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1954, which opened up the issues of race relations and civil rights across America andgave African Americans renewed hope.American historians see World War II as a watershed in their history. 4 During those yearsAmerica re-dedicated itself to democracy as it fought a racist, totalitarian regime in Europeand an imperial regime in Asia. It was a turning point in race relations, providing amomentum for change; a time when national and African American goals intersected.While African Americans prospered in the economic upsurge of the war, as many movedfrom the south to work in the war industries, their leaders pressed hard for equality. Thethreatened March on Washington produced the Fair Employment Practices Committee(1941). There were appointments to senior administrative posts in the government,recognition in the armed services through the training of officers and pilots and theproduction of The Negro Soldier ( 1944) which was eventually shown to all recruits. 5 TheNAACP continued to win discrimination battles in the courts and increased its membershiptenfold by 1945, while the 'Double V campaign - victory over racism abroad andinequality at home - summarised African Americans' hopes for the future.As in World War I, Hollywood was keen to support the war effort. This was not just analtruistic show of patriotism but a defensive tactic against mounting federal anti-trust suitsand congressional hearings. 6 However, these were put into abeyance on condition thatHollywood co-operated with government control of wartime propaganda through theOffice of Wartime Information (OWI). 7 The OWI's main concern was whether a filmwould assist the war effort. Its outlook was 'mild social democratic and liberal' and thisclashed with Hollywood's own Production Code, which was designed to exclude specificmaterial. 8 The NAACP also put pressure on Hollywood not only to produce moreintegrated movies but also to 'amend their portrayals of blacks in movies.' This began tohappen in the multi-ethnic 'platoon' movies, although only one African American wasgenerally included. 9 With an increasing audience, more people were experiencing'integrated' movies on a regular basis and this was seen as a possible harbinger ofimproved race relations.58