Description
Object description
Publicity poster for the documentary film 'The Memphis Belle' (1944)
Physical description
Whole: The poster has a sepia coloured background displaying an aerial photograph of bombs falling on enemy territory, and is framed with a white border. Across the top there are three lines of cursive text in white type with a cut-out photograph of a B-17 Flying Fortress beneath. In the centre are three lines of white text on a blue background, with a US Army Air Force star insignia in orange; beneath are 9 lines of red text on a white background and three photographs. Across the bottom are four lines of white text on a blue background.
Image: At the top, a colourised photograph of the B-17 Flying Fortress (41-24485) "Memphis Belle"depicting the aircraft's port nose and pin-up nose art. At the bottom are three colourised photographs depicting: a bombardier manning the nose guns inside a B-17 Flying Fortress, and a ground crewman cleaning the perspex on the turret; the 10 members of the crew of the Memphis Belle including pilot, Colonel Robert Morgan, beneath the nose of their aircraft; and four ground crewmen riding a bomb trolley.
Text: At the top 'Ten men on a Bombing Mission... You're the Eleventh! Target! Germany!' In the centre: 'The War Department presents The Memphis Belle in Technicolour' with 'Just one plane and one crew. In one squadron. In one group. Of one wing. Of one air force. Out of fifteen United States Army Air Forces.' beneath. Across the bottom, 'Photographed by US 8th Air Force Photographers and Combat Crew Members. Produced by US 8th Air Force Photographic Section in cooperation with Army Air Forces First Motion Picture Unit. Distributed by Paramount Pictures Inc. For Office of War Information through War Activities Committee- Motion Picture Industry.'
History note
'The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress' is a 1944 documentary film which ostensibly provides an account of the final mission of the crew of the Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. In May 1943 the Memphis Belle became the first US Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States.
The dramatic 16 mm color film of actual battles was made by three cinematographers, including First Lieutenant Harold J Tannenbaum. Tannenbaum, a veteran of the First World War, was killed in action during the filming when the bomber he was in was shot down over France on April 16, 1943.
The film was directed by Major William Wyler, narrated by Eugene Kern, and had scenes at Bassingbourn, photographed by Hollywood cinematographer Captain William H Clothier. It was made under the auspices of the First Motion Picture Unit, part of the United States Army Air Forces. The film actually depicted penultimate mission of the crew on 15 May 1943, and was made as a morale-building inspiration for the Home Front by showing the everyday courage of the men who manned these bombers.
Inscription
Ten Men on a Bombing Mission... You're the Eleventh! Target! Germany!
Inscription
THE WAR DEPARTMENT presents The Memphis Belle in Technicolour
Inscription
Just one plane and one crew. In one squadron. In one group. Of one wing. Of one air force. Out of fifteen United States Army Air Forces.
Inscription
Photographed by US 8th Air Force Photographers and Combat Crew Members produced by US 8th Air Force Photographic Section in Cooperation with Army Air Forces First Motion Picture Unit distributed by Parmount Pictures Inc. For Office of War Information through War Activities Committee- Motion Picture Industry