Classic Hollywood Reviews: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Redux

This was one of the first Classic Hollywood Reviews that I wrote. And as we ponder the election from a week and a half ago, I thought it was appropriate to run it again. There will be many new people in Washington starting in January. Here's praying they come with the convictions and willingness to stand up for what's right that is portrayed in this movie. Whichever side of the aisle you vote, I think we can all agree that's what we need.

Do you have a wee bit of the crusader in you? Wonder if corrupt politics only arrived in the 1990s? Then you need to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. A 1939 offering from one of my favorite classic directors, Frank Capra, with one of my favorite classic stars, Jimmy Stewart, it's the ultimate feel good tale. And what's not to like when Jean Arthur joins the fun.

Jimmy Stewart's character Jefferson Smith is basically a grown-up Eagle Scout who is sent to Wasghington because his handlers think he'll be easy to control. Boy, did they mess up on that assumption! One of my favorite scenes is when he gets to Washington, D.C. and hops on the trolley to take a tour giving his handlers ulcers with his disappearing act. (For a summary of the film, pop over here.)

This was the fifth film that Stewart made in 1939 and garnered a total of eleven Academy Award nominations but only won in one category. This was also the second film in which Stewart and Arthur are paired as romantic leads. Don't worry, I'll talk about the 1938 film in coming weeks, because it's another family favorite.

There's a lot to love about this film. It highlights the corruption of the media. The corruption in politics. The hero worship that can lead to disillusionment. Hmm, what's there to love, you ask?

How about a man who won't be railroaded? Who stands up for what he knows is right even when his is the only voice speaking? A man who will offer himself on the altar in sacrifice for what is right for the country? If you wonder about the power of one man, pop in this video and then pray for God to give us people in office like this!

This movie one best Oscar for story and was nominated for a string more. I highly recommend this movie.

Winners of Stars in the Night Launch Contest

After putting all the many entries in a spreadsheet and using random.org to select the winners, I am please to announce the following will receive launch packages:

The Grand Prize goes to.....drum roll please... Tammy G!

First Prizes (a collection of my World War Two books) go to:

• hspruitt
• Jan Kern
• Karen Zupancic
• Anonymous (Madison)
• lori

Second Prizes (a copy of Stars in the Night) go to:

• Renee Troxel
• Apple Blossom
• Stephanie Wetli
• Pat Grau
• Beth Davis Loughner

Congratulations to all the winners, and a huge thank you to everybody who helped spread the word about the release of Stars in the Night!

What I learned while researching Stars... Part Two

Continuing the fun historical details from Monday...

4) The Winecoff Hotel, where I have my stars stay while they’re in Atlanta, was the site of the worst hotel fire in American history and has recently been restored and renovated.

5) I initially considered having the tour appear at Ford’s Theater, but it was essentially abandoned during the World War Two era – and was used as storage. Hard to believe if you tour that beautifully restored theater today.

6) The National Theater has had continuous shows running since December 1835. Fortunately for my story, it had a hole the summer of 1942, which fit perfectly with when I wanted my caravan to have a show there.

7) The Hollywood Canteen didn’t open until later in 1942. Since my first book involved a canteen, I really wanted to include the Hollywood Canteen. Besides, what’s more romantic than movie stars mixing with and entertaining servicemen? Unfortunately, it was in the planning stages during Stars in the Night. Maybe in the next book…

As you can see, I love the details of history. I hope Stars in the Night sweeps you away to a time that was rich in service, glamour, and conflict.

And don't forget to participate in the launch contest for Stars in the Night by leaving a comment on the post.

What I learned while researching Stars...

Since I'm still celebrating the release of Stars in the Night, I'm going to take this week to share with you some of the cool historical details I learned while writing Stars in the Night.

One of the things I love about writing novels set during World War II is that I always learn something new. As a World War II history nut, that keeps the writing fresh and exciting. Here are a few of the things I learned while writing Stars in the Night:

1) There really was a Hollywood Victory Caravan. The Hollywood Victory Caravan traveled by train Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., then north through cities like Chicago and Minneapolis.

2) If something had happened to the train, Hollywood would have been ravaged. The real caravan was filled with stars like Abbott and Costello, Desi Arnez, Bing Crosby, and Groucho Marx.

3) The first train entertained the President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House. What a great way to launch the tour. And Mrs. Roosevelt had a staff member standing immediately behind her to help her “remember” everyone who came by so she could say something personal to them.

Come back on Wednesday to learn four more tidbits I learned while researching this book. And don't forget to participate in the launch contest for Stars in the Night by leaving a comment on that post.

Stars in the Night Launch Contest

Today I'm in St. Louis signing Stars in the Night at the International Christian Retail Show. I'm so pumped and hope a few booksellers will stop by so I can give them a copy of the book and my thanks for all they do for Christian fiction. Without them, I really wouldn't have a way to get my books out.

So in honor of this debut signing, I'm releasing details of my book launch contest:

The grand prize consists of several DVDs of my favorite classic movies, popcorn, cracker jacks, a signed copy of Stars in the Night, and if we reach over 200 entries, a copy of each of my other six World War II based romances. These DVDs are special because they include some of my favorite movies of all time. Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story are great romantic comedies, both with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart joins them in Philadelphia Story. Just last week, we rewatched one of my favorite musicals: Singing in the Rain, which you'll also find in these collections along with Easter Parade and Meet Me in St. Louis. And then you can't do better for dramas than Casablanca and Mrs. Miniver. For the final set, I'm adding Frank Capra's collection. You'll have hours of wonderful classics to watch.

Five first prizes: a copy of all my WWII books: that means winners receive a copy of Stars in the Night, Canteen Dreams, Sandhill Dreams, Captive Dreams, A Promise Kept, A Promise Born, and A Promise Forged. That's plenty of World War II era romances and romantic suspense to fill your summer with reading.

Five second prizes: a signed copy of Stars in the Night.

So how do you enter?

I'm so glad you asked. There are many ways you can enter for a chance at one of these great packages.

• Help spread the word about Stars in the Night and the contest through facebook, myspace, shoutlife, and twitter.
• Mention the contest and Stars in the Night on your blog
• Ask your library to order Stars in the Night and any other of my books.
• Go into your local bookstores and take a photo of Stars in the Night on the shelf if it’s there or ask the bookstore to order it. If it is there, take a photo and email it to me at cara at caraputman dot com.
  
• Post links to order Stars in the Night at CBD, Amazon, or B&N on your blog or social network and let me know you've done that.
• Also, once you've read Stars, post a review on CBD, Amazon, or B&N and let me know you've done that.
  
  Each time you do one of the above items, come back here and leave a comment. That will be your entry. So you have the possibility of entering eight to eleven times.
  
  Not bad!
  
  So please help me celebrate and spread the word!
  

The contest ends July 31st.