Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II

by Christian Blauvelt, Dr. Robert M. Citino (Foreword)

From the Turner Classic Movies Film and history buffs alike will enjoy this engrossing story of Hollywood's involvement in World War II, as it's never before been told.

Remember a time when all of Hollywood—with the expressed encouragement and investment of the government—joined forces to defend the American way of life? It was World War II and the gravest threat faced the nation, and the world at large. Hollywood answered the call to action.
This is the riveting tale of how the film industry enlisted in the Allied effort during the second World War—a story that started with staunch isolationism as studios sought to maintain the European market and eventually erupted into impassioned support in countless ways. Industry output included war films depicting battles and reminding moviegoers what they were fighting for, "home-front" stories designed to boost the morale of troops overseas, and even musicals and comedies that did their bit by promoting the Good Neighbor Policy with American allies to the south. Stars like Carole Lombard—who lost her life returning from a war bond-selling tour—Bob Hope, and Marlene Dietrich enthusiastically joined USO performances and risked their own health and safety by entertaining troops near battlefronts; others like James Stewart and Clark Gable joined the fight themselves in uniform; Bette Davis and John Garfield created a starry haven for soldiers in their founding of the Hollywood Canteen. Filmmakers Orson Welles, Walt Disney, Alfred Hitchcock, and others took breaks from thriving careers to make films aiming to shore up alliances, boost recruitment, and let the folks back home know what beloved family members were facing overseas. Through it all, a story of once-in-a-century unity—of a collective need to stand up for humanity, even if it means risking everything—comes to life in this engrossing, photo-filled tale of Hollywood Victory .

Genres: History, Film, Nonfiction, War

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2021

Reviews

[Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II by Christian Blauvelt takes a look at the many ways Hollywood participated in the war effort and bolstered the American public. This book featured themed essays that tackle many aspects of WWII Hollywood in a way that is both informative and visually appealing. It includes a wide breadth of stories; some classic film fans will be familiar with and others that will be quite enlightening. The behind-the-scenes or lesser known stories alongside the ones we come to expect to be told about the war enriches the reading experience.
Full review https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2022...

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book to my husband for Christmas after seeing it mentioned on TCM. His father was in the First Motion Picture unit and he remembers the war and life in LA at that time. Ronald Reagan was his father’s CO!
I enjoyed the book and loved the pictures. I found the politics and maneuvering of the different studios heads fascinating. I’d forgotten Leslie Howard’s death. The HUAC people should be ashamed of themselves.

[☮ morgan ☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

such an interesting look at Hollywood and its role during WW2

[Christine Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a visual treat, it really is. It's jam-packed with photos of the stars of the 1940s, in addition to movie posters, cartoon stills, and so on. It demonstrates how the film industry jumped in with both feet to support the Allied win of the war. It was amazing to learn how many stars joined the military to do their part. Loved this book.

[Bob Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood Goes To War

This book was an interesting intersection of life for me. My Dad was a WWII flyer in the South Pacific with the 5th Air Force, 22nd Bomb Group, then returned home to marry my Mom and have me in a beach town a stone’s throw from Hollywood.

Few stars lived in our town then, but lots of writers, camera personnel and gaffers did. This book is about them and all who served our country’s cause back then. What they did then and what they faced afterward created the scenery and script for my life.

Oh, that all of us today were as selfless and together as “the greatest generation,” famous and work-a-day, was then. I long for many elements of that time, flawed though it certainly was. This easy read reminded me of why my parents and their generation were great, despite their shortcomings.

[SheMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, breezy and not terribly deep. It is, however, full of fascinating anecdotes including the first in the book: the first ever winner of the Best Actor Oscar, Emil Jennings, a German who returned to his homeland in the 30's to make propaganda films, ran out of his home to greet Allied soldiers with his Oscar, yelling "I have Oscar. I have Oscar!"

A disappointment is that, while there was a chapter-length discussion of HUAC, the Hollywood Ten, naming names, etc., there was no corresponding discussion of the Communist influence in Hollywood during the 30's as detailed in the book, RED STAR IN HOLLYWOOD.

