"Starlift" is a movie Warner Brothers made about Operation Starlift that operated from early 1950 until late 1951 when the program ran out of money. The project was created by a special services office of the U. S. military and the Hollywood Coordinating Committee.
The latter was a service committee formed in Hollywood in 1941 to provide entertainment for American servicemen on the West Coast during WW II. It continued operating through the Korean War until 1957. Actors, actresses, comedians, singers and musicians volunteered to entertain the GIs during wartime. They put on shows in the Hollywood Canteen, other canteens, and USO clubs.
But this film is not about the canteen and USO programs. While the purpose was the same and the entertainment similar, the situation was different. Operation Starlift was to entertain the wounded who had returned from Korea, and to give a send-off to the GIs who were leaving for the war.
Ruth Roman, who appears in this film, was the principal promoter of Operation Starlift. The Air Force would pick up Hollywood entertainers at the Lockheed air station near Burbank on Saturday, and fly them to Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco. They would put on a two- to three-hour show in the terminal building for GIs who were departing for Korea. They then would do the show in the base hospital auditorium for the wounded GIs who had come from the war. On Sundays, the Air Force then flew them back to Burbank.
The movie is about the project, with Roman joined by Doris Day and Janice Rule in the main roles. The plot is a loose story that includes a fictional romance. It ties together several song and dance numbers and comedy routines. It's a typical musical revue film, but the story has some historical value and a little more substance because it was made right at the time the project was ending. And, it included many of the Hollywood stars and the shows they might put on. As some film critics at the time, and other reviewers have noted, the film's plot is quite sappy in places. Still, it's a nice glimpse of some people in the entertainment field who cared about GIs and veterans. And, the revue acts are entertaining. It gets 7 stars for its historical portrayal and accuracy. Otherwise, it would rate six stars for the plot and performances.
Some other celebrities with bigger parts in the film are Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Virginia Mayo, Dick Wesson, Ron Hagerthy, Richard Webb, Hayden Rorke and Phil Harris. Gary Cooper, James Cagney, Jane Wyman, Randolph Scott and Louella Parsons head the list of other actors and celebs who appear in cameos and bit parts.
The best line in the film is by Richard Webb who plays the Travis Air Base commander, Col. Callan. When Ruth Roman suggests "Starlift" as a regular entertainment project for the troops, Callan says, "Well, the Air Force thrives on short notice. You get 'em, we'll fly 'em."
The latter was a service committee formed in Hollywood in 1941 to provide entertainment for American servicemen on the West Coast during WW II. It continued operating through the Korean War until 1957. Actors, actresses, comedians, singers and musicians volunteered to entertain the GIs during wartime. They put on shows in the Hollywood Canteen, other canteens, and USO clubs.
But this film is not about the canteen and USO programs. While the purpose was the same and the entertainment similar, the situation was different. Operation Starlift was to entertain the wounded who had returned from Korea, and to give a send-off to the GIs who were leaving for the war.
Ruth Roman, who appears in this film, was the principal promoter of Operation Starlift. The Air Force would pick up Hollywood entertainers at the Lockheed air station near Burbank on Saturday, and fly them to Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco. They would put on a two- to three-hour show in the terminal building for GIs who were departing for Korea. They then would do the show in the base hospital auditorium for the wounded GIs who had come from the war. On Sundays, the Air Force then flew them back to Burbank.
The movie is about the project, with Roman joined by Doris Day and Janice Rule in the main roles. The plot is a loose story that includes a fictional romance. It ties together several song and dance numbers and comedy routines. It's a typical musical revue film, but the story has some historical value and a little more substance because it was made right at the time the project was ending. And, it included many of the Hollywood stars and the shows they might put on. As some film critics at the time, and other reviewers have noted, the film's plot is quite sappy in places. Still, it's a nice glimpse of some people in the entertainment field who cared about GIs and veterans. And, the revue acts are entertaining. It gets 7 stars for its historical portrayal and accuracy. Otherwise, it would rate six stars for the plot and performances.
Some other celebrities with bigger parts in the film are Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Virginia Mayo, Dick Wesson, Ron Hagerthy, Richard Webb, Hayden Rorke and Phil Harris. Gary Cooper, James Cagney, Jane Wyman, Randolph Scott and Louella Parsons head the list of other actors and celebs who appear in cameos and bit parts.
The best line in the film is by Richard Webb who plays the Travis Air Base commander, Col. Callan. When Ruth Roman suggests "Starlift" as a regular entertainment project for the troops, Callan says, "Well, the Air Force thrives on short notice. You get 'em, we'll fly 'em."