This year is the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War. To mark this important anniversary, myself and my friend, Jay from Cinema Essentials, are teaming up together to host a WW2 themed blogathon.
For this blogathon you can write about any film or TV series set during WW2. You can also write about any WW2 documentaries. You can also write about the experiences of actors or filmmakers who served during the war. You can write more than one entry if you wish to do so.
We are not going to allow any duplicates. However, if a film or series has already been claimed for a full review, there is nothing to stop someone else writing briefly about it in a list/article of favourite/best WW2 films or series.
The blogathon will run between the 1st and the 3rd of September, 2019. I will be your hostess on the 1st. Jay will be your host on the 2nd and 3rd. Please have your posts ready on or before those dates.
Please take one of Jay’s awesome banners from below to put on your site to help advertise the event. Check the participation list to see who is writing about what.
Participation List
Maddy Loves Her Classic Films: Danger UXB (TV series)
Cinema Essentials: The Eagle Has Landed, Hurricane, Bridge On The River Kwai
Palewriter: Mrs. Miniver and O.S.S
Vinnieh: Carve Her Name With Pride
Thoughts All Sorts: Kelly’s Heroes
Back Story Classic: Demi-Paradise
The Stop Button: The Big Red One
Poppity Talks Classic Film: La Grande Vadrouille
MovieMovieBlogII: Schindler’s List
Realweegiemidgetreviews: Where Eagles Dare
Cinematic Scribblings: Army Of Shadows
Down These Mean Streets: Hangmen Also Die
Back To Golden Days: Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Great Escape
dbmoviesblog: Letters From Iwo Jima
Make Mine Film Noir: Cornered
Caftan Woman: Corvette K-225
Silver Screenings: Tora Tora Tora!
Critica Retro: The Seventh Cross
The Midnite Drive-In: Patton, Von Ryan’s Express & Five Came Back: A Story Of Hollywood And The Second World War
In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood: Without Love
Mike’s Take On The Movies: Counterpoint
Dubsism: Fighter Squadron
Pop Culture Reverie: The Dirty Dozen
Taking Up Room: So Proudly We Hail, In Which We Serve & Wake Island
Overturebooksandfilms: The Hollywood Canteen
Love Letters To Old Hollywood: The Best Years Of Our Lives
Silver Screen Classics: Stalag 17
RetroMovieBuff: A Canterbury Tale
Just A Cineast: Millions Like Us
Moon In Gemini: The Mortal Storm
The lonely Critic: The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp
Wolfman’s Cult Film Club: The Way Ahead
18 Cinema Lane: In Love And War
Sean Munger: Downfall
Movie Rob: The Sea Wolves and Anne Frank Remembered
Oscars And I: 49th Parallel
Pure Entertainment Preservation Society: Destination Tokyo
Stars And Letters: A letter about WW2
Diary Of A Movie Maniac: The Secret Of Santa Vittoria
Hi Maddy! I’m sure you’re not surprised about me commenting first 😂 May I please write about Mrs Miniver and OSS?
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🙂 Of course you can. Glad to have joining us.
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Thank you 💫
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Hi Maddy. Can I do Kelly‘s Heroes please?
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You sure can. Thanks for joining, Cat. Hope things are all good with you, not seen you around for a bit.
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Hi Maddy. All good…just got so much on the go with work at the moment…not enough hours in the day 🙂 And just been busy…early mornings, late nights…but trying to be at least a little active here…for me…
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Glad all is good. I know what that’s like.
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🙂
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Hi Maddy, can I review Carve Her Name With Pride?
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It’s all yours, V. Thanks for joining.
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My pleasure.
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Hi, Maddy; I’d like to do The Demi-Paradise, which (I regret to say) goes by the alternate title Adventure for Two. 1943, with Laurence Olivier and Penelope Ward. My blog has been changed to https://backstoryclassic.com/
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Hi, Linda. You sure can. Thanks for joining.
