Love it!

Guiseppi wrote on Oct 5^th, 2010 at 10:03pm:

yeah really

Good One... 

"Barbarella!" Forgot about that.......thing.

The thing about "Cat Ballou" is that I don't really remember her lines. It's the rest of the cast that made it as good as it is.

I don't think she ever "got" it.

Charlie

Officially, that is known as the Jane Fonda Federal Relief Facility.

Jerry

I'm sure among many others, there have been circumstances better to be acknowledged.

A two-time American Olympic gold medal winner volunteered for the British cause at the outbreak of WWII when our government was reluctant to be involved and enacted regulations that made it illegal to join a warring power's military service with a $10,000 fine, several years' imprisonment, and loss of American citizenship.  Knowing he would be an outlaw in his own country, he joined the RAF's 601 Squadron and was considered an expert pilot. 

He died in the Battle of Britain and was honored in England with a plaque engraved, "died that England might live."  He had no obligation to fight for England. 

By this time, there were also several other American fliers at his funeral.  In all, seven U.S. citizens flew in the battle.  Members of other countries participated, too.  Only Americans were breaking the laws of their country by flying.  Despite, thousands more enlisted in the RAF, British army, as members of their home guard, and with Canadian forces.  Seventy also assisted with the retreat from Dunkirque. 

Initially there was stiff resistance from both countries when they involved themselves in the Home Guard, they would be shot as guerrilla fighters if Germany occupied London, but they carried Tommy guns and were known as "the gangsters" and refused to return home.  All knew they were breaking American law.  The FBI was posted at Canadian crossings to prevent U.S. citizens from crossing to enlist. 

Some had seen the Howard Hughes film "Hell's Angels" and were inspired, American and British air force of WWI. Originally their enthusiasm made them unaware how serious their offense was regarded by the U.S. for jeopardizing U.S. neutrality.  Ordered back on the next ship, they instead headed straight for the British Air Ministry.

By the end of the Battle of Britain, so many enlisted they had their own unit -- Eagle Squadron.  October 1940, 71 Squadron was welcomed to the rank, followed by two more, 121 and 133.  While defying U.S. law, one remark was, "To fight side by side with these people is the greatest of priviledges."

Hollywood then came calling, producer Walter Wanger, who later developed an eye for five-time Oscar nomimee Susan Hayward, she was robbed once and then later won.  He targeted 71 Squadron for the movie named, "Eagle Squadron." A young Robert Stack starred.

There were 244 Americans involved in three Eagle Squadrons.  While shooting down seventy German planes, 40% did not survive.  Two received the Distinguished Cross, Newton Anderson of New Orleans earned the most coveted RAF accolade, commander of the all-British 222 Squadron.

Wangler asked the BR Air Ministry to withdraw the squadron from action for the pic.  He was politely told where he could go.  Opening scenes are real, the best part, the rest Hollywood fiction.  American pilots in England walked out on the London opening, boos filled the theatre from their English counterparts.


Whatever is thought of these war rebels, I'm not aware of an American memorial for them.  A consideration for Jane is comparatively out of the question.

two cents.