The War Effort featuring Frank Sinatra

How did U.S. industry mobilize to support for the nation's war effort during World War II, and what role did the music and entertainment industry play in this mobilization?

Know (knowledge):

• How the United States economy was adjusted to support the war effort
• Why and how the U.S. Government compelled citizens to assist with the war effort
• That popular entertainers participated in and exemplified the U.S. war effort at home and abroad
• How the U.S. Government enlisted and partnered with the entertainment industry to fund the war, boost morale, and provide comfort and support for those at home as part of the war effort

Mastery Objective

• Students will be able to assess how the United States fostered an unprecedented national effort in support of the United States military in World War II by viewing archival films, listening to recordings, and interpreting primary source documents.

“Entertainment is always a national asset. Invaluable in time of peace, it is indispensable in wartime”—President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1943

In this lesson, students will investigate the unified efforts of the U.S. entertainment industry to support the nation's involvement in World War II. During this investigation, students will focus on the singer and actor Frank Sinatra by viewing films, listening to recordings, and analyzing archival documents.

Before there were “Swifties” idolizing Taylor Swift, before there were “Beatlemaniacs” fawning over the Beatles, before there were Elvis fans swooning over The King, there were “Bobby-soxers” obsessing over Francis Albert Sinatra. Frank Sinatra was the Pop idol of the World War II years.

Sinatra, along with the entertainment industry as a whole, leveraged their prestige to aid the American war effort after December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack resulted in the U.S. officially entering World War II on the side of the Allies. Winning the war meant that the U.S. had to mobilize the entire nation, not just the military, and this war effort required a complete transformation of the American economy and society to supply the U.S. armed forces and its allies.

Out of this unprecedented and unifying American war effort emerged partnerships between the government and the entertainment industry. Movie studios produced patriotic films. Artists created colorful and dramatic posters that encouraged regular citizens to join the effort to preserve freedom and defeat the enemy. Women joined the workforce in numbers never before seen, and in doing so elevated their status and changed the conversation around gender roles. As men left the workforce to serve in the military, many women assumed job roles in factories that were now retooled to produce the products of war. This “all in” approach helped win the war, and this remarkable focus and unity has never been duplicated since.

Frank Sinatra was not eligible for military service due to a variety of health issues, including a perforated eardrum and a damaged lung. Sinatra’s inability to serve in the war during a time of elevated patriotism, participation, and personal sacrifice made him the focus of disdain as well as devotion. There were questions about whether his health issues were real, whether he used his celebrity to avoid serving, and although there was no evidence to support the criticism, the scrutiny persisted. One active duty serviceman and journalist who was angry because Sinatra was home making lots of money while surrounded by adoring female fans wrote, “I think Frank Sinatra was the most hated man of World War II, much more than Hitler.” Sinatra’s popularity endured with his fanbase, largely young people and mostly women. He maintained his status, and like many stars of the day, contributed enthusiastically to the war effort by encouraging support, and creating music that provided relief and inspiration during this stressful, confusing, and unsettling time in American history.

Music has the unique power to provide comfort, solace, and hope during times of need. The U.S. Government, in collaboration with the recording industry, produced V-Discs ("V" for victory) that were distributed to soldiers to lift their spirits and provide connections to home. They were the only recordings that members of the American Federation of Musicians were allowed to record between 1942 and 1944 due to the ongoing musician's union strike at that time. V-Discs could hold over six minutes of music and featured Popular, Folk, and Classical selections. However, since the shellac that had been used to manufacturing records was scarce due to its necessity in a variety of war materials, polyvinyl chloride (aka “vinyl”) was utilized in record production. This preceded the commercial use of this more flexible and durable material by several years. V-Discs were often included as part of a “Hit Kit” sent to those serving in the military during the war. Hit Kits included replacement needles, sheet music, lyric sheets, and hand crank phonographs. Over three million V-Discs were shipped to U.S. military personnel during the war.

In 1945, Frank Sinatra made a 10 minute movie titled, The House I Live In. This movie was a plea for racial and religious tolerance, and it won him an Honorary Academy Award. Like his mother, Sinatra was an early activist for civil rights during the mid-20th century. In later years he refused to stay in hotels and work in clubs that did not admit Black people. He always provided equal pay and equal treatment to Black musicians. These efforts and the power of his celebrity were a major factor in integrating Las Vegas.

Years after the war, Sinatra was quoted, when questioned about his popularity and influence: "It was the war years, and there was a great loneliness. I was the boy in every corner drugstore who'd gone off, drafted to the war. That was all."