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John Lennon - Imagine

The 1940's Part.1.The War Years 1940-1945
So many films,so many.I thought I'd describe a few things in here for you and tell you why I included them.The Decade defined film in many ways.It was the end of innocents in America and Film.By the end of the decade the studio system would be dead and with it the glory days of cinema.The first five years of the 1940's saw more people attend movies up until then in this country than ever before.With the nation at war and no end in site people took comfort in the movies.Most of the people in film who took part in the war were changed forever.Many distinguished themselves admirably.The post war 1940's was like another world compared to the war years so the post war 40's will come later.On some of the clips of the real combat footage I added.I felt they were an important part of those years in film.Two are acadamy award winning "With The Marines at Tarawa" Directed by actor Louis Hayward,(Who at the time was in The Marine Corp.(Thought to be too graphic for the public,it could only be released by the president.His advisers did not think it wise.However President Roosevelt did so after talking to Life photographer Robert Sherrod who was there.He said the soldiers want the people to know the truth.Tell them the truth,that we don't knock the hell out of them every day of every battle.The film shocked the public into a reality that forever changed the innocent way of life that the late 30's and early 40's seemed to hold.The other acadamy award winner is "The Battle of Midway" by John Ford.Ford was there as the attack happened.He was caught of guard and only had his 8mm to film.It was the biggest turning point of the war and he captured it live.The other two "The Battle of San Pietro"directed by John Huston and his crew.Was about a battle for a town outside of Napels.Putting his life on the line along with his crew Huston captures the horror of war with great effect.Like the others it showed a reality that many wanted kept from public viewing.They also feared it would be bad for recruits and their moral.Officers tried keeping it from being seen.The army became angry with Huston because they viewed it as anti-war.Huston said if he ever made a Pro-war film he should be shot.The film was screened for troops in North Africa in 1944.Author John Horne Burns describe it in a letter as "Almost more than any heart can stand".For it Huston Was forgiven by the army and Promoted to Major.The film was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.The last was probably the most famous,William Wylers "The Memphis Belle".The film focused on one air crew,but was shot by Wyler in three different B-17's.He put his life on the line flying 7 missions in total.The film recieved no awards but it was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry and Library of Congress.The music is Ravel's "Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte".

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