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I’m definitely in! just have to decide which films to choose. 🙂
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The Sea Wolves (180), Anne Frank Remembered (1995) and ??? (I’m still deciding) 🙂
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Can I do THE BIG RED ONE for the Stop Button?
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You sure can, Andrew. Thanks for joining.
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I would love to write about ‘La Grande Vadrouille’ (1966). 😊
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It’s all yours, Erica. Thanks for joining.
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Could I write about Army of Shadows (1969)? Thank you!
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It’s all yours, Erin. Thanks for joining. Not heard of this one before and having just looked it up, I’m really looking forward to learning more about it.
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Maddie: Would you consider SCHINDLER’S LIST a WWII movie? If so, I’d like to write about that. If not, I’ll try to find something else.
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It certainly is a WW2 film. It’s all yours. Thanks for joining, Steve.
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My blogathon entry is now live at: https://moviemovieblogblogii.wordpress.com/2019/09/01/schindlers-list-1993-steven-spielbergs-sobering-look-at-the-holocaust/
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Can you add me with A Bridge too Far (1977)? Thanks Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews.
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It’s all yours, Gill. Thanks for joining.
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No problem, was thinking you due to announce one soon…
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You know me too well LOL.
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Hi, I’d like to take Hangmen Also Die.
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Great film. It’s all yours. Thanks for joining.
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Hi, Maddy! Can I please write about “Thirthy Seconds Over Tokyo” (1944) and “The Great Escape” (1963)?
My blog: Back to Golden Days (http://back-to-golden-days.blogspot.com/)
-Cátia. xo
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You sure can, Catia. Thanks for joining.
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That’s a great idea. Will it be “appropriate” for me to review Clint Eastwood’s “Letters from Iwo Jima” (2006)? I know it is a film from the perspectives of the Japanese, but I guess Eastwood wanted to make an anti-war movie about the futility of wars in general no matter what side one fights on.
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Of course you can review that film. Thanks for joining. I like that this showed the war from another perspective. Another good one about the Japanese during the war, is The Human Condition trilogy.
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Would it be possible to write an entry for the World War II Blogathon that discusses a film like Cornered (1945), about the immediate aftermath of the war as experienced by Dick Powell’s character Laurence Gerard? And if I need to pick a date, can it be September 3? (I left this same request at Cinema Essentials.)
Many thanks for hosting!
Marianne
Make Mine Film Noir
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Of course, Marianne. Good idea. I’ll put you down for Cornered then. You can post on any day, just leave a comment for us on our blogs when your post is ready.
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It took me a while to settle on a title. I’d like to work up something on Corvette K-225, one of those Hollywood nods to their allies across the northern border.
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You got it, Paddy. Never heard of that and am looking forward to learning more about it.
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I’d love to to Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) if no one else has spoken for it. Really looking forward to this. 🙂
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It’s all yours, Ruth. Good film.
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Can I write about The Seventh Cross (1944)?
Thanks!
Le from Critica Retro
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You sure can, Le. Thanks for joining.
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The problem is narrowing it down to three! (one each day…) OK. The first one has to be “Patton”. I finally got to see that on the big screen this year, but haven’t written it up yet. That covers the fighting theater. For a POW movie I’d like “Von Ryan’s Express” (my second favorite POW movie, behind “The Great Escape” which I’ve already done as a post). Third I’d like to get a little light-hearted and do a piece about the home front and cover Steven Spielberg’s somewhat mis-maligned “1941”.
Quiggy (The Midnite Drive-In)
https://midnitedrive-in.blogspot.com
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You got all three, Quiggy. Thanks for joining us.
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Would it be possible to alter that entry to allow for a book report instead? I’m reading a fine book on the war experiences of five directors: Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston, George Stevens and William Wyler. The title is “Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the second World War” by Mark Harris. I’d substitute it for “1941”….
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Of course you can. I’ll alter that for you, Quiggy.
