The attached Photoplay Magazine article first appeared at the end of America’s first full year of war and it is composed of the names and pictures of Hollywood’s leading men who were absolved from fulfilling their military obligations during World War II. Some of the names listed, such as Mickey Rooney, John Garfield and Robert Taylor, were granted early war draft deferments, but made it into uniform before the war ended.
“The personalities of the fabulous films are on the spot in the matter of serving their country. It is useless to deny that the motion picture stars have been getting the best of it. Some have been given special draft deferments and choice assignments and often have been allowed extra months to finish their pictures before having to report for duty.”
“Months passed with the stars still among those present and the public began to ask why. Wives, sisters, parents and sweethearts of drafted men who had little worldly goods to fight for wondered why their loved ones should face danger and death while the men to whom America had given so very much remained behind.”
More about W.W. II Hollywood can be read here.
Click here to read about the American draft-dodgers of the Second World War.
