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Showing posts from September, 2020

Hollywood at War: The Female Front

When the United States entered World War II, so did Hollywood. Studios began churning out films that emphasized patriotism and a large contingent of male stars sacrificed their careers to join the armed forces. Women at the time were obviously excluded from combat duty, so they used their celebrity status to raise funds or even to work in the underground. Here are 5 female stars that contributed to war effort, both at home and overseas.    1. Myrna Loy With the outbreak of World War II in Europe, Myrna Loy was one of the many Hollywood celebrities that lent her presence and name to raise money for overseas relief. After the attack on Pearl Harbor forced the U.S. into the war, she joined the Screen Actors Division of the Hollywood Victory Campaign and coordinated talent for hospital tours, bond rallies and camp shows. In April 1943, she took an unpaid full-time job with the American Red Cross as assistant to the director of the Military and Naval Welfare Service for the North ...

Hollywood at War: Stars Who Served

September 2, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of VJ-Day, the day on which the Empire of Japan finally signed the surrender document, officially ending World War II in Asia. Future film star Tony Curtis, then a sailor in the United States Navy, actually witnessed much of the formal surrender activities in Tokyo Bay from his ship's signal bridge about a mile away. But Tony Curtis was not the only Hollywood celebrity who took up arms against the Axis Powers. Here is a list of 10 stars of the silver screen who served during World War II, either before or after they were famous.   1. James Stewart Stewart enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Forces in February 1941. After receiving his basic training at Moffett Field, California, he served as flight instructor at Kirtland Army Air Field in Albuquerque, New Mexico and at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. In July 1943, he reported to the Army Air Base in Sioux City, Iowa and was appointed commander of the 703rd Squadron of the 445th Bombardment Grou...