Unknown Soldiers: The American Expeditionary Forces in Memory and Remembrance

“After They’ve Seen Paree”: The AEF in Film and Music

238 Motion Pictures and popular music of the First World War rallied Americans to action, expressed postwar cynicism, preached pacifism, and set the stage for the World War II combat film. From propaganda films and songs to lasting masterpieces like King Vidor’s Big Parade and Irving Berlin’s anthem “God Bless America,” World War I inspired creative expression.1 Hollywood returned a number of times to try to make sense of a conflict that destroyed many, many lives and appeared to accomplish very little. It provided fodder for belligerents and pacifists alike who drew different lessons from the war. Music, initially martial in spirit, grew more critical in the years following the armistice. Before the United States entered the war on April 6, 1917, its citizens generally tried to remain neutral, even though they heard popular British prowar songs in American music halls and other venues. Al Jolson popularized the song “Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers” well before the United States intervened. Likewise, many Americans were quite familiar with the tune, if not the words, to “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” Other favorites that became popular before U.S. entry to the Great War were “Keep the Home Fires Burning ,” “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag,” and “Mademoiselle from Armentieres.”2 Perhaps the most popular American prewar song emerged in 1915 as the peace campaign gained momentum. “I Didn’t Raise My Son to Be a Soldier” said in part: “After They’ve Seen Paree” The AEF in Film and Music Michael E. Birdwell the aef in film and music / 239 I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier I brought him up to be my pride and joy Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder To shoot some other mother’s darling boy?3 By the same token, Irving Berlin, who played a crucial role in mobilizing the U.S. citizenry for war, wrote the pacifist song, “Stay Down Where You Belong .”4 Once war came, however, the words and title to the former song were changed to “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Coward” and several other variations on the theme. With the insistence of George Creel’s Committee for Public Information (CPI), movie studios churned out a number of ham-fisted, unsubtle films like The Kaiser: Beast of Berlin, The Prussian Cur, Pershing’s Crusaders, and The Little American. The Prussian Cur proved controversial because it encouraged patriotic Americans to lynch German immigrants who might harbor sympathy for the fatherland; because of the discord it created, it was eventually withdrawn from circulation.5 The war successfully merged music and film in a partnership that continues to this day. Musicians accompanied silent films with scores provided by the studios and improvised as the film went along. The popular song “The Man Who Put the Germ in Germany” inspired the short feature Kicking the Germ out of Germany (March 1918), starring the comedian Harold Lloyd. As a good soldier of the AEF, Lloyd’s character captured the kaiser and took delight in abusing him, to the amusement of appreciative audiences. Theodore Morse penned one of the most enduring songs of the war, “You’re in the Army Now.” A playful song that lampooned the frustrations of army training and homesickness , it encouraged troops to take their jobs seriously. The song regained popularity during World War II, showcased in the Warner Bros. film This Is the Army (1943). Between 1917 and 1919, lyricists and composers copyrighted 35,600 songs concerning the war, and at least 20 percent were published. Gifted songwriters, serious patriots, and opportunistic hacks churned out an astounding amount of martial music.6 Songsmiths most responsible for rousing troops and audiences for the war effort included George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin. Cohan provided the doughboys’ favorite marching song, “Over There!” which he penned on April 7, 1917, just one day after the United States declared war.7 Heard all across the United States and Europe, “Over There” promised that “the Yanks are coming” and that the United States was dedicated to ending the conflict. 240 / unknown soldiers The “Sammies” (Uncle Sam’s soldiers), the song promised, would not return home until “it’s over over there.” Its simple, driving rhythm and memorable melody line made the tune a favorite among soldier and civilian alike. The second verse declared: Johnnie get...