Bellringer: Need 2 Know. On a sheet of paper Bellringer: Need 2 Know On a sheet of paper PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON MY PAPER Anticipation for today’s lesson On same sheet of paper: What was happening during the 1940’s? How do you think Pop Culture has a place in the discussion of the 1940s?

Pop Culture Goes to War

Most Americans worked long hours at their jobs and put in additional time with volunteer work or other responsibilities during the war. They found escape in various forms of pop culture. In many cases, however, they couldn’t really escape since references to the war permeated magazines, radio programs, comics, and cartoons.

Wartime popular culture was: Rather than providing an escape from the trials of home front life, many of these outlets instead focused on building a sense of community and shared experience. They proved that Americans were all in it together, struggling with rationing, worrying about loved ones fighting overseas, or adjusting to a new job. Wartime popular culture was: Idealistic Laced with a good deal of therapeutic humor Designed to strengthen the common bond of what it meant to be an American

Hollywood pledges to fight

Hollywood Supports the War During World War II, all hands were on deck, even in Hollywood. Many of America’s finest filmmakers, from Alfred Hitchcock to Frank Capra, were recruited to create propaganda films to support the war effort.

Walt Disney and his lovable cartoon characters also were turned into good patriots.

Symbolism in the characters and their war-time roles: Donald Duck, as a marine, symbolizes that the pen is now equal to the sword Thrifty Pig: might of industry Minnie Mouse: Red Cross volunteer Dopey the dwarf: purchases war bonds Flower the skunk: member of the chemical warfare service Thumper the rabbit: in the Army Signal Corps. Insignia characters for the Flying Tigers and the PT boat Mosquito Squadron in the sky: one of the more than 1,200 designs created at Disney studios

Disney and the War At the start of WWII, the Disney Studios was taken over by the United States Army (500 troops.) The Army wanted to transform part of the studios into defensive fortifications to protect a nearby airplane factory against air raids. – Walt Disney devoted 8 months to fulfilling their needs by storing ammunition, equipment, etc. Soldiers lived on the grounds of the studio and they seemed to be everywhere. Disney employees had to share office space to make room for all of the soldiers.

Immediately, Walt Disney Productions dropped work on future projects Immediately, Walt Disney Productions dropped work on future projects. To help with the war effort, it started creating training and propaganda films. Films ranged in length from short animated sequences to longer live action movies. In terms of sheer footage, the studio produced many times the amount of film during the war than it did before or after. – Disney studios churned out more than 200,000 feet of film in 1942 and 1943 – 5 times more than it ever did in times of peace. Keeping up with all of the work was brutal, particularly since many Disney employees had been drafted.

Disney’s Propaganda The majority of Disney’s war effort was spent in the production of war propaganda short films, typically 7 minutes in length.

Walt Disney also made: – training and instructional videos for every branch of the U.S. Military and government. – Insignias and holiday cards for various branches of the military.

Air Force For the Air Force, Disney went so far as to create a full-length live action film with animated sequences. The movie entitled, “Victory Through Airpower” was based on the book by Alexander de Seversky by the same name.

Army At the request of the US Army, Disney Studios produced animation for a series of short films which were produced by Frank Capra. This series included the films “Prelude to War” and “America Goes to War.”

Why We Fight Commissioned by the US govt. with the purpose of showing American soldiers the reasons for the U.S. involvement in the war. The films were later shown to the general public to persuade them to support U.S. involvement in the war. Most of the films were directed by acclaimed Hollywood director Frank Capra.

War Insignias Many soldiers and airmen decorated their tanks and fighters with Mickey, Donald and Pluto. These symbols of the American way of life reminded the men of everything that was at stake. During the war, Disney artists created hundreds of war insignias, many of which featured the popular Disney characters of the time. All of the designs were created free of charge. During the war it’s estimated that Disney Studios designed at least 700 designs for the Army and Navy. Disney artists also created 1,200 aircraft insignia between 1939-1945. “The insignia meant a lot to the men who were fighting…I had to do it…I owed it to them,” said Walt.

roast 'em, or boil 'em in oil." A NZAF Lockheed Ventura (No. NZ4509) with a Disney devil affixed. The numbers 1-2-3 are labeled Hitler, Tojo, Il Duce. The devil's dilemma is whether to "bake 'em, roast 'em, or boil 'em in oil."

Insignia of the 114th Signal Radio Intelligence Company. The insignia for the USS Escambia (AO-80) fleet refueler

Christmas was often a depressing time of the year for men serving overseas. To help raise morale, many units created their own custom holiday greeting cards. Units with Disney-designed insignia often incorporated their insignia into the design of their cards. The cover of the 13th Armored Division’s greeting card featured the unit’s Disney- designed insignia, a collection of bad luck symbols. Men in this unit paid no attention to the superstitious overtones of their unit number. They felt it was the enemy who would suffer misfortune when encountering them. This postcard was sent out by men serving aboard the navy fleet oiler USS Housatanic. This tanker saw action in both the Atlantic and South Pacific, where she delivered fuel oil for warships and high-octane gasoline for aircraft.

U.S. Treasury During the war, the U.S. Treasury also sought Disney’s assistance. Disney helped to issue war bonds with the famous Disney characters portrayed on the bonds. – Their “Bonds for Babies” campaign gave one certificate to anyone who bought a bond in the name of a baby or young child.

The Treasury also asked Disney to produce films to show Americans how paying their income taxes would help assist in the war effort. Disney created 2 films, “The New Spirit” and “The Spirit of 43.” 26 million Americans saw “The Spirit of ’43” and more than 1/3 of them later admitted they began saving for their taxes partly thanks to Donald.

The Victory March was an interactive book for kids which encouraged them to buy savings stamps. It depicted the Big Bad Wolf and two little wolves as German, Japanese, and Italian fascists. The wolves steal Donald’s treasure chest which contained a savings stamp. Disney characters then chase the wolves around Washington, D.C. The book included a savings book and one free war savings stamp.

Disney artists also designed war-related material for many other federal and state depts. Disney art promoted a range of home front activities from salvage and scrap campaigns to blood donor drives. Disney art even adorned rationing books, showing Americans a satisfied Donald, Mickey and Minnie leaving their local Super Duper Market with their purchases.

Disney helped to: –Boost the morale of the American public, both soldiers and citizens alike. –Make the enemy look ridiculous. –Let audiences laugh at their own daily lives for a few minutes. Disney devoted over 90% of his studio to help entertain, educated and inform Americans to do their part in the war effort.