| 501st PIR MARCHES
THROUGH THE STREETS OF ATLANTA |
| These photographs held by the Georgia State Library are in poor condition and show cracks, etc. but are the only known images of this event. |
 501st IN ATLANTA
Aug 14, 1941, opening day of the movie's two day "world premiere", the 501st marched through the streets of Atlanta. The crowds were thrilled to see the latest element of America's finest as they strutted their stuff through the city. |
 PEACHTREE STREET
The most famous street in Atlanta had never before seen the likes of this, and Atlanta's citizenry turned out in droves to applaud the paratroopers as they matched by. |
 AT THE THEATRE
The regiment arrives at the FOX theatre where the movie would first be shown that same evening. Edmund O'Brien also made a personal appearance. |
 THEATRE MARQUEE
There was no question about what movie was playing here 'today and tomorrow'. Note that the501st got first billing over Edmund O'Brien on the marquee but Robert Preston appears first on the pennant flying overhead. |
 CHOWING DOWN
The hungry men were fed in a hotel banquet hall. Surely there were many comments comparing the food quality to their accustomed Army fare where, of course, there were no waiters as there were here. |
 PREMIERE NIGHT
The FOX theatre is aglow as eager movie goers flock to the box office. The combination of famous stars amidst the new phenomena of parachutists was hard to resist. |
All photos courtesy of
WILLIAM RUSSELL PULLEN LIBRARY
Georgia State University, 100 Decatur Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30303-3202
URL: http://www.library.gsu.edu | Contact Pullen Library
Copyright © 2001 William Russell Pullen Library |
 |
