Hollywood Goes to War (29 Jan. 1980)

Hollywood and its stars support the War effort with propaganda and patriotic films and war bond tours.

Directors:

Kevin Brownlow, David Gill

Writers:

Kevin Brownlow, David Gill

Stars:

James Mason, Karl Brown, Agnes de Mille

Cast

Episode credited cast:
James Mason	...	Himself / Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Karl Brown	...	Himself
Agnes de Mille	...	Herself
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Himself
Valerie Germonprez	...	Herself (as Valerie von Stroheim)
Lillian Gish	...	Herself
Jesse Lasky Jr.	...	Himself (as Jesse L. Lasky Jr.)
Anita Loos	...	Herself
Lewis Milestone	...	Himself
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers	...	Himself (as Charles Buddy Rogers)
Blanche Sweet	...	Herself
King Vidor	...	Himself
Raoul Walsh	...	Himself (archive footage)
William A. Wellman	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

Hollywood and its stars support the War effort with propaganda and patriotic films and war bond tours.

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Plot Keywords:

war bonds | propaganda | hollywood | film director | gas warfare | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 1980 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The archive footage of Raoul Walsh and William A. Wellman is from the 1973 series "The Men Who Made the Movies."

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Connections

Features Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916)

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Soundtracks

" I Didn't Bring My Boy Up To Be a Soldier"
(uncredited)
Music by Al Piantadosi
Lyrics by Alfred Bryan
Heard as background music to World War I montage

User Reviews

Hollywood Episode 4

Hollywood: Hollywood Goes to War (1980)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Episode four in the now legendary documentary series takes a look at how Hollywood changed once WW1 began and what impact this would have through the silent era and what eventual downfall it would have at the box office before getting a kick start with THE BIG PARADE. The film starts off with some early examples including CIVILIZATION and then onto Griffith's INTOLERANCE, which is called a box office dud here even though some figures argue against that. When then head towards the war as stars like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford helped sell war bonds while Griffith was allowed overseas to film HEARTS OF THE WORLD on the front lines. Once again those unfamiliar with the silent era and all it has to offer are going to be in for a real treat as pretty much everything is discussed and shown here. I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed with the quality of not only the clips shown but the way they are presented. I found it quite fascinating to see how the country changed by the time we entered the war and by the time it was winding down. I thought the documentary gave a very clear look at how Hollywood tries to capture the spirits, energy and horrors of the war but at the same time making sure people would continue to come and not be worn down by the images they might see. The post war talk goes to films like THE BIG PARADE, WHAT PRICE GLORY? and the Oscar-winning WINGS. Those interviewed this time out include Gish, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Agnes de Mille, Blanche Sweet, Jesse Lasky, Jr., Valerie von Strokeim and Raoul Walsh. The always entertaining William Wellman also appears with a few nice stories about the making of WINGS.