat soldier of World War II Audie Murphy into a star. Cagney was so moved by Murphy's war record -- Murphy killed more than 240 Nazis during his service as a soldier -- that he brought Murphy to Hollywood, where Murphy became a movie star (Red Badge of Courage, To Hell and Back).
Other patriots of the motion picture industry included Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, director John Ford, who proudly made war propaganda movies and was even wounded on ship during the Battle of Midway, and Leslie Howard, who played Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind. Howard returned to his native England to defend Britain. He died when his plane was shot down by the Nazis.
German born actress Marlene Dietrich renounced Germany...
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