I recently came across a photograph of children in the 1950s wearing cowboy hats and carrying toy six-shooters. It reminded me that, for millions of Americans, Western heroes like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, and The Lone Ranger were once as familiar as superheroes are now. Today, streaming and cable ratings underscore the popularity of cowboys and the American … [Read more...] about The Cold War on the Frontier: How Early Cold War Westerns Taught and Questioned American Values
Movies
8 Robin Hood Movies from the Cold War Era and the Red Scare Panic That Tried to Ban Him
Recently I came across a Red Scare story that sounds more like a legend than a real happening. But since it was reported on The History Channel’s “This Day in History,” I’m guessing that it must be real. So here goes. Background On November 13, 1953, Mrs. Thomas J. White of the Indiana Textbook Commission called for the removal of references to the book Robin Hood from … [Read more...] about 8 Robin Hood Movies from the Cold War Era and the Red Scare Panic That Tried to Ban Him
9 Must Watch Heist/Theft Films of the Cold War
Have you heard about the recent heist at the Louvre? It occurred in broad daylight when the museum was open to the public and it took no more than seven minutes. Talk about brazen! The thieves walked off with some of the French nation’s most valued crown jewels, with Paris officials asserting that it was the most costly theft ever staged at the world-renowned museum. Ariel … [Read more...] about 9 Must Watch Heist/Theft Films of the Cold War
Fifth Column Films and Converts to the Allies
In early spy movies, the "fifth column" referred to a group of people secretly working from within a country to undermine its defense and support an enemy, often during wartime. This concept, popularized during the Spanish Civil War, was commonly used in early espionage films of the World War II era as countries like the US and Britain grappled with the realities of espionage … [Read more...] about Fifth Column Films and Converts to the Allies
Noir, Espionage and Resistance: 15 Films and an Honorable Mention
Stories of the underground resistance movement in various wars have long been popular. When I think of resistance movies, though, I most usually think of those that portray resistance to Axis forces during World War II, particularly those set in France and centered around underground activities. As far as I'm concerned, Casablanca is the quintessential resistance film. But … [Read more...] about Noir, Espionage and Resistance: 15 Films and an Honorable Mention
