Tom Hanks on His New WWII Project

Hanks, executive producer of Beyond All Boundaries, on his new WWII project. Sounds awesome. More here. And here.

Stars Enlist For National WWII Museum Epic

Wow. From the NY Post today -- The National World War II Museum in New Orleans and Tom Hanks have announced the roster for voicing their new WWII epic Beyond All Boundaries premiering at The Museum on November 6. It seems like Hanks must have drafted the help of half of Hollywood as the cast list reads like a who's who of A-Listers including Hanks, its narrator and executive producer, joined by Kevin Bacon, Corbin Bleu, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Connolly, James Cromwell, Blythe Danner, Viola Davis, Jessie Eisenberg, John Goodman, Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Jonas, Justin Long, Tobey Maguire, Daran Norris, Wendell Pierce, Chris Pine, Brad Pitt, Bill Sadler, Gary Sinise and Elijah Wood, among others. Are there more? Keep coming back to Hollywood at War for more information about this special cinematic experience opening in New Orleans.

Hanks, Hollywood and History

News today that Tom Hanks (Saving Pvt. Ryan, could we forget?) has lent his talents to a new production debuting this November at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Beyond All Boundaries promises to be a cinematic experience using high tech wizardry and historical footage to tell the story of Americans involvement in World War II. Should be great. More from the AP. More from the museum.

Saturday Morning Serial

Fiendish enemy plotters vs. Uncle Sam's heroes. During WWII Saturday morning matinees served up serials pitting Axis spies against our own good guys. This trailer was for 1942's Secret Code, a 15-part serial that featured a masked crusader known as the Black Commando. Action was key, but each Secret Code episode featured a segment showing kids how to encrypt a message. With the Web things are easier now. The new educational site from the National World War II Museum will code and send your own top secret messages to anyone you chose.

Keen for the Canteen

Built in an old barn at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard, the Hollywood Canteen operated from 1942 to 1945. It was staffed with the studio's A-list stars, who entertained the servicemen and women passing through Los Angeles. This 1944 clip has young Dinah Shore giving a tour of the club, introducing Lana Turner and Marlene Dietrich among others. The canteen concept is even making a comeback. The National World War II Museum is opening a Stage Door Canteen and Victory Theater on their premises in November 2009.