In the Heat of the Night

In The Heat of the Night (1967)
Director: Norman Jewison



Q1. How does this film relate to the chapter in Foner?
A1: The 1960s was a period of time that was filled with a lot of protests. In my point of view, this is the time of “Rebellion” in America. As a foreigner, what I first think about 1960s in America it was the time of Hippies and Rock music. These Hippies used their radical way of lives to present their points of view about the society. Rock music, no doubt, was also one of the main weapons to show the idea of “freedom” to oppose the “conservative “points of view in the 1960s. However, the film “In the Heat of the Night” was focused on the topic of “racial inequality”, and how African Americans were not equally treated and did not enjoy their freedom in the 1960s’ just like others. The prejudices and stereotypes constructed the public’s points of view about these black people. In this film, especially concerning white people, their behaviors and reactions showed how they strongly discriminated against the black people in the1960s. “In the Heat of the Night” was a story based on a white wealthy business man’s mysterious death in a small town of Mississippi. The main character Tibbs is an African American police officer from Philadelphia. He is waiting for a train back to his home. However, this well-dressed African American becomes a suspect only because of his outfit, and another reason was that his wallet had too much money; thus, it seems not to belong to him. A policeman takes him back to the police station and tells another main character Bill Gillespie, the police chief in this town, about his suspicion of Tibbs. Tibbs proves his police officer status by making a phone call to his chief. However, after the proof of his innocent, his higher chief orders him to support the investigation in this homicide case. With the previous bad experience in this small town, Tibbs accept this job reluctantly. At the beginning, Gillespie is doubts about this African American detective’s ability. However, after Tibbs proves himself with his outstanding analysis ability and the desire to find out the murderer, Gillespie little by little accepts this “black” detective. Gillespie fails to catch the wrong man by his arbitrary judgment, but with brilliant Tibbs’ support, finally they find the murderer based on their cooperation. Therefore, in the process of finding out the real murderer, Tibbs earns the respect from Gillespie. Indeed, this “black” and “white” collaboration might be the best illustration to show the director’s or some Americans’ expectation to have a truly “black” and “white” equal and collaborating society. At the same time, this film reflects some real serious points about how general white people still discriminate against the black people. In fact, this film does reveal some points to Foner’s chapter 25 of “The Sixties”. First, obviously, African Americans’ social status was the lowest in American society. Their social identity was contaminated by most of the white people. These white people had a serious discrimination issues against these black people. In this basis, from verbal or real physical assaults all point out how African Americans were not really “free Americans” at that time. Foner uses an African American’s words to illustrate how African Americans’ feel about their freedom in the 1960s “1960s, one black organizer in Memphis remarked, ‘All I wanted to do was to live in a free country.’ Of the movement’s accomplishments, he added, ‘You had to fight for every inch of it. Nobody gave you anything. Nothing’” (Foner 913). Indeed, this points out how African Americans were not totally free in America; they earned their own freedom by a series of civil right movements. They really “fight” to earn their own freedom. No one helped them. Indeed, this film also indirectly connects to the fact that how 1960s was a time for African Americans fight to earn their freedom by practical activities. In the film, when a cotton factory’s owner slaps on Tibbs’ face for his accusation, Tibbs is not afraid of this, and slaps the owner’s face back. Indeed, this might be an implication that black people need to respond for their unequal social status. The civil rights movement in the 1960s became African Americans’ main movement to show their eagerness for true freedom. Foner illustrates that “civil rights movement challenged the United States to rethink ‘what it really means by freedom’—including whether freedom applied to all American or only to part of the population” (Foner 913). In this basis, “part of the population” which refers to the white people might rethink about African Americans’ social status, and their freedom. Moreover, during that time the people who supported the African Americans’ civil rights movements might be considered as conservative white people’s enemies, and the women were not an exception. Foner indicates the realty that in 1960s “As in the days of abolitionism, young women who had embraced an ideology of social equality and personal freedom and learned methods of political organizing encountered inequality and sexual exploitation” (Foner 944). Indeed, 1960s really played a significant role in American freedom’s movement. Especially African Americans started to earn their real freedom that time.

