The Rifleman’s Violin
Directed by Sam Ball
Description
With wit and verve, 90-year-old virtuoso violinist Stuart Canin recounts how, as a 19-year-old GI, he deployed to the German front with his rifle and violin on his back during World War II. After Germany capitulated, Canin was once again pressed into service, this time as a musician in the Army’s 6817th Soldiers Show Company. After a few weeks entertaining wounded troops, Canin was dispatched to Potsdam on the outskirts of Berlin to perform privately for the Big Three – Harry Truman, Winston Churchill and Josef Stalin – in an effort to break the ice during the negotiations over the division of Europe and the prosecution of the war against Japan.
Director's Bio
Documentary film and multimedia director Sam Ball is co-founder of Citizen Film, which has produced more than 150 documentary films and multimedia projects for museums, cultural and educational institutions, and television. Ball’s films have been exhibited at many of America’s most prestigious venues, from the Sundance Film Festival to the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Precedes
-
Happy
Mike Dorsey / Air Force, WWII, History / USA / 2017 / Documentary / 40 mins
WWII fighter ace Larry ‘Happy’ Powell flew 68 missions over Europe in his P-51 fighter. After crashing and spending time as a POW in Germany, Larry returned to his home city of Los Angeles for a dual career in the Air National Guard and as an assistant director in Hollywood. He worked on many Hollywood classics including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Right Stuff. Happy showcases gripping stories from WWII and Hollywood sets, and leaves us with Larry’s unique outlook on life.Preceded by: All American, The Rifleman’s Violin, We Can Do It: Stories of Rosie the Riveter
-
We Can Do It: Stories of Rosie the Riveter
Scott Bethel / WWII, Women, History / USA / 2016 / Documentary / 35 mins
During World War II millions of courageous women, most of them teenagers, joined the labor force and coined the term “Rosie the Riveter.” They didn’t realize they were changing the world forever.Preceded by: All American, The Rifleman’s Violin
Precedes: Happy
Plays in
-
World War II Remembered – Part 1
WWII, Women, History
This collection of short films honor the stories and sacrifice of the greatest generation.In This Program: All American, The Rifleman’s Violin, We Can Do It: Stories of Rosie the Riveter, Happy
Preceded By
-
All American
Michael Ayjian, Stephen Skeel / WWII, History / USA / 2016 / Documentary / 9 mins
72 years later after D-Day, WWII hero Les Cruise flies again on the same plane - this time his family boarded with him. While he is one of the last surviving D-Day paratroopers, Cruise’s story is not only about his historic jump. It’s also about his familial journey from orphan to great-grandfather.Precedes: Happy, The Rifleman’s Violin, We Can Do It: Stories of Rosie the Riveter
