10 Jul This is the Army
This is the Army, WWII Movie starring Ronald Reagan and Irving Berlin
(1943) This is really Irving Berlin’s story, based on his 1942 Broadway musical. There are 19 original songs. Irving had produced a similar revue named Yip Yip Yaphank during World War I.
All the ticket proceeds from the Broadway show and from the movie went to benefit the Army Emergency Relief Fund, and according to the Turner Classic Movie’s article, a total of nearly ten million dollars was raised.
Irving Berlin worked in cooperation with the War Department to make this morale booster musical. U.S. Army soldiers, as well as a long list of Hollywood stars, made up the cast.
Although there isn’t much of a plot, the story touches on many of the themes that had to be on everyone’s mind … Do we or do we not get married before he ships out? being just one of them.
The main character’s son is played by Ronald Reagan. Because he was so nearsighted, Reagan did not service overseas. Much of his service was with the First Motion Picture Unit, producing documentaries and films which would educate the public about the military.
Today these songs are some of our favorites from WWII: “This is the Army, Mr. Jones” and “Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning.”
I could only imagine how emotional some of the war-weary moviegoers must have been when they saw it. They were entertained and they were also touched. 68 years later, I was.
This is the Army at amazon.com
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