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?
A2: In this film, the most powerful emphasis is on the racial issues. For instance, the main character Tibbs is caught by the police only because he is wearing a nice suit, and has a lot of money in his wallet. There is another example, when he goes to a restaurant; the waiter strongly refuses to provide this “African American” any service by saying “I am not going to service him”. However, these are all verbal assaults with discrimination against the black people. Moreover, there are some vivid physical assaults represent how serious the white men were loathed the black people. For example, in a scene, Tibbs are surrounded by five white men with weapons. They use their weapons to attack Tibbs. However, Tibbs does fight back, and is saved by the police chief Gillespie. Indeed, the relationship between Tibbs and Gillespie might be the best illustration about the typical white people and black people’s relationship. At the beginning, Gillespie has doubts about Tibbs’ ability in investigating the homicide case. We can observe Gillespie’s arrogant and insolent point of views about Tibbs through the movie. However, finally Gillespie starts to show his respect and admiration to Tibbs by the fact that he is an outstanding detective. Indeed, this shows most of the white people judge the black people based on their own prejudice first. In the Tibbs and Gillespie’s case Gillespie finally finds Tibbs’ advantages and gets rid of the previous prejudice. However, there were few white people like Gillespie who could erase the prejudice about the black people, and admire their ability. Indeed, although the civil rights movement was changing the black people’s social status, the fact was that these black people were still under serious discrimination. This film really directly shows majority of white men’s perspectives about the black people.

Q3: What does the film reveal about attitudes toward gender, class, and race?
A3: “In the Heat of the Night” really does not mention issues or perspectives about class. However, regarding gender’s points of view there are mainly two things that I found in the film. First, there is a scene that an almost naked woman in the house, and it really seems she is not aware of others’ feelings. Indeed, this points out women had their sexual determination that time; they even could decide they wanted to wear clothes or not. Second, the abortion issue is revealed in the film. To have enough abortion surgery fees, the real murderer, the waiter in a small restaurant kills the rich businessman for the money. Indeed, the movie puts a sensitive issue like “abortion” in the film which really reflects how women took this issue as a normal behavior. This also indirectly points out women’s liberal perspectives about sexual issues that time. The racial issues are the most important perspective in this film. How the main character Tibbs is treated by the white people is so vivid in this film. From the policemen to restaurant waiter they all show a strong discrimination against Tibbs. Tibbs is the representativeness of the African Americans that time. Indeed, most of these African Americans were not equally treated by others, especially the white people. Moreover, the contrast of a white cotton factory’s owner who has his own greenhouse and the conscientious black cotton workers shows that most African Americans’ standard of living were very poor. In Tibbs’case, a black man who had a nice standard of living might be rare that time. However, in Tibbs’s case we can see that some African Americans’ social status was moving upward, but majority of them were still in a poor standard.

Q4: What was the most important scene in the film?
A4: The most important scene in this film is when Tibbs finds out who is the murderer and is ready to takes the train back to Philadelphia, the police chief Gillespie asks Tibbs to take care of himself, and thanks for his helping in this homicide case. Indeed, in this scene, the Gillespie indirectly shows his admiration to Tibbs, and the respect to the black people. Moreover, by saying “take care of yourself” might be interpreted to the point that, in Tibbs’ life, in the future he will still face other white people’s prejudice and discrimination against him only because he is a black person. Although Gillespie respects him for his professionalism and courage, other white people might still discriminate against him. Indeed, this points out that although some black people benefited from the civil right movements, there is still a long way to go to find their true “freedom”, and “social equality” in America. Moreover, as a democratic country where the emphasis is on personal freedom, and equally treatment, America was not totally free yet. American society might need more time to accept these minorities to be their country’s members. The civil rights movements in the1960s did change African Americans’ social status by lawful support. However, their freedom was still limited by the public’s perspective. In this basis, America still needs to improve their way to treat these minorities in the 1960s and even now.

