"This is the Army" - Signed Souvenir Program

Original souvenir program from the World War II patriotic revue "This is the Army," signed on internal pages by numerous members of the all-military cast and by the composer, Irving Berlin. The colorful program features several spreads of halftone photographs of the cast and crew, a page about Berlin's World War I show "Yip Yip Yaphank," a page of photographs of the commanding officers of the U.S. Army, and a large spread featuring the names of all 300 enlisted performers. Berlin has signed below a small photograph on p. 2, showing him at work on the score with two officers. The cover features a light-hearted design of grim-faced soldiers marching off to war under a large flag. 12 pp. Front wrapper detached, with some external toning, one vertical crease; overall otherwise very good. 9 x 12 inches (22.8 x 30.3 cm).

When the United States joined World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Berlin immediately began composing a number of patriotic songs. His most notable and valuable contribution to the war effort was a stage show he wrote called "This is the Army". It was taken to Broadway and then on to Washington, D.C. (where President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended). It was eventually shown at military bases throughout the world, including London, North Africa, Italy, Middle East, and Pacific countries, sometimes in close proximity to battle zones. Berlin wrote nearly three dozen songs for the show which contained a cast of 300 men. He supervised the production and traveled with it, always singing "Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning". The show kept him away from his family for three and a half years, during which time he took neither salary nor expenses, and turned over all profits to the Army Emergency Relief Fund. The stage show was made into a 1943 film which featured a young Ronald Reagan. (15657)

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Signed Document/Item

Theater

Song

History & Historiography

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