The Films That Took Us to War (Part 1)

The First Part in an ongoing research series.
George explores the cinematic landscape in America before the Second World War and the efforts by Hollywood to wrangle with America's place in the coming global conflict.
In this Episode we touch on the rise of Hitler and Nazism, the dissolution of the Weimar era studio- UFA, The Hollywood Anti-Nazi League, The Breen Office and the Hayes Code, Earnest Hemingway's documentary on the Spanish Civil War and producer Walter Ranger's Anti-Facist spy thriller "Blockade" starring Henry Fonda.
Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 as we uncover the politics, spy craft, propaganda, and passion that went into rallying the American people to the Allied effort through the power of Cinema.
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/ georgedoll

[@Cinecrisis]

Amazing video, George! Very well researched as always and a captivating spotlight on some very interesting and obscure movies. I learned a lot here, especially about Walter Wanger and about the production code. Now I've got to seek out a bunch of these films and some books on the subject matter to learn more. "Gabriel Over the White House" is now on my list for sure to see just out of morbid curiosity. Keep up the strong work, looking forward to part 2!

[@FilmJournal]

Gabriel Over the White House is really good! Such an interesting look at a style of politics (left wing populism?) that doesn’t really exist anymore- or maybe it does- idk, not in strong man form anyway. And yes- lots of great stuff to watch.

[@diaspo]

Really great analysis - looking forward to part 2!

[@FilmJournal]

Thanks so much!

[@BobbyD262]

Excellent as usual. And very high production value. Where'd you source all the HQ photos?
I took a course on this in college (more literary, but it bled into film as well). I still remember reading and watching THE MORTAL STORM and MANHUNT/ROGUE MALE and SO ENDS OUR NIGHT. It's always interested me to read and watch about the attitudes towards the Nazis from before the war.

[@FilmJournal]

Thanks Bob, as far as HQ photos go- sometimes I scan them in from books, other times I’m scouring the internet for only photos that are high quality, etc.
Would love to learn more about that course and I will be looking up some of those titles- Manhunt and Mortal Storm will be appearing in part 3.
So glad you enjoyed it!

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Really enjoyed this

[@FilmJournal]

Really appreciate that thank you!

[@jamesonstalanthasyu]

Where is part 2? I don't see it listed.

[@FilmJournal]

Nobody watched this one! So I haven’t sunk too much time into part 2, though the script is done

[@snoo333]

Here I thought propaganda was implemented in the 60's. Entertainment and history. thank you

[@FilmJournal]

That’s the whole reason why I did this.

[@snoo333]

@@FilmJournal You are a rebel director. hypnotic in how one gets lost in the material and a familiar voice guiding us to its end. thanks