Behind the Bastards Part Two: How Hollywood Helped The Nazis
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Sep 13, 2018 Daniel Van Kirk, an expert on Nazism in Hollywood, joins Robert to discuss the dark connection between Nazis and the film industry. They explore Hollywood's compliance with Nazi censorship, the impact of Technicolor on representation, and the resistance efforts of figures like Dorothy Thompson. The complex relationship between Hollywood and Nazi Germany during the 1930s is highlighted, along with Charlie Chaplin's defiance through 'The Great Dictator'.
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First Fascist Film
- The film Gabriel Over the White House portrays a president who becomes a dictator after a car accident.
- This is presented as a positive change, driven by God, showcasing early fascist themes in Hollywood.
Unintentional Führerprinzip
- The film Gabriel Over the White House, though initially about a president's personality change, was altered to portray him as chosen by God.
- This aligned with the Nazi Führerprinzip, demonstrating how seemingly innocuous changes can reflect dangerous ideologies.
Nazi Interpretation of *Bengal Lancer*
- The Nazis admired The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, a film about British cavalry in India.
- They saw the colonel's unwavering authority as an embodiment of the Führerprinzip, highlighting their misinterpretation of heroic leadership.