American Masters Season 22 Episode 5 You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)

American Masters season 22 episode 5, titled "You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)," delves into the history of Warner Bros., one of the most influential film studios in Hollywood. The episode traces the studio's development during a turbulent period in American history, covering the years between 1935 and 1950.

During this time, Warner Bros. produced a wide range of films that reflected the complex social and political issues of the day. The studio's output included gangster movies, war films, and social dramas, all designed to capture the public's attention and spark conversation. The episode explores how the studio's films responded to the rise of fascism in Europe, the Second World War, and the uneasy peace that followed.

The episode features interviews with a range of experts, including film historians, actors, and filmmakers. These experts offer insights into the many challenges that Warner Bros. faced during this period, as well as the many triumphs that the studio enjoyed. They explore how key figures such as studio head Jack Warner and directors like Michael Curtiz and John Huston helped to shape the studio's identity and legacy.

Highlights from the episode include a look at classic Warner Bros. films such as "The Maltese Falcon," "Casablanca," and "Mildred Pierce," as well as lesser-known works like "Kings Row" and "Objective, Burma!" The episode also explores the role that Warner Bros. played in the Hollywood Blacklist, a controversial episode in which the studio's relationship with left-wing political groups came under scrutiny.

Throughout the episode, viewers will get a sense of the many ways in which Warner Bros. influenced both American film culture and American society more broadly. From the studio's innovative use of music and sound to its commitment to realism and social commentary, Warner Bros. helped to define what we now think of as classic Hollywood cinema.

Overall, "You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)" is a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal period in American cultural history, and a tribute to the enduring legacy of one of Hollywood's most important studios.