Service On Celluloid artwork

Service On Celluloid

85 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 236 ratings

A podcast from The National WWII Museum analyzing how World War II has been depicted on film.

History TV & Film film history military war wwii
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Episodes

Casablanca

March 18, 2019 22:00 - 53 minutes - 73.3 MB

Rick came to Casablanca for the waters. He was misinformed. This week, the “Service on Celluloid” podcast panel informs your appreciation for “Casablanca” by exploring the WWII history behind the 1942 Warner Bros. classic.  

Minisode to Run Silent, Run Deep

March 11, 2019 22:00 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MB

Following our discussion of "Run Silent, Run Deep," hear from Billy Leibold and Jim Allen (pictured) who served in the silent service.

Run Silent, Run Deep

March 04, 2019 13:00 - 54 minutes - 74.5 MB

“You have to like submarine pictures to like ‘Run Silent, Run Deep,’ ” wrote "New York Times" film critic Bosley Crowther when the film was released in 1958. Will the "Service on Celluloid" panelists agree?

Minisode to Sands of Iwo Jima

February 25, 2019 23:00 - 19 minutes - 27.3 MB

Following our panel’s discussion of “Sands of Iwo Jima,” hear from veterans Dave Severance and James Goodrich (pictured) as they discuss the fighting and famous flag raising on Iwo Jima.

Sands of Iwo Jima

February 18, 2019 23:00 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MB

John “The Duke” Wayne landed an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of flawed Marine Sergeant John Stryker in 1949’s “Sands of Iwo Jima,” but how much does this propagandistic film get right about one of the most iconic battles of World War II? The “Service on Celluloid” panel knows.

Minisode to Patton

February 11, 2019 23:00 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MB

This week’s “Service on Celluloid” minisode follows on our discussion about 1970’s “Patton” with oral history visits with two servicemembers—Fred Hirsekorn and Captain Abraham Baum (pictured)—who had memorable encounters with the film’s legendary title character.

Patton

February 04, 2019 23:00 - 53 minutes - 72.8 MB

The 1970 blockbuster “Patton” was honored with multiple Academy Awards, including a Best Actor trophy for George C. Scott (who didn’t attend the ceremony to accept), but how true is the film biography to the historical record and to its subject, General George S. Patton? This week, our “Service on Celluloid” panel dives into the film for a lively conversation about its historical hits and misses as well as its standing among Hollywood’s greatest WWII-set movies.

Minisode to Empire of the Sun

January 28, 2019 23:00 - 18 minutes - 25.2 MB

Following our episode about “Empire of the Sun," listen to oral histories from Howard Hart (a civilian internee) and Phillip Schweitzer (who helped liberate Los Baños internment camp).

Empire of the Sun

January 21, 2019 23:00 - 54 minutes - 75 MB

This week we review "Empire of the Sun," a shenanigans-heavy coming-of-age story with artful cinematography and a swelling John Williams score—all the markings of a 1980s Steven Spielberg film—but how accurate is it?

It's A Wonderful Life

December 17, 2018 23:00 - 59 minutes - 81 MB

Though World War II takes only a few minutes of screen time in “It's a Wonderful Life,” the film has many links to the war and wartime America.  Listen to learn why the holiday classic is the topic of conversation on a podcast dedicated to screen depictions of World War II.

Minisode to A League Of Their Own

December 10, 2018 23:00 - 18 minutes - 25.9 MB

Following our discussion of “A League of Their Own,” we will hear from Virginia Hamilton (pictured) describing her WWII reporting about women taking over jobs previously held only be men, then WWII veteran and big-league pitcher Lou Brissie.

A League Of Their Own

December 03, 2018 23:00 - 57 minutes - 78.5 MB

This week the panel tackles “A League of Their Own,” the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Founded by chewing-gum magnate Philip K. Wrigley in 1942, the league was born at a time when male ballplayers were being drafted to serve in World War II. (Photo courtesy of The History Museum South Bend)

Minisode to Bataan

November 26, 2018 21:00 - 17 minutes - 25.5 MB

Following our conversation about 1943’s “Bataan,” we hear from Lester Tenney (pictured), Robert Rosendahl, and Glenn Frazier, who experienced the harrowing Bataan Death March.

Bataan

November 19, 2018 21:00 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MB

This week, “Service on Celluloid” examines the 1943 film "Bataan,” which focuses on the American and Filipino defensive retreat on the Bataan Peninsula in early 1942. The panel will address what this film does well and what is curiously missing.

Minisode to Battleground

November 12, 2018 23:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MB

Following our discussion of “Battleground,” we will discuss the lingo showcased in the film and hear from veterans John Pogue, Edward Heffron, and Donald Malarkey (pictured).

Battleground

November 05, 2018 23:00 - 58 minutes - 81.3 MB

This week our panelists discuss the misery, hope, and humor seen in 1949’s “Battleground,” a tale of the 327th GIR of the famous 101st Airborne Division while it is encircled at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

Minisode to Anthropoid

October 29, 2018 22:00 - 20 minutes - 27.8 MB

Following our conversation about "Anthropoid," we take a deeper look this week at the lives and actions of Reinhard Heydrich (pictured), a main architect of the Final Solution, and Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš, the exile Czechoslovak soldiers who assassinated him.

