18 Feb Sergeant York
Sergeant York, WWI Movie starring Gary Cooper
(1941) As World War I breaks out, a young man from the mountains of Tennessee objects for religious reasons when he is drafted into the Army. What happens is that Alvin C. York becomes one of the most decorated soldiers of that war.
It took years for the shy York to agree to have this movie made. As World War II was fast approaching he finally consented with the condition that Gary Cooper play him on screen.
The film was a great success and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards. Gary Cooper won for Best Actor. According to Wikipedia, “The film’s patriotic theme helped recruit soldiers; young men sometimes went directly from the movie theater to military enlistment offices.”
I also loved Walter Brennan as the pastor. He was nominated but did not receive the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. I learned that Brennan did win that award three times, currently the record for most wins by a male actor, tied with Jack Nicholson. My memory of Brennan is from television’s The Real McCoys where he played a character that came from a poor family much like Alvin York did.
I almost didn’t watch this movie because after all, it’s World War I, not II. I’m so glad I did and that I learned about the almost innocent heroism of Sergeant Alvin C. York.
Ma, what are they a-fighting for? … I don’t rightly know, child. I don’t rightly know. (York’s sister and Ma)
Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition) at amazon.com
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