Pre-Pearl Harbor propaganda film about young Americans, from various social backgrounds, who undergo parachute training at Fort Benning prior to becoming paratroopers.Pre-Pearl Harbor propaganda film about young Americans, from various social backgrounds, who undergo parachute training at Fort Benning prior to becoming paratroopers.Pre-Pearl Harbor propaganda film about young Americans, from various social backgrounds, who undergo parachute training at Fort Benning prior to becoming paratroopers.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTowards the end, the aircraft in which the two parachutists try to catch up with the rest of the battalion (in DC-2s), and which looks like a pregnant Harvard, is a North American O-10 observation aircraft.
- GoofsIn the final jump scene one of the paratroopers is smoking on the aircraft. Smoking has never been and is still not allowed on military aircraft or the flight line because of the danger of igniting fuel and munitions. This was especially enforced in the era of propeller aircraft because of high octane, very flammable aviation gasoline.
- Crazy creditsAfter the title and names of the eight featured players, the following statement appears in capital letters while the title song plays and we view the marching infantry - "We gratefully acknowledge the splendid cooperation given by the officers and men of the 501st Parachute Battalion at Fort Benning, Ga., who actually made all the parachute jumps for this picture."
- SoundtracksParachute Battalion
(1941) (uncredited)
Adapted from the official song of the army's parachute troops
Music by Roy Webb
Lyrics Herman Ruby
Played during the opening credits and at the end and sung by the marching recruits
Played also as background music
Featured review
The very fact that President Roosevelt had instituted the military draft about three years before this movie was released suggests that America was anticipating becoming involved in World War Two, probably sooner than later. The film lacks the characteristic jingoistic propaganda that one finds in similar movies which tell of training civilians to be part of a modern industrial army. This is most likely due to the fact that there was no official enemy during the filming. The movie was released just nineteen days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, much too early to include enemies even though there had been a recent declaration of war against Japan. The dialogue, the characters and the plot are standard issue. One finds the tough instructor, the frightened recruit, the benevolent commander, the misguided football hero, and the one attractive female that everyone wants to marry. Still the movie is worth seeing, even with its shallow dramatic moments. The most entertaining scene in the movie is the dancing of Buddy Ebsen, who plays hillbilly recruit Jeff Hollis. One wishes there were fewer practice paratroop drops and more dancing by Ebsen.
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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