Hollywood At War

In "Hollywood At War" we see how America's entertainers, its movie stars and its singers, its heartthrobs and its vamps were mobilized in the war effort. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought sweeping transformations to American life. It was a chaotic time full of promise and fear, hope and despair, as the United States rapidly mobilized its military and industrial power. In this program, we see how the government enlisted Hollywood, Tin Pan Alley and Madison Avenue to inspire the American people. With documentaries, movies, music and humor, America's entertainers rallied both civilians and the armed forces for the challenges that lay ahead.

Directed by Anthony Ross Potter, Frank J. De Meo, Hollywood At War leans on a strong ensemble — Eric Sevareid — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1990.