[Michael Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not always a fan of the TCM branded books which often are better visual experiences (lots of full-page photos and illustrations) than reading experiences (light skimming of information). But this one is a surprisingly solid read in addition to being filled with great visuals. Blauvelt digs a bit deeper than is the norm for the TCM books and some interesting lesser-known B-movies crop up here and there in the text. His chapter on Casablanca is quite good--it's fairly short but still managed to tell me a few tidbits that I didn't know, and I've read just about every book that's been published about that film. Recommended.

[David Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable and informative read throughout, Christian Blauvelt deftly takes us through the history of World War II as seen, and influenced by, Hollywood. The war years represent a fascinating turning point in the industry – to borrow a phrase Christian uses himself at the end of the book – when film not only showed us the world, but began to help shape it. The book is packed with archive photos and interesting anecdotes about various stars of the era, but also I learned a lot about the war itself. Bravo!

[Liselotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an incredibly big snob when it comes to books on the 20th century and especially on Hollywood stars, because a lot of people just have an idea of old Hollywood and don't really give the whole picture and usually just focus on the biggest (white) names and forget the other big (POC) actors. This book is not like that at all.

This book is amazingly well researched, it's beautifully formatted and the book is amazing quality. Highly recommend it!!

[Austin Gisriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a fan of Hollywood history or of WW II history, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. If you are a fan of both, you won't be able to put it down. Christian Blauvelt chronologically presents a multi-faceted account of Hollywood's contribution to the war effort. Beginning with pre-war anti-facist movies, he not only discusses the relevant movies made during this time, but also the contributions of the stars and executives and studios. He weaves into the story how Hollywood attempted to integrate African-Americans into the larger American culture through the movies Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. Interesting from the very beginning, the story becomes fascinating and even inspirational as America endures early defeats, only to emerge victorious.

Some sentences, particularly in the first half are awkwardly constructed, but that is a minor matter. I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone.

[Joseph K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wave Top look at Hollywood before, during, and after World War II. The book consists of short vignettes about the movies that were made and their impact, with deeper dives into groundbreaking movies of the era ("Mrs. Miniver," "Casablanca," and "The Best Years of Our Lives"). Profiles of actors and directors who served in uniform are either mentioned briefly (Charles Bronson was an aerial gunner on B-29s of the United States Army Air Corps) or given more space dedicated to their war service (James Stewart enlisted as a private, and by the end of the war, he had been promoted to full colonel after flying 20+ combat missions over Europe).

There is lots of interesting trivia, such as how FDR's Good Neighbor Policy led to the unlikely saving of Walt Disney's studios financially, the tragedy and courage of Clark Gable, and Mickey Rooney receiving the Bronze Star, among others.

A must-read if you enjoy actors and actresses from Hollywood's Golden Age.

[Arthur D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Perspective

Interesting perspective on the participation of America's leading figures, both in front of and behind the camera, in World War II. Some of this I knew but most not. Well written it doesn't go on too long. It was a good read. The sad part is that the aftermath of the war and the right wing reaction to the views of some of the figures here resulted in the kind of vilification politics we see too frequently today. The more things change....

[I.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine overview of Hollywood history clearly aimed at people who already care/ have a love for the era. It’s like a cliff notes look at key events and a few movies with lots of pictures. It could have maybe gone into more depth in places or even talked about how some of the stars who served said it affected them later, but for a coffee table book it’s fine.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so lovely. As a film and WW2 history trash, this review is definitely biased, but what can I say? It was very engaging, expansive, and the photographic inserts were fantastic. The only- and I mean only!- criticism I have for this book is the one time it dedicates multiple pages to nothing but conspiracy theories around Leslie Howard’s death. Why? But this is a very small flaw, and frankly I would feel like an arse if I gave this book less than it’s deserving 5 stars for that.

[David Tice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining if somewhat broad & shallow overview of Hollywood going to war. Extra points for its discussion of both the years pre-war and post-war that puts wartime Hollywood in context. Recommended: Unless you have really detailed knowledge of this era, you’ll probably learn something new.

[Steven Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at Hollywood during World War II and the role played by the studios and the stars (in and out of uniform) to help win the war.

[gregory neumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read which no matter how many books I read still new a lot new things

Because it fun to read learn a lot new things. And you movies in a whole new light so enjoy

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always adored the movies of the 1940s and early 1950s. Perfection.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable read.