Anthropoid

October 22, 2018 22:00 - 52 minutes - 71.8 MB

This week our panelists look at the 2016 film Anthropoid and its depiction of the true story of Operation Anthropoid, code name for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, a main architect of the Final Solution. See what our team thinks of this Jamie Dornan/Cillian Murphy vehicle’s depiction of WWII-era resistance, betrayal, and heroism.

Minisode to Tora! Tora! Tora!

October 15, 2018 22:00 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MB

Following our discussion of "Tora! Tora! Tora!" we venture into territory rarely visited here at "Service On Celluloid"—history’s what-ifs. In this minisode, we discuss potential signs that an attack was imminent and the response options that were available. Hear from veterans Don Stratton, Kermit Tyler (pictured) and Sterling Cale, who were all at Pearl Harbor that fateful day.

Tora! Tora! Tora!

October 08, 2018 22:00 - 53 minutes - 72.9 MB

Roger Ebert opened his review of 1970s’s Tora! Tora! Tora! by calling it “one of the deadest, dullest blockbusters ever made.” Tune in to see how our team of historians and local film critic Mike Scott (NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune) view this classic depiction of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Minisode to The Great Escape

October 01, 2018 22:00 - 27 minutes - 37.1 MB

Following our discussion of “The Great Escape,” hear from veteran Malcolm Higgins (pictured) as he describes how his family learned that he was a POW in Stalag Luft III.  Additionally, listen to Colonel Robert Ingraham, who helped dig the tunnels later made famous by the film, reveal how he became part of the breakout team.

The Great Escape

September 24, 2018 22:00 - 1 hour - 82.9 MB

This week we look at the often-imitated Steve McQueen hit “The Great Escape.” It’s certainly drenched in cool, but how accurate is it? Our panelists discuss what life was really like in Stalag Luft III.

Minisode to Fury

September 03, 2018 22:00 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MB

Following our discussion of the 2014 Brad Pitt vehicle “Fury,” tanker John Rogers (pictured) describes attacking Tiger tanks in Normandy. As a bonus, listen to veteran Robert Christie’s poem “The Hunter,” which describes the existential guilt of fighting a defeated but dangerous enemy during the closing days of war.

Fury

August 27, 2018 22:00 - 55 minutes - 78.2 MB

For this week’s episode, our panel takes on the Brad Pitt vehicle "Fury." We will be discussing director David Ayer’s graphic depiction of the 2nd Armored Division during the closing days of World War II in Europe.

Minisode to Midway

August 20, 2018 22:00 - 23 minutes - 31.7 MB

Following our conversation about "Midway," hear veterans Don Hoff (pictured) and Dusty Kleiss retell what it was like to fly in the Battle of Midway.

Midway

August 13, 2018 22:00 - 1 hour - 86.5 MB

This week the panel takes aim at 1976’s "Midway," co-starring Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and Hal Holbrook—as well as recycled footage from several previous (and much better) WWII films. 

Minisode to Schindler's List

August 07, 2018 19:54 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MB

Following our discussion of "Schindler's List," hear survivor Luna Kaufman speak of the horrors she endured as a child in Płaszów concentration camp.

Schindler's List

July 30, 2018 22:00 - 1 hour - 91.3 MB

This week our experts look at the masterpiece, Schindler’s List. Exploring the relationship between businessman Oskar Schindler and SS officer Amon Göth – how two men of similar circumstance, chose such vastly different paths. 

Minisode to Saving Private Ryan

July 23, 2018 22:00 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MB

Following our review of Saving Private Ryan, hear from veterans Dr. Hal Baumgarten and Harley Reynolds, who saw firsthand the chaos and carnage of D-Day.

Saving Private Ryan

July 16, 2018 21:00 - 54 minutes - 74.5 MB

Celebrated WWII epic "Saving Private Ryan" turns 20 this summer. It remains one of the most famous depictions of World War II to date. Is it true to history? We sought to answer that question on this week’s episode.

Minisode to The Best Years Of Our Lives

July 09, 2018 21:49 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MB

Following our review of "The Best Years Of Our Lives", hear from veterans Francis Resta and John “J.J.” Witmeyer, who recount the struggles they faced upon returning from World War II.

The Best Years Of Our Lives

July 02, 2018 22:56 - 1 hour - 88.2 MB

This week’s episode takes a hard look at The Best Years of Our Lives, the timeless film about veterans and the battles they fight upon returning home. Special Guest: Dr. Marsha Gordon, Professor of Film Studies at North Carolina State University.

Minisode to Twelve O'Clock High

June 25, 2018 21:00 - 25 minutes - 34.8 MB

Following our review of Twelve O'Clock High, hear from veterans George Roberts, John "Lucky" Luckadoo, and Bob Shoens, who saw firsthand what was happening within the US Army Air Forces during World War II.

Twelve O'Clock High

June 18, 2018 19:26 - 59 minutes - 82.1 MB

Upon seeing the WWII film, Twelve O'Clock High, Curtis LeMay is reported to have said that he "couldn't find anything wrong with it."  Tune-in to see if our historians agree.

Service On Celluloid Teaser

May 28, 2018 22:00 - 6 minutes - 11.2 MB

Service on Celluloid is a new, captivating historical podcast that takes a deep look at depictions of World War II on film over the last 70-plus years. Set for an initial run of six episodes, in-house experts at The National WWII Museum along with special guests will hold lively debates on the historical merits of treasured classics and smaller films alike. Debuting the week of June 18th, films will include Fury, Midway, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, The Best Years of Our Lives, and...