New book puts kibosh on sentimentality of WWII films
‘Mercury Pictures Presents’By Anthony Marrac.2022, Hogarth$28.99/408 pages “Mercury Pictures Presents,” a new novel by acclaimed writer Anthony Marra, brings the grit and pain embedded in the fabled days of yesteryear, close to home.
BUY THE BOOK I’ll bet that when the news brings you down, you, like me, watch Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca.” Or, maybe, Bette Davis in “Watch on the Rhine,” where Sara (Davis) supports her anti-fascist husband Kurt (Paul Lukas).
Old Hollywood movies set in World War II are our comfort food. It was good back then, we think, watching Victor Laszlo and Ilsa.
The U.S. fought to rescue the world from fascism, and its citizens basked in freedom. If only. “Mercury Pictures Presents” puts the kibosh on our sentimental illusions.
