This 1945 RKO short film "The House I Live In" was made to oppose anti-Semitism and promote religious tolerance and ethnic harmony in the wake of WWII. It stars Frank Sinatra, who appears playing himself, and was written by Albert Maltz (who later famously was blacklisted due to his leftist leanings). In the film, Sinatra is seen taking a smoke break from a recording session. He sees a group of boys who are chasing a Jewish boy. Sinatra intervenes and gives his two cents about how all Americans should be respected, regardless of their religion, and that "one American's blood is as good as any other". The song "The House I Live In" originally appeared in the musical revue Let Freedom Sing, which opened on Broadway on October 5, 1942.
His message to them is that all Americans are one and all religions are to be respected equally.
It's a timeless mesage that seems to have been somehow forgotten these days, especially amongst some of our elected officials.
They show that occasionally on TCM.
ReplyDeleteRespected equally? Are all people equal? Respect is to be earned, not freely given. What was meant was "tolerated", not respect. You have my tolerance...you want my respect? Earn it.
ReplyDelete