Entertainment

Entertainment in the 1940s

Movies

Which movies hit the big screen during the 1940s?  Below are a few!  How many do you recognize?  What other movies were made in the 1940s?  How will you find out?

Dumbo Movie Release Poster

  • Fantasia, 1940
  • Pinocchio, 1940
  • Dumbo, 1941
  • Bambi, 1942
  • White Christmas, 1942
  • Great Expectations, 1946
  • It's a Wonderful Life, 1946
  • Boomerang, 1947
  • Miracle on 34th Street, 1947
  • Oliver Twist, 1948
  • Little Women, 1949

What other movies were popular during the 1940s?

It's a Wonderful Life movie poster

How can I find more information?

Do you want to find the names of more movie stars from the 1940s?  Try using keywords "1940s film stars" or "1940s actors" or "1940s actresses".  

 

Looking for a movie from a specific year in the 40s?  Type in the year and "movie" or "film".  Once you find the name of a movie, use the title as your keyword search to find more information about it.

Google Web Search

Keywords

Examples of keywords:

  • 1940s
  • Film Stars
  • Actors
  • Actresses
  • Entertainment
  • Movies
  • Films
  • The Andrews Sisters
  • Tommy Dorsey
  • Bing Crosby
  • Radio
  • Radio Broadcasts
  • Roosevelt Radio Broadcasts
  • Churchill Radio Broadcasts
  • Radio Newscasts
  • Radio Commercials

Google Custom Search

"The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B" by The Andrews Sisters

Many musical groups, like the Andrews Sisters, entertained allied troops in the U.S., Africa, and Italy.  They weren't the only performers to do this during World War II though. 

Wish Me Luck as You Wave Good-Bye sung by Gracie Fields

Many songs were written about the war.

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby performing White Christmas in the movie White Christmas.

"Well, Git It!" by Tommy Dorsey

The 1940s were known as the Big Band Era. Can you find the names of other big bands and top songs from the 1940s?

Find other popular songs here.

Swing Fever

Swing dance was extremely popular during the early 1940s.  This clip is from the movie Twice Blessed (1945).  You can see some of the moves they used!

Other popular dances in the 1940s included the jitterbug and lindy hop.

Radio

"Radio was the lifeline for Americans in the 1940's, providing news, music and entertainment, much like television today.  Programming included soap operas, quiz shows, children's hours, mystery stories, fine drama, and sports"  (http://www.intheirwords.org/the_home_front_experience/pop_culture).

 

Check out an actual radio broadcast aired in England during the 1940s below.  To find more information about this broadcast visit Old Time Radio-1940s.

1940s Superstars

The following are just a few film stars from the 1940s.  

Humphrey Bogart

James Cagney

James Cagney

Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby

Bette Davis

Bette Davis

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn

Bob Hope

Bob Hope

Fred MacMurray

Fred MacMurray

Judy Garland

Judy Garland

Clark Gable

Clark Gable

Radio

Visit the links below to listen to radio material from the 1940s:

Roosevelt's Fireside Chats

Day of Infamy Newscasts

Churchill News and Speeches

Radio Commercials