Propaganda by definition is the use of mass media to call an audience to action. Although it has an evil connotation, it's also been used to educate and motivate target groups about important causes. Between 1941 and 1945, Hollywood produced hundreds of films intended to unify the country for the war effort. In addition to feature films, movie studios turned out training footage, newsreels, and fundraisers. Focusing on the feature films, Donald uses the five appeals of propaganda (guild, satanism, illusion of victory, biblical, territorial) to analyze and categorize more than 50 of these movies. The author lists the tenets for each appeal and then uses examples from these movies. The author lists the tenets for each appeal and then uses examples from these movies as illustrations. For example, Donald uses the plot and dialogue from Casablanca to demonstrate how guilt motivates Humphrey Bogart's character, Rick Blaine.

Movie buffs will love the detailed references, but others may be more inclined to sample the entries. Of particular interest is the annotated list of analyzed films, which includes plot summaries, film information, and propaganda appeals. This is a handy volume for film collections.ined to sample the entries. Of particular interest is the annotated list of analyzed films, which includes plot summaries, film information, and propaganda appeals. This is a handy volume for film collections.ined to sample the entries. Of particular interest is the annotated list of analyzed films, which includes plot summaries, film information, and propaganda appeals.

This is a handy volume for film collections.ined to sample the entries. Of particular interest is the annotated list of analyzed films, which includes plot summaries, film information, and propaganda appeals. This is a handy volume for film collections.