Serial Number: 19884
Title: Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
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Country of Origin: US
Genre: Private Gallery - The 40's
Subject:
Size: COLLECTOR'S CARD 2.5x3.5
Condition: EX
Card Number: 40/54
Price: $NOT FOR SALE
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| Actors/Actresses: Wally Cassell, Martin Milner, Leonard Gumley |
| Notes: Director: Allan Dwan; A Jewish reference in Sands of Iwo Jima? Well, as happened in a number of the so called “Platoon Movies” of the 40’s about WWII, here too is the token Jew. Among the green recruits led by the tough Sgt. Stryker(John Wayne) is one Pvt. Sid Stein. It is an tiny and insignificant role, with hardly any dialogue at all, and yet, no Jew in the audience would ever miss it. Private Stein is hit by a sniper’s bullet, and even though Stryker quickly kills the sniper, Stein’s wound is fatal and he dies in The Duke’s arms, but not before he recites the “Shema” with his dying breath – Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one. This is considered the most important prayer in Judaism, and is recited in every morning and evening prayer, as well as before dying. Unfortunately, the role, played by an unknown actor named Leonard Gumley, is so small that Pvt. Stein simply does not appear on any poster. The closest I could find is this lobby card, where John Wayne is surrounded a group of attentive soldiers, just prior to the battle in which Stein gets killed. Not deterred by the absence of Pvt. Stein from any movie paper, I managed to track down two sets of Collectors’ Cards for the movie Sands of Iwo Jima. By their very nature sets like these tend to be extensive, and luckily, 3 cards do justice to both character and actor and save them from virtual oblivion. One of them even depicts the key scene: Prayer for the dying! |
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