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Two Amazing Documentaries!

The First Motion Picture Unit: When Hollywood Went to War
& Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress

Wednesday, May 14, 2014
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm — Reception
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm — The First Motion Picture Unit: When Hollywood Went to War
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm — Trailer: The Memphis Belle (1990) and remarks by Mr. Matthew Modine
7:15 pm – 8:00 pm — Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944) by director William Wyler
Solomon Victory Theater

Corporal Alan Ladd, 2nd Lieutenant William Holden, Captain Ronald Reagan, Major Clark Gable and Colonel James Stewart had more in common than just acting; they were all service men, members of the US Army Air Forces’ First Motion Picture Unit.

The FMPU produced more than 400 propaganda and training films, including the 1944 William Wyler documentary Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. Many of us learned the story of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 whose crew was the first to complete 25 missions and return to the United States, from the 1990 Warner Brothers film, inspired by the documentary, starring Matthew Modine. Join us for a screening of both the 1944 documentary and a brand new documentary on The First Motion Picture Unit: When Hollywood Went to War produced by Warner Brothers featuring rare home movies, film and newsreel footage that helped shape America’s involvement in World War II. Mr. Modine will introduce the documentaries. A reception precedes the screening. This event is free and open to the public but requires reservations.

RSVP online now.

NOVA’s D-Day’s Sunken Secrets
Special Sneak Preview!

Thursday, May 22, 2014
5:00 pm Reception | 6:00 pm Screening
Solomon Victory Theater

In D-Day’s Sunken Secrets, NOVA shows that it was a combination of extraordinary operational planning along with significant scientific innovations that ultimately led the Allies to prevail. Now, 70 years later, NOVA has exclusive access to a unique international collaboration between military historians, archaeologists and specialist divers as they carry out the most extensive survey ever done of the seabed bordering the legendary Normandy beachheads. The teams use submersibles, underwater robots and the latest 3D mapping tools to discover, identify and plot the relics on the sea floor in a special presentation that illustrates the complexity that went into the design, engineering and implementation of the entire D-Day operation. Join us for this special sneak preview screening before it airs on PBS nationwide the following week. A reception precedes the screening. This event is free and open to the public but requires reservations.

RSVP online now.

Family Screening and Workshop:
NOVA D-Day’s Sunken Secrets

Saturday, May 24, 2014
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Stage Door Canteen

Join us for a family workshop and advanced screening of segments of the NOVA documentary, D-Day’s Sunken Secrets. The film highlights the story of the engineers and scientists whose ingenuity and incredible skill critical to the success of the D-Day invasion. Segments of the film will be paired with hands-on activities exploring the science of sonar and engineering design. The event is free and open to families. Because seating is limited, reservations are required.

RSVP online now.

Beaches of Red

Thursday, May 29, 2014
5:00 pm Reception | 6:00 pm Screening
Solomon Victory Theater

Beaches of Red, a documentary by the Department of Defense’s Defense Media Activity, covers the development and deployment of Higgins landing craft during World War II. Filmmaker Joshua Sheppard will introduce his film and upon its conclusion lead a discussion with local WWII veteran John Capretto, Museum Director of Collections Tom Czekanski and Historian Tommy Lofton, all featured in the film. This sneak preview, that will be shown on the Military Channel and Pentagon TV, begins with a historical overview of the circumstances necessitating the development of landing craft, follows the development of Higgins boats, looks at their use at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Normandy, and concludes with a look at how landing craft technology continues to influence amphibious tactics. A reception precedes the screening. This event is free and open to the public but requires reservations.

RSVP online now.

Mon Cher Camarade

Tuesday, June 3, 2014
5:00 pm Reception | 6:00 pm Screening
Solomon Victory Theater

Lafayette-based filmmaker Pat Mire will join us to introduce his documentary that acknowledges the unique and important contributions of French-speaking Cajun soldiers, an often overlooked yet important aspect of the war effort. During World War II, hundreds of French-speaking Cajun men from South Louisiana enlisted in the US military. French-speaking Cajuns not only worked with the French resistance after D-Day, but they also provided the US Army’s most effective means of communication with local authorities and the civilian population which, in turn, provided critical support and intelligence to the American army. This event is free and open to the public but requires reservations.

RSVP online now.

For more information on any of our screenings call 504-528-1944 x 229.