1941 (July) A Warners Bros. First National Production Jesse L. Lasky and Hal B. Wallis Directed Howard Hawks Written by Aben Finkel and Harry Chandlee, and Howard Koch and John Huston, based upon the diary of Alvin York as edited by Tom Skeyhill Photographed by Sol Polito Music by Max Steiner 134 minutes Starring Gary Cooper; featuring Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges, Margaret Wycherly; with Ward Bond, Noah Beery, Jr., June Lockhart, Dickie Moore, Clem Bevans, Howard de Silva, Charles Trowbridge, Harvey Stephens, David Bruce, Charles Esmond, Joseph Sawyer, Pat Flaherty, Robert Poterfield, Erville Anderson The biggest hit of 1941, earning the studio $6,135,707 in its domestic release, the movie garnered 9 Academy Award nominations and earned Gary Cooper a well-deserved Oscar in the title role. Two things combined to make the film a smash. One was compelling human drama, extremely well-mounted by studio pros like director Hawks and actors Walter Brennan and Margaret Wycherly. The other was timing. The movie is based on the real-life story of Congressional Medal of Honor winner Alvin C. York, who single-handedly killed 20 German soldiers and forced the surrender of 132 others in the Argonne sector, Oct. 18, 1918. In 1941, Europe was again at war, and York's transformation from pacifist to WWI hero struck a chord with audiences anxious about the possible consequences of US involvement (or non-involvement) in World War II. Centering upon York's life before Argonne in the backwoods of Tennessee, the film tells the story of a simple, well-meaning farmer who finds religion, and finds again that he must kill despite his Christian objection to killing. He returns from combat a hero, and a grateful Tennesse purchases him a farm so that he can settle down with his intended. Sure it's propaganda, but it's tasteful and intelligent in ways that peacetime still permitted. Because this was a Hollywood movie, it has the requisite romantic love-interest angle. And this is where Joan Leslie comes in. She plays Gracie Williams, Alvin's childhood sweetheart and backwoods bride. This was Joan's fifth feature length picture for Warner Bros., her fifth in 1941, and her most important to that date. She had been given feature billing after her work in The Wagons Roll at Night, but Sergeant York did more than anything to secure her stardom. Joan was only 16 when filming began. She worked hard to get the Tennessee accent right, and her acting had improved a lot since her debut. Still, Gary Cooper was a little uneasy about working with someone so young. According to his biographer, he felt like a criminal whenever he embraced her before the camera. If Cooper had doubts privately, he doesn't let them show up on screen. His scenes with Joan Leslie are wonderful -- warm, tender, and very moving. And Joan provides perfect support. This one gets my highest recommendation. A must-see for fans of Gary Cooper, Joan Leslie, or movies generally. Pic #1 Favorite Joan Leslie Film Select your favorite Joan Leslie film here. High Sierra The Great Mr. Nobody The Wagons Roll at Night Sergeant York The Male Animal Yankee Doodle Dandy The Hard Way This Is the Army The Sky's the Limit Thank Your Lucky Stars Hollywood Canteen Where Do We Go From Here? Rhapsody in Blue Too Young to Know Cinderella Jones Two Guys from Milwaukee Repeat Performance Northwest Stampede The Skipper Surprised His Wife Man in the Saddle The Woman They Almost Lynched Flight Nurse Jubilee Trail Hell's Outpost Other Current Results [Sign My Guestbook] [View My Guestbook]