Sergeant York - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[discussimdb]

Fan of Sergeant York or just want to share your movie knowledge? This topic is dedicated to all trivia and questions related to Sergeant York

[francisco]

When Sergeant York performed the acts that won him the Medal of Honor, he was actually a corporal at the time.

[aaron]

William Keighley was scheduled to direct, but when the starting date was postponed, he went on to another film.

[tom]

This picture was shown on the deck of the USS Enterprise (CV-6), to the officers and crew on the evening of Saturday, December 6, 1941, when the carrier was anchored off Hawaii. The next day was the Japanese attack which brought the United States into World War II. Some of the Enterprise's aircraft took part in repulsing attacking Japanese planes, when in the process of augmenting SBD dive bomber aircraft, and F4F Wildcats based at NAS Ford Island. Several were lost, mostly due to friendly anti-aircraft fire.

[frances]

The scene where Alvin becomes converted because of the bolt of lightning was an invention of the screenwriters. In reality Alvin C. York was converted from his hard-drinking, roustabout ways to a Sunday-school teacher by his wife, and it was a longer and less dramatic process, unsuitable for a film depiction.

[cameron]

The producer, Jesse Lasky suggested Jane Russell for the part of "Gracie" and Helen Wood, Linda Hayes and Susan Peters tested for the role; Mary Nash tested for "Mother York," and Pat O'Brien and Ronald Reagan were tested for the role of "Sergeant York." Charles Root was also considered for a role in the film.

[bessie]

Alvin C. York himself was on the set for a few days during filming. When one of the crew members tactlessly asked him how many "Jerries" he had killed, York started sobbing so vehemently he threw up. The crew member was nearly fired, but the next day, York demanded that he keep his job.

[michele]

When this movie was made, America was not taking part in World War II. At this time a number of Hollywood studios were pro-American involvement in the war. This movie is one of a number of films made during the late 1930s and early 1940s that represented pro-American intervention in the war. These films include: A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941), Man Hunt (1941), Foreign Correspondent (1940), The Mortal Storm (1940), Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939).

[riley]

Alvin C. York Medal of Honor citation, verbatim. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting theMedal of Honor to YORK, ALVIN C.Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company G, 328th Infantry, 82d Division. Place and date: Near Chatel-Chehery, France, 8 October 1918. Entered service at: Pall Mall, Tenn. Born: 13 December 1887, Fentress County, Tenn. G.O. No.: 59, W.D., 1919.Citation After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and 3 other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command. Fearlessly leading 7 men, he charged with great daring a machinegun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns.

[bessie]

The directing gig was turned down by Michael Curtiz, Henry Koster, Henry Hathaway, Victor Fleming and Norman Taurog before it was finally offered to Howard Hawks. He was always Gary Cooper's choice for director and this choice was vindicated with Hawks' sole Academy Award nomination.

[ivan]

According to the star himself, this was the first movie Clint Eastwood saw.

[steve]

A press release dated July 2, 1941 states that the film was the first motion picture to be made into a stage play. It was transcribed by Robert Porterfield, who made his debut in this film.

[mathew]

Principal photography occurred between February and late April 1941. The film was criticized by pacifists for its pro-war stance.

[norma]

The world premiere in New York City, New York on July 2, 1941 was attended by Alvin C. York and Gary Cooper, as well as producers Jesse L. Lasky and Hal B. Wallis and many well-known government and Army officials.

[amber]

Alvin C. York had been approached by producer Jesse Lasky several times, beginning in 1919, to allow a movie to be made of his life, but had refused, believing that "This uniform ain't for sale." Lasky convinced York that, with war threatening in Europe, it was his patriotic duty to allow the film to proceed. York finally agreed - but only on three conditions. First, York's share of the profits would be contributed to a Bible School York wanted constructed. Second, no cigarette smoking actress could be chosen to play his wife. Third, that only Gary Cooper, could recreate his life on screen. Cooper at first turned down the role, but when York himself contacted the star with a personal plea, Cooper agreed to do the picture.

[frances]

Gary Cooper was initially reluctant about playing a seemingly too-good-to-be-true character. It was only after he met the real Sergeant Alvin C. York that he reconsidered.

[caroline]

This film earned legendary director Howard Hawks his only Best Director Oscar nomination.