The film was released in Jan. 1946 but takes place during WWII. Scotty Beckett, who plays the younger son, was more than 16 years old then yet clearly hadn't reached puberty. When I checked the AFI website, I found the film was made between Nov. 1943 and Jan. 1944. Does anyone have any thoughts about the reason for the 2-year delay in release?
shareI am having an argument with another poster in another thread on this movie about the filming dates. I have not found a reference to when the movie was filmed. I would be grateful if you could send me one.
Between November 1943 and January 1944 we were no longer losing the war, but we were not yet winning it. We were not ashore in mainland Europe, the Russians were not retaking their country, the progress of the Japanese through the Pacific Islands and China had been stopped, but they were not losing much ground, yet.
In other words, we had sufficient reason to be optimistic, but no way to plan on the end of the war. There are scenes in this movie that suggest that the war is all but over. Major Landis is being reassigned to the OCCUPATION of JAPAN. You cannot occupy a country that you have not invaded and subdued. Maybe I read his telegram wrong, but I don't think that I did.
If substantial filming was done as early as Nov. 1943 through Jan. 1944, then they edited in some post war facts. Interesting point of film history if they did.
If it were up to me and the choice was to be made, I would not allow this movie to be shown to soldiers in the war zone at all. What, I want you to tell my GI's that it's fine to get killed. An army desk pilot will take care of your widow. Not my idea of a morale booster.
The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.