May brings a few WWI themed movies on Turner Classics.  As usual, we don’t make any promises about their historical accuracy.  All times Central.

-May 13—East of Eden (1955).  This has been up before; the story of two brothers competing for their father’s approval and a woman’s love is set in the year 1917 and has the American entry into the war as part of the background.  Stars James Dean, Raymond Massey, Julie Harris, and is directed by Elia Kazan.  7:00 p.m.

-May 26—War Nurse (1930).  A nurse fights to survive when she’s caught behind enemy lines in World War I.  Stars Robert Montgomery, Anita Page, and native Kansan Zasu Pitts.  7:30 a.m.

-May 26—Sergeant York (1941).  You knew it would air around Memorial Day, didn’t you?  The true story of the farm boy who made the transition from religious pacifist to World War I hero.  Stars Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan.  Directed by Howard Hawks.  9:00 p.m.

-May 28—Suzy (1936).  A French air ace discovers that his showgirl wife’s first husband is still alive.  Stars Jean Harlow, Cary Grant, and Franchot Tone  5:00 a.m.

-May 29—Ace of Aces (1933)  After he’s branded a coward, a sculptor travels to France to help fight World War I.  Stars Richard Dix, Elizabeth Allan, and Ralph Bellamy.  3:15 a.m.

Blair Tarr is the Museum Curator of the Kansas State Historical Society. He oversees the three-dimensional collections of the Society, but has special interests in the Civil War, Wichita-made Valentine diners, and Leavenworth's Abernathy Furniture. In the last few years he has also done a lot of cramming on The Great War. He is a past president of the Kansas Museums Association and the Civil War Round Tables of both Kansas City and Eastern Kansas. He is currently a board member of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City.