James E. Wise

As with his other works on the scores of Hollywood movie stars who served their country in the armed forces, James E. White Jr. and his co-author on this book Scott Baron deliver chapter-long profiles of actors (this time non-Americans) who answered the call (and in some cases, the demands) of their countries in one or more of the world's ceaseless parade of wars. Some of the stars included simply did their time in relatively easy non-combatant work. Others, such as Herbert Marshall, Anthony Quayle, and David Niven, might surprise the reader with the accounts of their heroics, sacrifice, and varied and dangerous experiences. The book concentrates largely on European (mainly British) actors, but there are plenty of exceptions from other countries, including such actors as Toshiro Mifune and Hardy Kruger, who served in the forces of America's one time enemies. All of Wise's books in this format are informative and interesting and are often remarkably detailed. The books are also a substantial refutation to those who look down on the patriotism of actors.… (more)

Hollywood often gets a bad rap from conservatives on the supposed lack of patriotism or commitment to their country by actors. As an actor veteran, I'm especially sensitive to such canards. As a film historian, I'm aware of how false such charges are. Captain James E. Wise Jr. has written a handful of books on actors from all periods of Hollywood history who answered the call of their country and did so often at great risk. STARS IN BLUE is his volume devoted to American navy personnel from the ranks of the movie kingdom. White starts his book with the remarkable heroism of Eddie Albert during the invasion of Tarawa. Albert, best known probably for the TV comedy GREEN ACRES, rescued nearly 50 Marines trapped under murderous machine-gun fire by repeatedly bringing his Coast Guard landing craft in close to shore, and was awarded the Bronze Star for doing so. The author (along with co-author Anne Collier Rehill) goes on to describe the exploits that earned John Howard the Navy Cross (in the Navy, second only to the Medal of Honor as an award for bravery) and which gained fighter pilot Wayne Morris four Distinguished Flying Crosses and "ace" status for shooting down 7 Japanese Zeros. Dozens of actors who served with distinction in World Wars I & II, Korea, and Vietnam are included, with remarkable detail as to the records of their service and bravery. White's and Rehill's research is superb, relying not merely on secondary sources but on original government documents. The efforts (and sometimes suffering) of these and others (such as Henry Fonda, Robert Taylor, Gene Kelly, Paul Newman, Humphrey Bogart, and Harry Belafonte) should make anyone think twice before blanket dismissal of the patriotism of the movie colony. It's a fascinating read.… (more)