In December 1943, a young Jewish-American man named Marty 'Mike' Siegelbaum entered the Army. Almost immediately, he began to write to his wife, Hazel, usually on a daily basis; she had saved more than 500 letters by the time he returned home two years later in December of 1945. Through the literate words of Mike, the viewer is treated to a picture of Army life and is able to watch how this young man went from a confident, generally happy guy to one who was bitter about the ugliness he saw during his time in Europe. In basic training, usually a time of whining for most soldiers, Mike was upbeat, telling Hazel how swell the rest of the guys were, how much he liked the USO clubs, and even how he was pleasantly surprised that his uniform fit so well. He professed his love for Hazel in a number of ways, often calling her 'Babe'. By the end of the war, Siegelbaum was cynical about the Army, the unfairness of officers, and how the common soldier seldom got a fair shake. My only regret is that we never really come to know Mike Siegelbaum as a person, only as the writer of some well-crafted letters. What were his dreams and plans before the war intervened in his life? How did he meet Hazel and why was their bond so strong? That aside, this video would be a welcome addition to any library seeking materials on WWII, on military life, and on how war can change the life of a highly intelligent and very loving young man. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Carlson)
Dear Babe
(1995) 55 min. $250. Carousel Film & Video. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 11, Issue 4
Dear Babe
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