Much of the exterior, and some of the interior scenes in this movie were filmed at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, PA. The scenes at the bank, and in downtown were also filmed in Phoenixville, and many local citizens were extras in the film.
Valley Forge was the largest military hospital in the country (having the capacity for over 3.500 patients). It was a major center for the treatment of Psychiatric patients and orthopedic patients from its opening till it was closed in 1974. It was the ONLY U.S. Army General Hospital that was named for a place, rather than for a person.
It was the primary center for blinded soldiers during World War II. The Orientation and Mobility of the Blind program was first done at Valley Forge, and then expanded out to VA Hospitals and civilian centers.
Every enlisted person who was stationed at Valley Forge General Hospital was required to view "Bright Victory".
I had the great honor to have been stationed at Valley Forge General Hospital from December 1964- July 1969.
reply
share
turtletommy
13 years ago
Hi theoldmedic-1, pardon the slight topic interruption, but Phoenixville, PA has been mentioned on the Wikipedia page of The Best Years of Our Lives as a filming location for some street and bank scenes in that story. It says "Many scenes were also filmed in Phoenixville, PA, most notably the banking scenes using the Farmers and Mechanics Bank located on Main Street and various other scenes showing Bridge Street and Main Street in Phoenixville, PA."
Unfortunately that information hasn't any citations backing up the claims. Have you ever heard about The Best Years of Our Lives having some scenes shot in Phoenixville? Most of the film was shot in Los Angeles. I have a sneaking suspicion that whomever posted that info on wikipedia confused Bright Victory with Best Years. Anyway thanks for any help with this- it's a topic over on the Best Years board. (-:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036868/board/thread/178074012?d=179077041 &p=2#179077041
reply
share