The Girl Can’t Help it

The Girl Can’t Help it (1956)
Director: Frank Tashlin




Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?
A1: “The Girl Can’t Help it” was made in 1956, a comedic film which describes a story in music industry. After World War II, this film well depicts the affluent and joyful mood in society during that time. The story starts with a man named Tom Miller, who is a famous agent of the previous super star Julie London, and he was in love with London. In a meeting, Tom meets wealthy business man Marty Murdock who used to be in prison for his business crime. Marty makes a deal with Tom, and asks Tom to assist him to turn his girlfriend Jerri Jordan into a super star. The reason why Marty does this is that he wants his girlfriend to have a higher reputation and achievement like his, and based on this same social status they can get married. However, although Jerri is a beautiful, attractive, and gorgeous woman, she cannot sing. Moreover, she tells Tom that she does not want to be a popular singer; she only wants to do housework, cooking meals for her lover, and taking care of her family. Unfortunately, Marty really dislikes Jerri cooking or doing housework: he even prohibits her to do these things. One day, Marty asks Tom and Jerri to go to his place for a meeting. On their way to Marty’s house, Jerri insists on having a picnic on a beach. During the picnic, Jerri tells Tom the story why she will be Marty’s grilfriend because Marty saved his father, and Jerri wants to devote herself to appreciate Marty’s goodness. From conversations, and previous meetings, Tom and Jerri fall in love with each other. In the meeting, Tom tells Marty the truth that Jerri really does not want to be a singer but a housekeeper. However, Marty forces Tom to keep helping train Jerri to be a popular singer. Next day, Tom takes Jerri to a rehearsal room; after listening to Jerri’s terrible voice, Tom realizes that Jerri cannot sing. By telling the truth to Marty, Marty takes a popular TV singer as an example to ask Jerri to sing, even to make a noise or scream; he is quite sure that his Jerri will be famous. Finally, Jerri does make a record based on Marty’s composition. Indeed, what she does is just make a terrible high pitch screaming in the middle of the song. After recording it, Tom takes the song to Chicago to meet a big jukebox business owner, Wheeler, and asks him to play Jerri’s song all over his jukebox machines. However, Marty and Wheeler are competitors in the jukebox business; after Wheeler knows that Jerri belongs to Marty’s business, he denies the offer. Marty figures out how to promote Jerri’s song by replacing all his competitors’ jukeboxes with his. He succeeds, and Jerri becomes a famous and popular singer. As Marty expects, Jerri is supposed to marry him; however, just before the wedding ceremony Jerri has the performance of her popular song. During the performance Jerri does not sing Marty’s piece, but her own creation to show her love to Tom. By singing this song, it proves that Jerri is a really good singer; it also indirectly shows that she can sing, but she does not want to sing. Indeed, to be a housewife is her ideal way of life. At the same time, Wheeler comes to the performance, and wants Marty to pay off what he owes for Wheeler’s jukeboxes. Clever Tom pushes Marty on the stage, and asks the audience to enjoy Marty’s performance of this popular song. In fact, Tom saves Marty’s life, moreover, Marty finds out his own interest to be a singer. Jerri and Tom get married in the end with the happy ending. Although “The Girl Can’t Help it” is a comedy mainly describing a story about music industry, it does reflect some points in Foner’s chapter 24. First, in the film it is not hard to observe that there are a lot of electronic devices, or housing devices like TVs, dishwashers, refrigerators in the house; these all point out the rising of consumer power during 1950s. Moreover, from Jerri’s outfits we can also clearly see that there are more choices in consumer power. Foner indicates this rising, and variety consumer powers as “the 1950s of a conception of freedom centered on economic abundance and consumer choice within the context of traditional family life” (Foner 873). Second, in the film from Marty, Tom, Jerri, their house decorations, furniture, electronic devices, and the luxurious nightclubs all point out that 1950s are an affluent period of time. It can be connected to Foner’s illustration based on this affluent period of time “one scholar has called the ‘golden age’ of capitalism, a period of economic expansion, stable prices, low unemployment , and rising standard of living that continued until 1973” (Foner 873). Finally, Jerri’s strong determination and orientation that she only wants to devote herself to her future family, her admiration to the marriage, and how she likes do house-work and cooking. Foner points out as this “1950s sought to convey the idea that women would find happiness in their roles as suburban homemakers” (Foner 880).



Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?
A2: In “The Girl Can’t Help it”, there is a scene that when Marty replaces all Wheeler’s jukeboxes, and puts in Jerri’s awful song in his jukebox; it is marvelous that finally this terrible piece of music will be a famous song. Moreover, it suddenly turns Jerri’s music career to the highest level. Indeed, this seems ridiculous how this awful piece will be a national-wide popular song, it also indirectly points out the power of mass media and promotion. Thus, consumers’ preference strongly affected by the mass media and their promotion, this shows how powerful mass media that time even could transform a awful song to a popular and famous song. In this film, there are many devices and scenes present the advance of people’s standard of living. In fact, there are many new technological devices like TVs, washing machines, and refrigerators which are normally used and owned by the public. Therefore, when Tom goes to Chicago for a business trip, a jet plane becomes his transportation that time, and when he calls Jerri; he just uses hotel’s telephone to make a call. The jet plane and telephone instance indicate that these technologies were became a common tools, and not considered a “high-tech” only for wealthy and governmental users. Rock music, no doubts, is the main focus and improvement in public culture in this film. In this film, people seem accept this new type of music illustration, and indeed, it becomes a popular style of music. Music became a necessary part to people’s daily lives, and might liberalize their thinking based on this new form of music: rock music. Moreover, the flourishing nightclubs on the street reveal that how people started to put emphasis on the enjoyment of entertainment.


Q3: What does the film reveal about attitudes toward gender, class, and race?
A3: First, in the perspective of gender, Jerri sends out a strong message through the whole film, what she eager to have is a marriage, and becomes a housekeeper at home. This strong orientation in Jerri shows in scenes like Jerri enjoys preparing a breakfast for Tom, and cooking Thanksgiving turkey in a pleasant mood. Indeed, this phenomena of a huge preference for marriage and being a housekeeper in 1950’s women Foner thinks that “Films TV shows and advertisements portrayed marriage as the most important goal of American women” (Foner 880).Regarding class, it is not hard to notice the different ways of life between wealthy business man Marty, and normal singer’s agent Tom. Although Tom’s house seems be in good taste and he has everything he needs. The huge gap between classes still reflects in Marty’s personal luxurious palace. The most vivid instance might be that Marty shows a film to Tom in a meeting by using his own projector and specialized operator. Indeed, he has his own small movie theater; if Tom wants to watch a movie, he might, like most people do, go to a movie theater. Therefore, Marty has his personal driver and servant. Even though people in 1950s, their standard of living were totally better, the rich and poor class conflict still existed that time. In race part, in the film, a lot of black performers in the club singing rock music illustrate that there was no boundary in rock music among different ethnic groups during that time. Moreover, because this non-barrier musical environment, it also indicates these black performers’ social status was moving upward.


Q4: What was the most important scene in the film?
A4: Again, in my own observation, the most important scene is when Marty replaces all Wheeler’s jukeboxes, and puts in Jerri awful song in his jukeboxes, finally this terrible piece of music will be a famous song in the nation. Indeed, it reflects how public in 1950’s were strongly affected by the power of mass media. This awful song becomes a popular one, and turns Jerri to be a super star only because this song is over and over playing in the jukeboxes, but not really an enjoyable good song. The people in 1950’s they did have their consumer power to make a choice among variety of choices. However, they should use well this consumer power through their own judgment and will, but not only based on mass media’s promotion. The “majority rule” seemed play a significant role to force public to obey “the majority” that time, even though the majority might be wrong like to put this awful song to be a popular hit in the nation. The people in 1950s had their own freedom in consumption. However, people should realize that the mass media is only a tool that passes information to the public. In fact, the public should use their own will to decide whether this is a good song or not, but not by others’ influences.

