'Sergeant York'

Sergeant York was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning just two for film editing and a second for Best Actor going to Gary Cooper.

It was released in the summer of 1941. Obviously, it's based on the true story of Alvin York, a dumb sharpshooting hick from Tennessee, who finds God then finds himself drafted for service during World War I. Initially against killing due to his new-found religion, York winds up using his leadership and shooting skills to take something like 130 German prisoners and wound up being the most decorated veteran from the war.

Months after the film's release, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor prompting the United States to enter into war against them and the Germans. Not that most young men needed much of a prod to join the fight, Sergeant York didn't hurt. Of course, the war didn't hurt box-office numbers of the film. It was the highest grossing film of 1941. And young men often left the theater and went straight to the recruitment office. If war were only as easy as Cooper's York made it appear -- capturing hundreds with a pistol!

Cooper actually resisted attempts to play York. Probably as much as York resisted attempts to purchase the rights to his story. Once he relented, he demanded Cooper portray him on the big screen. It takes balls to make such a demand. Then again, it was his story and it's not like York was an ugly man. He was quite handsome.