The message of American pro-Soviet movies during World War II – The North Star, Song of Russia, Mission to Moscow
The message of American pro-Soviet movies during World War II – The North Star, Song of Russia, Mission to Moscow

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is not only to present the process behind pro-communist Hollywood film-making during the first years of World War II, but also to give notice concerning the nature of the visual message, illustrating how the attitude towards communism evolved in the interwar period. Moreover, this paper will demonstrate that the pro-Soviet attitudes found on the big screens were a mix of several factors: from Roosevelt’s grand design and the use of “so! power”, to the OWI (Office of War Information) directives concerning movie scripts, and the major studios (MGM, Warner Brothers, RKO) intentions to capitalize on the new forced alliance, “giving a pat on the back, to keep them fighting” (Committee of Un-American Activities, 1947: 80). Although some 20 movies with a clear pro-Soviet message were produced between 1942 and 1944, I will direct my attention on three most important ones: “The North Star”,” Song of Russia”, and “Mission to Moscow”.

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