Pickup on South Street

Pickup on South Street (1953)
Director: Samuel Fuller




Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?
A1:“Pickup on South Street” was an anti-communism film made during the Cold War in the United States. The Cold War was not a traditional war, based on military battles, it turned into a more economical, technological, and ideological war. The American reaction of anti-communism really illustrated the ideological conflicts and circumstances in America. This film describes the intense and stressful social mood during the Cold War. Namely, the flourishing spy activities and strong anti-communist emotions were so vivid in this film. The story begins with a woman named Candy who is taking the subway in New York City with FBI agents following her. Without awareness, a pickpocket named Skip McCoy steals her wallet. However, in this wallet there is a very important microfilm that is associated with underground communist activity, both Candy and Skip do not know the fact, and will get involve in this unusual event. In fact, Candy is asked by her ex-boyfriend Joey to transport this film to his “customer.” Candy always does this transporting job for Joey, and Joey tells her inside the microfilm is a secret chemical formula that he would like to give to his opposed side clients for money. The fact is that Joey is really a communist, and sending America’s secrets to the communists. The FBI and police seek to know Skip’s place, and they pay money to an old lady, Moe, an informant. Then, the FBI agent Zara and captain Tiger go to Skip’s place, and ask him to turn in the secret microfilm. Moreover, they tell Skip the truth of this secret film is associated with underground communist activity, and promise that they will clean his crime record if Skip hands in the microfilm. Skip does not trust them and keeps pretending he is innocent. Wanting to find out for himself, Skip goes to the library and finds out the truth and importance of this microfilm. Meanwhile, Candy also gets Skip’s place address from the informant Moe, and sneaks in. Skip is not at home when she is searching for the microfilm. Suddenly Candy is knocked down by Skip when he is coming home. After Candy wakes up, they little by little fall in love with each other when discussing the microfilm. They have the conclusion that Candy needs to exchange the secret microfilm for some money. Candy goes back and asks Joey for money, and visits Skip again. However, the money is not enough to Skip’s appetite. Skip asks Candy for more money, and also tells her the importance of this film; moreover, the fact is that this microfilm is really associated with underground communist activity. She does not believe Skip, and goes home for more money to exchange the microfilm. However, when she goes home, she finds out the truth that Joey is really a communist. He then kills Moe after his failure to get Skip’s address. Finally, by Candy’s love and Moe’s death, Skip forgets his personal interests, and finally successfully finds out the lost microfilm from the higher rank underground communists. Just as the police promised, his criminal history record is cleared after he hands in the microfilm. Indeed, this film reflects the main idea of how anti-communist mentalities was so advocated and emphasized during the Cold War. This film also really reveals some of Foner’s points of view regarding the Cold War in Chapter 23. First, no doubt, the anti-communist mentality was strongly advocated during the Cold War. The main two political groups, America and the Soviet Union, they fight against each other not in physical war, but more economically and ideologically. As a matter of fact, anti-communism is an ideological war that was not only supported by the government, but also considered a social phenomena supported by the public. Foner points out the evidence in this special social phenomena during the Cold War, “Local anticommunist groups forced public libraries to remove from their shelves ‘un American’ books like the tales of Robin Hood, who took from the rich to give to the poor” (Foner 864). Moreover, this anti-communist mood influenced the education: “Universities refused to allow leftwing speakers to appear on campus and fired teachers who refused to sign loyalty oaths or to testify against others” (Foner 864). Indeed, this really distorted the meaning of “democracy” and “freedom”. Second, from the film it is not hard to observe the flourishing spy activities, and strong involvement like local police and FBI. Foner indicates that how these government agencies have strong association with these spy activities, and how powerful they were during that time “ the FBI developed files on thousands of American citizens, including political dissenters, homosexuals, and others, most of whom had no connection to communism” (Foner 865). Finally, the atmosphere of fear was so clear and vivid during the Cold War. In fact, the anti-communist mentality strongly affected people’s daily life, and Foner points out evidence that, “Throughout the country in the late 1940s and 1950s, those who failed to testify about their past and present political beliefs and to inform on possible communists frequently lost their jobs” (Foner 864) to illustrate how it strongly affected people’s lives. This film does not reflect the points of the reason how Cold War emerges after World War II, but it does illustrate the strong effects of anti-communism.


Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?
A2:Again, the strong anti-communist mentality and actual activities really increased intense mood in America during the Cold War. Based on this film, a secret microfilm can affect people’s lives, even brush away a criminal’s crime record. From the trailing FBI agents and police and informant Moe’s death, these illustrate how this intense mood affects people’s daily lives and their own lives. Moreover, when Candy finds out that her ex-boyfriend is a communist, her reaction is immediately changed into protecting Skip by not revealing his living place. This film also reflects how Americans think about communists as a group of people who will do everything to achieve their goal; they will even beat a woman or kill an old lady. This really shows how Americans think that communists are brutal and unethical evil. Finally, also the most important one is that even like Skip, a pickpocket can give up his personal interests to fight against the communism. In fact, this shows how everyone in the Unites States was united together against communism, even a criminal like Skip is not an exception. Namely, even a criminal knows that he should stop communist’s evil behavior once he can. Therefore, the government agency like FBI would like to get rid of a criminal’s crime record, only because this criminal helps them fight against communism. This indirectly shows government’s strong determination and stand point that they take against communism as a priority in the country.


Q3: What does the film reveal about attitudes toward gender, class, and race?
A3: “Pickup on South Street” really does not mention any issue or conflict regarding class and race. However, in gender, some perspectives and issues emerge in the film.
First, there is the female character Candy; she is abused by both Skip and her ex-boyfriend Joey. In Skip’s case, it is first the serous pull and drag of having her purse, then, there is another scene that when Candy is passed out, Skip splash beer on her face to wake her up. Indeed, this is not very respectful, and should be considered to underrate women. Moreover, in Joey case, when Candy held the piece of the microfilm to Joey, he reacts and gives Candy a serious beating. This physical violation in the film strongly underrates women’s social status, and seemed like women’s liberty and social status was moving backward at that time. In contrast, women’s sexual-determination was very liberal. For instance, Candy falls in love with Skip in such a short time; moreover, they are hugging and kissing when they first met. These all illustrate women having their own rights to determine who they want to love, and how soon this relationship will go through. Women’s liberty, in this perspective, is more advanced than before. They have high sexual-determination to make their own decisions in having a relationship.


Q4: What was the most important scene in the film?
Q4: The most important and significant scene is the scene that before Joey kills Moe with a pistol. Just before Moe is killed by Joey, Moe realizes that Joey is a communist, and says “I just don’t like them (communists)”. Indeed, this reveals a problem that most of the public did not know the reasons why they disliked and feared anything that associated with communism. By supporting government, and the pressure from the general public’s will, people were forced to perceive a message that this is a “right way” to fight against communism, and was the only way to deal with communism. Indeed, this really deprived the public’s freedom of having other political beliefs; moreover, their freedom was constrained by the intense mood of who associated with communism. For instance, Foner points out that “States and localities required loyalty oaths of teachers, pharmacists, and members of other professions, and they banned communists from fishing, holding a driver’s license, and in Indiana, working as a professional wrestler” (Foner 864). Consequently, no one wanted to be associated with communism, and the government made a clear line to present their strong will against communism. In another perspective, this might indirectly illustrate that during that time, the government asked people to unite together against communism. Moreover, anti-communism is advocated to be a practical patriotic behavior that supported government and country. Just as what Foner says, “ As the historian Henry Steele Commager argued in a 1947 magazine article, the anticommunist crusade promoted a new definition of loyalty- conformity”(Foner 865). During the Cold World, loyalty to country might only be conformed to the government’s point of view. Moe, in this perspective, is also a conformer who follows government’s expectation or we should say order to show her loyalty to America.

