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A very attractive poster for the 1941 Gary Cooper movie Sergeant York. (I've always thought conscientious objectors should be made to watch this excellent film.)
Tags:
Sergeant
York
poster
Added: 3rd May 2008
Views: 116
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Posted By: Lava1964 |
 
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Posted by: Naomi on 2008-05-03
This is another one of my husband's favorite films.
Here's some interesting trivia~
- The actual firearm used by Alvin York to dispose of a line of seven Germans was not a Luger as depicted in the film, but rather a 1911 .45 ACP automatic. The Luger was preferred for the filmmaking, however, purely on the basis that they couldn't get the .45 to fire blanks.
- York was approached by producer Jesse Lasky several times, beginning in 1919, to allow a movie to be made of his life, but he refused, believing that 'This uniform ain't for sale.' Lasky convinced York that, with war threatening in Europe, it was his patriotic duty to allow the film to proceed. York finally agreed, but only on three conditions. First, York's share of the profits would be contributed to a Bible School York wanted constructed. Second, no cigarette smoking actress could be chosen to play his wife. Third, that only Gary Cooper, could re-create his life on screen. Cooper at first turned down the role, but when York himself contacted the star with a personal plea, Cooper agreed to do the picture.
- The scene where Alvin's becomes converted with the bolt of lightning was an invention of the screenwriters. In reality his conversion by his future wife from a hard-drinking roustabout to Sunday school teacher was slower and less dramatic.
- Joan Leslie was sixteen when she filmed Sergeant York, the same age as the real Gracie. York had made it clear he didn't want any actress with any sort of notoriety connected with her portraying his wife. He specifically said, 'No Ooomph Girls!' a clear reference to Warner contract player Ann Sheridan. Incredibly Jane Russell was considered before the wholesome Leslie was ultimately chosen.
- Gary Cooper, unable to participate in WWII due to his age and an old injury to his hip, felt strongly that Sergeant York (1941) was his way of contributing to the cause. Cooper later said 'Sergeant York and I had quite a few things in common, even before I played him on screen. We both were raised in the mountains..Tennessee for him, Montana for me,...and learned to ride and shoot as a natural part of growing up. Sergeant York won me an Academy Award, but that's not why it's my favorite film. I liked the role because of the background of the picture, and because I was portraying a good, sound American character.'
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Great trivia, Naomi! I remember reading in one of the editions of the Book of Lists that the real Sergeant ALvin York got into trouble with the law late in his life. I think it was for income tax evasion.
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