WHERE WERE YOU? PART 1
by William "Blissey" Raymer
December 7, 1941. It was on this day that the world changed, not unlike 9/11 in our day and age. At about 7:55 AM local time that morning, a Japanese air fleet staged a massive and surprise assault on the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. But, if Japan wanted to keep America out of what would become World War II, the results were just the opposite. And, like their fellow Americans, Danny Goldsmith, Sawyer Dumas and the other members of the Animals-Only Company at Mammoth Pictures wanted to contribute to the war effort in any way possible.
In researching "Animated Earth Chronicles: The Legend of Darla Dimple," I recently came across a collection of documents which showed how the M.P.A.O.C. helped America through the darkest times in its history up to that point. And, with the permission of those involved, I have compiled these documents into the volume you are now reading.
First, Danny and Sawyer's story.
WHERE WERE YOU? VOLUME 1: DANNY AND SAWYER: THE WORD IS GIVEN
Danny Goldsmith was listening to the football game between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers as he was getting ready to go to a promotional event for his latest movie, when the game was interrupted by a news report that would shake the entire nation to its core. "We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this important bulletin from the United Press," the reporter said. "Flash! Washington. The White House announces Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Stay tuned to this station for further developments which will be broadcast as soon as they are available."
Danny's jaw dropped as what he heard sunk into his mind. He then picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number. "Dumas residence," a voice said. "Hello, this is Daniel Goldsmith. I need to speak to Sawyer." There was a click as the person who answered the phone gave the handset to Sawyer. "Hello," Sawyer said.
"Sawyer, did you hear the news on the radio?" Danny asked. "The Japs got Pearl Harbor!" "I know, Danny, and I was just about to call you," Sawyer said. "I was listening to the New York Philharmonic when the reporter came on and said that the Japanese bombed Pearl at about 5 'till 8:00 this morning Hawaii time. The Arizona sank, heck, most of the ships that were docked at Pearl are gone!"
Danny asked the question that came to his mind almost to the moment he began to absorb the devastating news. "Sawyer, do you think America's going to go to war?" Danny asked. "I'm sure that's going to happen," Sawyer said. "But, we civilians will probably have a role to play, too."
The next morning, the official announcement came: after a Cabinet meeting the previous night, President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially declared war on Japan and its allies, Germany and Italy. The "Axis Powers" responded in kind. America was now at war.
Mammoth Pictures chairman L.B. Mammoth announced, that like several studios had already done, Mammoth Pictures would support the war effort in any way possible. The newly-christened Mammoth Pictures Animals-Only Company would serve as Mammoth Pictures' representatives to the U.S.O., a newly-created organization that would provide battlefield and home front morale support to officers and their families.
But, Danny wanted to take it one step further and went to a nearby recruitment office to join the service. "I'm sorry, Mr. Goldsmith, but we cannot take you due to your physical abilities not being up to our standards," the recruiter said. "That's okay," Danny said. "But, you can still contribute to the war effort," the recruiter said. "That is true," Danny said. "Mammoth Pictures chose me and my fellow animals to serve as the studio's U.S.O. reps."
"Bless you, Mr. Goldsmith," the recruiter said as he saluted Danny. Danny returned the salute and left the recruiting office.
This next section, told from Cranston Goat's point of view, shows how he and Frances Fish were greeted by U.S. military officers at a special U.S.O. screening of a film they made while on loan to Warner Bros. called Casablanca. (see the poster montage at the end of Cats Don't Dance.)
WHERE WERE YOU? VOLUME 2: CRANSTON GOAT: WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE...
Cranston Goat knew that his movie for Warner Bros., Casablanca, would be shown to an audience of military officers who were on shore leave before heading back out to the front. But, what he did not know and could not prepare for was the response to the movie that he and Frances would recieve.
Backstage, Cranston and Frances were watching the movie in reverse (R.N.-Think how Lil' Ark Angel was shown as Danny and Pudge were preparing backstage for the big performance in C.D.D.-W."B."R.) Frances smiled as, in the movie, Ilsa (Frances) got on a plane and left Casablanca (and Rick-Cranston's character) behind. As the screen went dark and the curtain closed, Cranston did something he rarely did, especially since the war began: he smiled too.
"So, dahling, like the movie?" Frances asked. "Yes," Cranston said. "I think it's our best work yet." As the screen went up, Cranston adopted a worried look and tone. "I just hope those G.I.s like it."
"And now," the emcee said, "here are the stars of Casablanca, direct from Mammoth Pictures, Cranston Goat and Frances Fish!" The curtains opened onto a standing ovation. The emcee put a microphone in front of Cranston and Frances.
"Thank you for your kind applause, dahlings," Frances said. "When we learned that Mr. Mammoth had decided to loan us out to Mr. Warner, we were wondering what kind of a movie we would do while we were at Warner's." "But," Cranston said, "based on the reaction we got from the fighting men of the United States military, we knew we had made the best movie we ever have made."
"Now, men of the U.S. military, return to where tyranny reigns and show their darkness the light and the might of freedom!" Cranston said. The military officers cheered once more as the curtain closed.
Cranston turned to Frances. "You know what, Frances? I think that might make a good line for a movie," Cranston said. "You may be right, Cranston," Frances said.
Next up, a story from the point of view of L.B. Mammoth, who describes, in his own words, how the Mammoth Pictures lot was virtually taken over by the United States military for the production of military propaganda and training films, like how the Disney studio lot was taken over by the U.S. military for the same purpose in the real world's WWII.
WHERE WERE YOU? VOLUME 3: L.B. MAMMOTH: THEY'RE LIKE ANTS AT A PICNIC
I had a feeling this would happen. All the major studios in town have military contingents on their lots. Warner Bros., M-G-M, Paramount, they all have military personnel on their lots. But, Mammoth Pictures has, by far, the most military officers I've seen on a movie studio lot.
All four branches are making training and propaganda films here at Mammoth. I've even had to reopen Stage 23, which I have kept unused since the Darladdin Incident 11 years ago. I've had to order every actor, costumer, musician, writer, producer and director under contract to Mammoth Pictures to be on stand-by, just in case they are needed.
The M.P.A.O.C. is not exempt from those orders, despite their commitments to the U.S.O. I've been told that Danny Goldsmith and Sawyer Dumas are going to appear in a film about how a G.I.'s being drafted to war affects not just him, but his girl back home.
I just hope this war ends as quickly as possible. I don't think Mammoth Pictures can last long as a military unit. I pity all the other studios for having to put up with this (censored).
END OF PART ONE
In the next installment of Where Were You?:
Pudge does his part by performing at the Stage Door Canteen...
Tillie serves as a civilian nurse...
And Darla Dimple sets her jealousy and quest for revenge aside for the good of the country.