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Awesome idea Maddy and Jay. It’s a bit way off to commit myself just now but I’m sure I’ll join in later if you’ll have me. I have a list of WW2 films I need to get to so I’m sure I’ll find one which hasn’t been taken yet. All the best Mikey
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Hi Maddy. I’ve just returned from my vacation, and one of the first things I saw was this announcement. Could I please write about “From Here To Eternity” ( 1953 ) please? During my stay in Hawaii, I visited Hanoma Beach Cove and Blowhole, where Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster filmed the iconic kissing scene on the beach. I also went to Pearl Harbour on the same day, so I think its rather fitting that I claim that. Thanks in advance.
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Welcome back, Crystal. It’s all yours. Congratulations by the way for becoming a CMBA member too!
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Hello, Put me down for 1943’s Sahara with Bogie. Please and thanks.
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It’s all yours, Mike. Glad to have you joining us.
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Hi Maddy, I just happened to watch a movie last night that fits and since I’m going to write something up anyway, can you please change me from doing Sahara to Counterpoint (1968). Many thanks as always.
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That’s fine, Mike. Will change it.
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up and running …. https://mikestakeonthemovies.com/2019/09/02/counterpoint-1968/
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There’s so much to choose from on this topic, but this seems like a great chance to do a deep dive on a 1948 Edmund O’Brien vehicle “Fighter Squadron.”
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It’s all yours. Thanks for joining, J-Dub.
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Thanks for letting me join! I’ve updated my blog-a-thon page to include it! https://dubsism.com/2019-movie-blog-a-thons/
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Can I join? I would like to talk about Hollywood Canteen (1944).
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And my blog is Overture Books and Film. https://www.overturebooksandfilm.com/
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You sure can, Christine. Thanks for joining.
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Hi, Maddy! This is so great. I’d like to do Buck Privates, The Mortal Storm, and Wake Island, please, if that’s OK.
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You sure can, Rebecca. Thanks for joining.
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You’re welcome, Maddy. 🙂
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Could I do The Dirty Dozen?
popculturereverie.wordpress.com
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You sure can, Robin. Thanks for joining.
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Would The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) be okay? I’m kind of shocked no one else has taken it, but their loss is my gain, I guess. 😉
LoveLettersToOldHollywood.blogspot.com
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It’s all yours, Michaela. I am shocked too. Thanks so much for joining.
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Hi Maddy. Could I please do Stalag 17 please? Looking forward to this! Regards, Paul
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You sure can, Paul. Thanks for joining.
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Thank you!!
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Hi, Maddy! I was wondering if I could do “So Proudly We Hail” instead of “Buck Privates”? I’m thinking I may save that one for another time.
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Sure you can!
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Cool, thanks, Maddy!
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Hello Maddy, could I write about ‘A Canterbury Tale’, please for Retro Movie Buff (retromoviebuff.com)? Thank you!
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Of course you can. Thanks for joining us, Edirin.
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Thank you! Looking forward to it.
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Hi Maddy. I am swapping The Guns of Navarone for The Bridge on the River Kwai.
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Okay, Jay. Will alter that now. I can’t believe how many people have signed up for this! So exciting.
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Hi; Ted from the blog Just a Cineast
It doesn’t look like anybody has taken Millions Like Us yet; can I take it?
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Sure, Ted. Thanks for joining.
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Hi, Maddy! I just took a peek at this post–just wanted to let you know I’m doing “So Proudly We Hail.” Just so there’s no confusion. 🙂
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No one’s picked The Great Escape yet?
Gimme, please!
Moon in Gemini:
https://debravega.wordpress.com/
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It’s all yours, Debbie. Thanks so much for joining.
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It’s been chosen already. Back to Golden Days is doing that one.
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Hi Debbie. Just seen that someone else is already writing about that one. We’re not allowing duplicate titles. Is there another film you would like to write about?
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I’ll think about it and get back to you.
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Is The Mortal Storm (1940) acceptable? I would love to write about that.
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That’s fine, Debbie. Thanks for joining.
