Tweet 2014 approaching 100th anniversary of start of WW1

LUSITANIA MURDER ON THE ATLANTIC, a recent British tv series of the ocean liner sinking during the war and it's ramifications about submarine warfare on civilians. An event which allegedly brought the U.S. into WW1 in 1917.

And there is Winsor McCay's SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA (1919?)

I haven't seen any of the German films about von Richthofen, is he subject to the same sort of hagiographical leanings in Germany as he is with us? Here he's been characterized as The Honorable Enemy, as was Rommel in WWII.

Actually no - the Baron has been far more legendary in the english-speaking world, and the 2008 film was to my knowledge the first one made in Germany. That is I guess mostly due to German war heroes being, well, lets say somewhat out of fashion since 1945. Even with Rommel it took Hollywood and James Mason to bring him to the movies, though gallant submarine captains and airfighters appeared occassionally on 1950`s screens. 2008`s "Red Baron" failed, because they tried to show him as both cool and politically correct, and that took the edge off whatever was deemed to be fascinating about him. One could have settled either for a serious war movie or a mere action spectacle. For the first they missed the skills, for the latter the guts, and the result was a bit like a coitus interruptus...

I haven't seen any of the German films about von Richthofen, is he subject to the same sort of hagiographical leanings in Germany as he is with us? Here he's been characterized as The Honorable Enemy, as was Rommel in WWII.

Actually no - the Baron has been far more legendary in the english-speaking world, and the 2008 film was to my knowledge the first one made in Germany. That is I guess mostly due to German war heroes being, well, lets say somewhat out of fashion since 1945. Even with Rommel it took Hollywood and James Mason to bring him to the movies, though gallant submarine captains and airfighters appeared occassionally on 1950`s screens. 2008`s "Red Baron" failed, because they tried to show him as both cool and politically correct, and that took the edge off whatever was deemed to be fascinating about him. One could have settled either for a serious war movie or a mere action spectacle. For the first they missed the skills, for the latter the guts, and the result was a bit like a coitus interruptus...

In the U.S. I suspect that much of the Baron's fame may rest on the shoulders of a comic strip beagle. Snoopy, the dog in Charles Schultz's long-running comic strip Peanuts, had an alter ego as a WWI Flying Ace:

From wikipedia:
One of Snoopy's most famous alter-egos is as the World War I Flying Ace (first appearance, October 10, 1965), often seen battling his arch-enemy, Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron). When assuming this personality, Snoopy would don goggles, a flying helmet and a scarf and climb on top of his doghouse, which he claimed was a Sopwith Camel. The Red Baron, like other adult figures in Peanuts, was never drawn in a strip; his presence was indicated through the bullet holes that would riddle the doghouse, and Snoopy's fist-shaking and cries of "Curse you, Red Baron!" while his "Sopwith Camel" doghouse plummeted to earth trailing smoke.

There was even a hit pop song about Snoopy and the Red Baron. A gawdawful hit pop song, but a hit.

[Christopher Jacobs]

There was even a hit pop song about Snoopy and the Red Baron. A gawdawful hit pop song, but a hit.

I used to have that song on a 45 back when I was a kid! Loved it at the time. Then the group's "stereo" LP came out and had the music coming from one channel only with the vocals coming from the other channel only. I forget which side the sound effects came out of. The mono version was better. But getting only slightly more back to topic, one of the Peanuts TV specials from that time (or was it one of the theatrical films?) had a music video with that song, showing Snoopy on his doghouse flying through the clouds and getting shot up!

There was even a hit pop song about Snoopy and the Red Baron. A gawdawful hit pop song, but a hit.

I used to have that song on a 45 back when I was a kid! Loved it at the time. Then the group's "stereo" LP came out and had the music coming from one channel only with the vocals coming from the other channel only. I forget which side the sound effects came out of. The mono version was better. But getting only slightly more back to topic, one of the Peanuts TV specials from that time (or was it one of the theatrical films?) had a music video with that song, showing Snoopy on his doghouse flying through the clouds and getting shot up!

Well, here ya go! Boy, you can find anything on youtube, can't you?


I'd forgotten it was a Christmas song. I will strive to forget it again.

[Christopher Jacobs]

There was even a hit pop song about Snoopy and the Red Baron. A gawdawful hit pop song, but a hit.

I used to have that song on a 45 back when I was a kid! Loved it at the time. Then the group's "stereo" LP came out and had the music coming from one channel only with the vocals coming from the other channel only. I forget which side the sound effects came out of. The mono version was better. But getting only slightly more back to topic, one of the Peanuts TV specials from that time (or was it one of the theatrical films?) had a music video with that song, showing Snoopy on his doghouse flying through the clouds and getting shot up!

