World War II and the American Film

Abstract

In the late 1930's, the challenge of totalitarianism, followed by America's involvement in World War II, altered the aims and purposes of the American film and provided it with new subjects and themes. Until 1942, most Hollywood movies were escapist entertainment, which aimed to distract a spellbound public from agonizing radio and newspaper reports about the Axis partners' expansion in Europe. But in response to President Roosevelt's growing concern with foreign policy and his determined efforts in 1938 and 1939 to break the bonds of American isolationism, the screen began cautiously to report on fascism at home and abroad. In 1940 and 1941, as military events in Europe moved swiftly, bringing war closer to the United States, Hollywood stepped up its own belligerency and military spirit and became impatient for intervention. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which catapulted the United States into a global conflict, the motion picture industry became totally engaged in the obligations and demands of a government at war. From 1942 until the end of the war three years later, the American film served as a potent instrument of national policy. With sweeping obeisance to military necessity, the screen helped to transform the social, political and military attitudes of an embattled nation, while promoting the aims and goals of the war effort.