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Celluloid soldiers

by Michael E. Birdwell · 1999

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During the 1930s many Americans avoided thinking about war erupting in Europe, believing it of little significance to their interests. Yet, the Warner Bros. film studio embarked on a virtual crusade to alert Americans to the growing menace of Nazism. Polis-Jewish immigrants Harry and Jack Warner risked both reputation and fortune to inform the American public of the insidious threat Hitler's regime posed to the world. Through a score of films produced during the 1930s and early 1940sincluding the pivotal Sergeant York - the Warner Bros. studio marshaled its forces to influence the American conscience and push the nation toward intervention in World War II. Celluloid Soldiers offers a compelling historical look at Warner Bros.'s efforts as the only major studio to promote anti-Nazi activity before the outbreak of the second world war.

National socialism and motion picturesWarner Bros. PicturesHistoryMotion pictures, historyWorld war, 1939-1945, motion pictures and the warWar filmsMotion pictures, political aspectsMotion picture industryPublic opinion, united statesAnti-nazi movementMotion pictures, social aspectsHistoire