The Purple Heart

The Purple Heart (1944)
Director: Lewis Milestone




Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?
A1: This film was made in almost the ending period of World War II. During World War II period, America joined the war after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. After that, in World War II there were two groups of countries against each other: the Allies and the Axis. However, this film was a propaganda movie that emphasized the unreasonable and brutal mentality of the Japanese. This film was based on the historical event called “The Doolittle Bombing Action” in which the American attacked Japan. The main characters are eight pilots who failed in their mission in a crash-landing and are caught by the Japanese as prisoners. The Japanese set up a military court to judge these prisoners as having committed the crime of attacking non-military public and facilities in Japan. Moreover, a Chinese witness points out how brutal these American pilots are when they crash-landed in China since they also attacked the non-military public in China. However, this is just a lie that this Chinese witness provided. Moreover, the Japanese provided another fake video to accuse American pilots of crimes. After this fake evidence, the Chinese witness is killed by his son, who wants to defend the Chinese position in the war from his father’s betrayal. Therefore, the Japanese also force these pilots to tell a military secret, not surprisingly, these pilots still do not admit to committing these crimes, do not want to tell the secret, and are sent to the jail. In the jail, the Japanese try to monitor their conversation, and force them one by one to tell the secret by cruel torturing. After tortures, one soldier loses his mind, and one cannot talk, the one with plastic gloves seems has serious damage on his hands. However, as an American soldier, they still take their responsibility to resist the Japanese’s savagery, and protect the country’s military secret. Finally, the Japanese judges want to make a deal with these pilots; the deal is once they tell the Japanese about American military secret of airplane carrier, they will be sent to a military camp and escape from death. Consequently, all these patriotic pilots are not afraid of death, they unite together to refuse to betray their country, and do not expose the military secret to the brutal Japanese. No doubt, they are sent to be executed. In fact, these pilots are not afraid of death; after receiving the sentence of death, they all singing “Glory Hallelujah” when walking back to the jail in the end of the film. Indeed, this singing shows their patriotic hearts are be loyal to America, they are fearless of the brutal Japanese and death. In fact, this film did reflect some of Foner’s points of view in Chapter 22. First, when eight pilots are interrogated by the Japanese judge, they strongly present their points of view against Japanese manipulation of attacking non-military public, even in the scene that one pilot says “Even you kill us, other American will keep fighting until we win.” This is the best illustration of “freedom of speech”; these pilots are not afraid of the opposition. Indeed, they are the fighters who protect the “freedom of speech”. Foner points out that “President Roosevelt spoke eloquently of a future world order founded on the ‘essential human freedoms’: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom of want, and freedom from fear. The four freedoms became Roosevelt’s favorite statement of Allied aims” (Foner 796). Indeed, these pilots embody the “freedom of speech” in the film by protecting the truth and against the unreasonable enemy during World War II. Second, Foner indicates that “Allied victory saved mankind from a living nightmare- a worldwide system of dictatorial rule and slave labor in which people deemed inferior suffered the fate of European Jews and of the victims of Japanese outrages in Asia” (Foner 837). In this film, these eight pilots’ courage reflects Foner’s point of being a savior to those victims in World War II, and is considered to be the representative of America’s role in World War II. They protect the “truth” of the Japanese’s unreasonable accusation, and sacrifice themselves in contrast to the brutal Japanese. In fact, these American pilots express the seeds of justice, and against the imperialism and tyranny just like America did during World War II. Third, there is a vivid scene in the film that after the Japanese know their victory in a certain battle, all the Japanese soldiers are waving their swords, and dancing with each other in the military court; moreover, the court is immediately canceled. This scene might connect to Foner’s point “Government propaganda and war films portrayed the Japanese foe as rats, dogs, gorillas, and snakes- bestial and subhuman” (Foner 822). Based on Foner’s point, this scene really describes the Japanese as an inferior and inhumane people, and how American disliked their enemy. Finally, the series of brutal tortures in the film illustrate what the Americans’ perspective of the Japanese during World War II; they think they are cruel and ferocious. Foner indicates why American thought about their enemy in this way “ In the United States, long-standing prejudice and the shocking attack on Pearl Harbor combined to produce an unprecedented hatred of Japan”(Foner 822). In my own observation, these four main points were what I found that related to Foner’s points in Chapter 22, since this is a propaganda film based on a true military events in China and Japan, this film might only cover a few materials and changes in American society during World War II period.

