I've already watched it twice and still can't get enough of it. Now THIS is what the Internet was created for! *g* Thanks so much for passing on the link, and here's hoping the Tea Party movement of today makes the message so loud and clear, certain folks in Washington can't HELP but hear it!

Carolyn -- you hit the nail on the head, and all I can add is DITTO!

Caught Piccadilly in a Netflix rental -- loved Anna May Wong's performance and just sorry that she wasn't used better by Hollywood (but as another poster said, we're lucky she appeared on the big screen at all). Have also added The Kid Brother to my queue, but both Blockbuster Online and Netflix show Madeleine as "Unknown" for release date *groan*.

Thanks again Mr. Avrech -- and an OT comment if you happen to read this: I caught part of The Infiltrator on cable while visiting my mom (she has cable; I don't) and was completely riveted. I'm going to have to catch the rest of it sometime!

(CONTINUED) Love the Eleanor Boardman mention. I saw her a few months ago when Bardelys the Magnificent (with John Gilbert) was restored and released to DVD. The boat scene is incredibly sensual and nearly had me falling for the tragic Gilbert (I've never been a huge fan of his but I'm learning). I've also become a fan of Lon Chaney; about a year or two ago, I caught as many of his movies as I could. The Unknown I saw on TCM while on a trip, and was so floored, I wondered why it doesn't get the publicity of Hunchback or Phantom. What a performance, and what a great turn from director Tod Browning (a fellow Louisvillian). I once heard that Tell It to the Marines was not only Chaney’s favorite movie, but beloved of the Marine Corp as well! Thanks as well for letting many readers know that there was a time when Cecil B. DeMille was not just known for his Biblical epics. Some of his “drawing room comedies” of the teens and Twenties are pretty good, especially if they starred Gloria Swanson. Check out Why Change Your Wife? if you haven’t already! (And the camera work in Godless Girl was almost similar to what I might see in a German movie of the same era).

Mr. Avrech:
Once more I have thoroughly enjoyed one of your wonderful lists/columns. I always know that I'm in for a treat when I see your name in the byline, and you never fail to either give this movie fan information I did not know, or to expound on something I've always known. I've loved movies since I was a child (and I'm NOT some old woman either unless you think being in one's 40's makes one old), and while other kids were laughing at the newest Disney flick, I was enjoying -- on TV -- Gone with the Wind or King Kong (original) or Bride of Frankenstein and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and remembering that my grandmother (most of all) had taught me a love of films because SHE HAD BEEN PRESENT when these movies were brand new. While she didn't really care for silents, I fell in love with many of them and am always happy to discover something "new".

Great comments Nola and thank you from this American and unabashed Anglophile. When I first read the comments, I was laughing & thinking "what was the last movie she did that made money." I'd forgetting Iron Man, only because she had the great fortune of being attached to a massive hit in a small way. It's a shame that once again she is spouting this idiocy and as you mentioned, what message is she giving her half-American children. Perhaps -- if she'd wake up the few brain cells that aren't quite dead yet -- she might teach them about the man who was possibly the greatest half-American that ever lived: Sir Winston Churchill. Gwennie might learn a few things herself. Then again -- probably not. She can't come down off her high horse long enough anyway. But thanks again Nola. Spot on comments!

As an American, a Christian, someone who is biracial, and a supporter of Israel, it is breaking my heart to see the attitude of our current president towards that tiny nation; it also flips my stomach a hundred different ways when I hear Obama supporters -- many announcing that they are black -- call conservative radio shows to make some of the most vile, anti-Semetic statements. This, along with movies such as the disgusting 'Munich' (I'll never get those hours of my life back again), has added to my continuing disgust with Hollywood. Your article has given me a glimmer of hope and I am going to absolutely SAVOR Defiance (at home now -- one of my Netflix rentals). Thank you again for running with this story.

Big Hollywood is my Home Page when my laptop opens and imagine my delight -- and utter surprise -- to find your wonderful article, Mr. Averich. (As usual, a great job). Ironically, yesterday, my mom and I were having a heck of a time trying to remember Liev's full name, but remembered all of his movies! (One of THOSE moments LOL). She was even telling me that she thought he and Naomi Watts met during the filming of The Painted Veil. One of my favorite performances from him: Orson Welles. So how funny to find this and what a way to end this gal's day (I work nights), but most of all, how beautiful to hear that they are so unashamedly proud of their support for Israel. (continued)

Coming to the end of a quiet day and getting ready to head off to work. It's been such a delight reading everyone's posts, and seeing other movies mentioned -- and so glad to see other Master and Commander fans on here too! Oh and the St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V: it never fails to choke me up.

By the way, I think Eddie and the Cruisers is a great movie!

Mr. Averich, I want to thank you so much for yet another wonderful article. Although these times were before my own time, I heard my grandparents speak of this era so often that when I speak of the War, I mean WWII and not something more recent and it was a period that I studied quite intensely. To see how Hollywood turned out to support their country at war was -- as I think somone else commented -- like something out of another universe. Don't know if you all have seen this before, but checkout Patty Andrews with the deliciously wicked Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet doing their part at the Hollywood Canteen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwRNYZs_I88

Thanks again Mr. Averich for such a poignant, wonderful column. God bless you!