 501st P.I.R. GOES HOLLYWOOD
In 1941, a documentary-style movie was filmed using the 501st Parachute Battalion at Fort Benning for the actual jump scenes.
Starring Robert Preston, Nancy Kelly, Edmond O'Brien, Harry Carey, Jr. and Buddy Ebsen, the film devoted most of its footage to the classic story line of "who gets the girl"?
Nancy Kelly plays the daughter of a stereotypical grizzled sergeant who really has a warm heart once you get by the "tough guy" facade |
 PARACHUTE BATTALION
Directed by Hugh Fite and John Twist, this documentary style film highlights the training of new recruits - a football star, a Colonel's son and a hillbilly (Buddy Ebsen, of course) who join the Army and train to be a part of the new and elite parachute corps.
The story focuses on the rigors of their training, as well as the personal conflicts they must confront in order to succeed.
Men of the 501st P.I.R. performed all of the jumps, many of these men
transferred to the 508th later. |