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?
A2:
The anti-Japanese mentality is obviously depicted through the whole movie. Indeed, in my explanation, in this propaganda film, the main point what director wants to promote is to describe how savage and unreasonable Japanese are, and indirectly unite Americans to be stronger during the wartime. In the film, there are many scenes and details describe the brutal and cruel Japanese. For instance, the series of tortures that makes American pilots become deaf, a lunatic, and seriously injured in the hands. Moreover, the most vivid scene in the film is that after the Japanese receive news of their victory; how brutal they are, they wave their swords, and dance to celebrate the victory; this seems they are advocating Japan to be an “armed forces” country. These instances in the film all embody how Americans thought about Japanese as savage and brutal people, and how Americans loathed them in interpreting their behavior in such unreasonable ways. During the wartime, what people need is a hero to encourage public to keep against their enemy. During World War II, it was not an exception. In this film, the director provided eight heroes to represent America against the Japanese tyrannical power. Although they sacrifice in the end, they do represent Americans’ idea and will oppose tyranny and imperialism, and indirectly encourage people at home to support their country. My final point is that the eight pilots, act as a sacrifice to keep America’s military secret do show and promote the country’s patriotism; at the same time this revels the strong patriotic mood in the United States during World War II period.

Q3: What does the film reveal about attitudes toward gender, class, and race?
A3:
This film really does not mention about issues or conflicts in class and gender, but focuses on the topic of race. Regarding race, this movie is no doubt a very racist film. First it is about the Japanese. Since the anti-Japanese mood was strong in the U.S. and the Japanese were the enemy in World War II opposing the Americans, again, the director depicts the Japanese as unbelievably brutal by examples of torture, and the unreasonable reaction of the victory in a battle illustrates how Japanese like to “fight” and advocate “armed forces”. Second, the Chinese are discriminated against in this film by the prejudice of depicting this Chinese character. This Chinese is a betrayer who tells Japanese the lie to slander American pilots. He wears old-fashioned clothes and acts like very timid and crafty in reporting the fake evidence to the judge. However, not every Chinese person was like this character during that time; that’s why another Chinese character, his son, appears to kill his father who betrayed the Americans. This really balances what Americans thought about Chinese, and eased the prejudice and what a typical Chinese should be in a negative way.


Q4: What was the most important scene in the film?
A4:
In my own observation, the most important scene is the final scene that when eight pilots know they are sending to be executed, they are all joyfully singing a song of “Glory Hallelujah”, and seem not afraid of death. Indeed, their reaction of joy is based on their successfully defending American military secret from the Japanese. In this aspect, they do defeat the Japanese, and enjoy their glory. Even though, they are going to die, they are honorable and are successful against Japanese imperialism. Therefore, in contrast, it emphasizes the Japanese failure in forcing these pilots; it also indirectly points out that “justice” and “truth” will win in the final moment. These eight pilots represent as America to fight against Japanese in World War II. Just like in the war, the military court shows how Japanese are brutal, unreasonable, and advocate “armed forces”. In the American perspective, they advocate “freedom of speech”, “the truth” and not exposing military secret only for their personal good. Indeed, the final scene presents America’s determination in against the Japanese and imperialism, even they will sacrifice themselves in death, they will keep fighting until they die, and protect the “truth” or I should say “freedom” against Japanese and imperialism. The final scene does a great job to present the main purpose of a propaganda film, and makes audience loathe the Japanese when these eight pilots are executed, at the same time, promotes these eight heroes gratefully in making a decision to fight against Japanese imperialism.