Well, here ya go! Boy, you can find anything on youtube, can't you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlf---13Q0g" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I'd forgotten it was a Christmas song. I will strive to forget it again.

Well, it wasn't originally a Christmas song. They changed the words for that version. I can't recall if there was also a Snoopy video using the original words or just the TV performance by the band called The Royal Guardsmen.

Well, it wasn't originally a Christmas song. They changed the words for that version. I can't recall if there was also a Snoopy video using the original words or just the TV performance by the band called The Royal Guardsmen.

Chris, it frightens me that you know this. Although, I wish I could have back all the grey cells I sucked up remembering terrible pop tunes. Not to mention, I've come over all philosophical, ruminating "yesterday's legendary WWI flying ace is now the nemesis of a cartoon beagle." Oh, how the mighty, etc. etc.

Actually I was as well introduced to the Baron through Snoopy...

Actually I was as well introduced to the Baron through Snoopy...

I am positively awash in irony.

A question to specialists: Is WWI the first war recorded on film?

A question to specialists: Is WWI the first war recorded on film?

British Pathe has some Boer War material up on their site, identified by Mr. Bioscope:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/boer- ... ial-reel-2" target="_blank

Amazing, so far I only knew Edison reenactments made in California...

J. Stuart Blackton reenacted the sinking of the Maine for the Spanish American War.

Astonishing! The scenes from Victoria's 1897 Jubilee are of equal quality. Makes those Span-Am War re-enactments look primitive.

[silentfilm]

The Boer War, The Spanish-American War, and the Russo-Japanese War were filmed (or at least re-created) before WW I.

THE LOVE LIGHT(1921) starring Mary Pickford and directed by Frances Marion takes place during WW1. An enemy agent washes ashore of an idyllic village. If anyone remembers the Donald Sutherland WW2 spy film EYE OF THE NEEDLE, the story line is similar to TLL despite being made 60 years apart and of course minus any 'sex' scenes in the Pickford film.

Having just watched tonight a copy of an old AMC presentation of Barbed Wire, 1927, I'm surprized I haven't heard more about this remarkable picture--one of the very best of the Great War genre. Though Pola Negri's allure has heretofor somewhat escaped me, she seemed perfect for this role (that of a peasant girl), and her co-star--what's-his-name--was likewise outstanding. I can understand why some might regard the ending as excessively melodramatic, but it accurately reflects the near-panic of many thoughtful people at this time (such as Wilson) that the enormous sacrifice for victory was being undone by vindictiveness on the part of the victors; as was proved, shortly, to be the very case.

The accompanying unidentified piano score was very good, but this great film cries out for the full Mont Alto-Robt. Israel-Carl Davis treatment.

The piano score to Barbed Wire was by Philip Carli.

[silentfilm]

Clive Brook and Pola Negri in Barbed Wire (1927).

Finally had the opportunity to watch Griffith's Hearts of the World, finding it a fascinating & powerfull war-time historical document. As a "dramatic narrative," however, it simply can't in my opinion compare with Big Parade, Wings, Barbed Wire, & many others, because too many elements strike me as incoherent--such as "the Boy" committing the unforgivable crime under international law of donning the enemy's uniform to return to his village...to what end? Or leaving the wounded Hun in plain sight, rather than hiding the body. Or the boy's disposal of their mother's body in their own living space, rather than summoning a priest for a respectful burial. Perhaps the great urgency of getting his film before the public while the war raged deprived Griffith of the leisure to think his story out more carefully.

In the U.S. I suspect that much of the Baron's fame may rest on the shoulders of a comic strip beagle. Snoopy, the dog in Charles Schultz's long-running comic strip Peanuts, had an alter ego as a WWI Flying Ace:

Filmmaker's fascination with the Baron goes way back before Snoopy was even a gleam in his mother's eye. Any aviation movie set during WWI invariably showed the honor and gallantry up in the skies -- even among one's enemies. Directors like Hawks and Wellman (and others who flew) had an affinity with the Romance of the Air, and it shows in their films. Invariably there is a scene where a German ace has his sights on a plane with engine troubles and allows the pilot to attempt to get back to his base in one piece. It's the honorable thing to do. I know, strange concept for a war. And when a pilot doesn't return the enemy makes a pass over their base to drop a bouquet of flowers.

If the Baron himself is not being portrayed in these many scenes his spirit is being enacted by the filmmakers.