Sergeant York
Sergeant York is a 1941 American biographical film about the life of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I. Directed by Howard Hawks, the film stars Gary Cooper in the title role, and was based on York's diary, as edited by Tom Skeyhill, and adapted by Harry Chandlee, Abem Finkel, John Huston, Howard E. Koch, and Sam Cowan (uncredited). York refused, several times, to authorize a film version of his life story, but finally yielded to persistent efforts to finance the creation of an interdenominational Bible school. The story that York insisted on Cooper for the title role comes from a telegram that producer Jesse L. Lasky wrote to Cooper pleading with him to accept the part, to which he signed York's name.
Plot
Before America's entry into World War I, Alvin York is a poor, young farmer in rural Tennessee, living with his widowed mother, sister, and younger brother. He spends his time fighting and getting drunk with friends. Alvin's goal is to purchase a piece of farmland, fertile "bottomland". He works hard to acquire the price for the land, and is given an extension by the owner. His sharpshooting skills enable him to raise the money needed, but the owner reneges, making Alvin seek revenge, only for him and his mule to be struck by lightning, prompting him to rejoin his church.
Awards
Cast
- Carl Esmond
- Charles Drake
- Charles Middleton
- Charles Trowbridge
- Clem Bevans
- Creighton Hale
- David Bruce
- Dickie Moore
- Douglas Wood
- Eddy Waller
- Edward Keane
- Elisha Cook Jr.
- Erville Alderson
- Frank Faylen
- Frank Marlowe
- Frank Wilcox
- Gary Cooper
- George Irving
- George Tobias
- Gig Young
- Guy Wilkerson
- Harvey Stephens
- Howard Da Silva
- Jack Mower
- Jack Pennick
- James Anderson
- Jean Del Val
- Joan Leslie
- Joe Sawyer
- John Dilson
- Joseph W. Girard
- June Lockhart
- Lane Chandler
- Margaret Wycherly
- Noah Beery Jr.
- Pat Flaherty
- Russell Hicks
- Selmer Jackson
- Stanley Ridges
- Theodore von Eltz
- Tully Marshall
- Victor Kilian
- Walter Brennan
- Walter Sande
- Ward Bond
- William Forrest