Description
This file is the PDF version of the archived online exhibit Hollywood Goes to War. It was created by public history students from Kennesaw State University for the Museum of History & Holocaust Education. Hollywood played a critical role in American life during World War II. Prior to the U.S. entry into
the war, the movie industry, centered in
California, produced films that condemned Axis
aggression and supported the Allied powers.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U. S.
government depended on Hollywood directors
and stars to influence the tens of millions of American moviegoers. Hollywood produced
propaganda films that championed stories of patriotism, duty, and sacrifice for audiences in
America and abroad. The film industry supported the war effort, and the success and continued
popularity of many wartime movies such as Casablanca reflect the continued influence that this
era has on the American cultural landscape.