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Hello Maddy! I’d like to join the blogathon by reviewing the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, In Love and War! I also nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award! Here’s the link to my award post:
https://18cinemalane.wordpress.com/2019/07/26/i-won-the-mystery-blogger-award/
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Thanks for joining, I’ll add you to the list. Thank you very much for your nomination, that is very kind of you. Just to let you know that I have chosen not to take part in these types of blog awards.
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You’re welcome! That’s ok if you don’t want to participate in the award, as it’s completely optional. Looking forward to talking about “In Love and War” in September!
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Taking Up Room is also doing In Which We Serve.
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Sorry I didn’t get around to updating my post yet.
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Gill from Realweegiemidget is doing Where Eagles Dare now instead.
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Hi Maddy, can I change my post to 1941 (1979)? thanks Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews
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Hi Gill. Hope you’re well. Going from the other message you sent me, I’m putting you down for Where Eagles Dare.
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Cool thanks Maddie! Wish there was an edit button on WP!
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LOL. Me too, and on Twitter!
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I know I am super late to the party! Not too late, I hope? I would like to do “Downfall” (“Der Untergang” in German) from 2004. Though it will primarily be about that film, I may compare it to other depictions of “the bunker” in movies.
My blog is: https://seanmunger.com/blog/
Also, I have a blogathon of my own running at the same time! Hope it is okay to mention it here: https://seanmunger.com/2019/07/29/some-kind-of-a-man-announcing-the-orson-welles-blogathon/
Thanks, and I look forward to participating!
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Welcome, Sean. That is a great flick. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on it. Thanks for joining.
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“Oscars and I” is going to do 49th Parallel.
Not long now!
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Cheers. I’m looking forward to it, mate. I can’t get over how many people have signed up! This is going to be fab.
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Dear Maddy,
This looks like a great blogathon! I am a huge supporter of World War II films, especially those made during the war, since I think they tell viewers more about the real history of the war than textbooks. I would like to participate with an article about “Destination Tokyo” from 1943, if that hasn’t been claimed yet.
Yours Hopefully,
Tiffany Brannan
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It’s all yours, Tiffany. Thank you so much for joining.
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Dear Maddy,
Thank you! I am looking forward to this.
By the way, I would like to invite you to a blogathon my sister is hosting, “The Phantom of the Opera Blogathon.” Taking place on September 23-25, it will be dedicated to all things “phantom.” I don’t know if you are a “phan,” but we would love to have you join us! https://pureentertainmentpreservationsociety.wordpress.com/2019/08/14/its-here-the-phantom-of-the-opera-blogathon/.
Yours Hopefully,
Tiffany Brannan
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Hi Maddy,
Can I join with a letter concerning WWII?
Thanks!
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Of course you can, Clarissa. Thanks for joining.
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Hi Maddy, I posted my entry a little early:
https://silverscreenings.org/2019/08/29/that-time-america-and-japan-re-enacted-pearl-harbor/
Thanks for hosting this! 🙂
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Thanks, Ruth. Can’t wait to read it. I can’t believe how many people have signed up to take part! Going to make for interesting reading.
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Diary of a Movie Maniac is doing The Secret of Santa Vittoria.
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First entry is up
http://midnitedrive-in.blogspot.com/2019/09/train-to-freedom.html
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Great review, Quiggy. I have only seen this once and on the strength of your review I will be sure to check it out again. This one doesn’t always get a lot of attention, so many thanks for shining the spotlight on it. Thank you so much for joining us.
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Here is my entry! A pleasure to take part in this event.
https://seanmunger.com/2019/09/02/when-unreal-worlds-collapse-downfall-der-untergang-denial-and-disaster/
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Dear Maddy,
I have been trying to send you the link to my article, but my computer was being difficult. I finally am able to post a comment. Here it is: https://pureentertainmentpreservationsociety.wordpress.com/2019/09/01/52-code-films-week-35-destination-tokyo-from-1944/. Thank you! I hope your blogathon was a great success.
Yours Hopefully,
Tiffany Brannan
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