Bibframe Work

Machine generated contents note: 1940 * A Matter of Life or Death 3

As the world sank further into violence, Californians distracted themselves through

pleasure. Was this a delusional response-or a brave and defiant celebration of life

over death?

2 1941 * Shelling Santa Barbara 34

For nearly forty years, white California had been harassing Japanese immigrants and

denigrating their culture. Now, as an Imperial submarine surfaced off Santa Barbara,

the time of retribution seemed at hand.

3 1942 * Garrison State 66

Mobilizing itself for war, the nation chose California as a strategic center for military

training and deployment. Millions of young Americans experienced California at a

critical time of national and personal life. Tragically, one segment of California ex-

perienced these years behind barbed wire.

4 1943 * Zoot Suit 96

Why should a fashion among Mexican-American teenagers provoke such rage among

police and servicemen? And why should these servicemen be rioting, with police as-

sistance, in such a stylized manner? The answers shed light on the wartime situation

of minorities in California.

5 1944 * Swing Shift 123

The more female became its workforce, the more aviation developed an industrial

culture far ahead of its time. The individual worker, significantly female, now became

the focal point of creative organization and productivity. Henry J. Kaiser, mean-

while, was perfecting the art of mass production and a full program of workers'

benefits.

6 1945 * Hollywood Canteen 159

Even in wartime, Hollywood was concerned with positioning itself. Through its films,

stars in uniform, and USO entertainments at home and at the front, Hollywood made

sure that World War II remained a celebrity event.

7 1946 * Homecoming 183

Homecoming had its anxieties and adjustments as well as its elations and triumphs.

The fact that so many returning veterans were choosing California as the place to

come home to only compounded the drama. Simultaneously, California was serving

the needs of those who wanted to fit back in as soon as possible and those who were

nursing a rebellious resentment.

8 1947 Black Dahlia 213

In the sad life and tragic death of one damaged V-girl, the underside of home-front

and post-war Los Angeles stood revealed. Still, for all its shoddiness, the City of Angels

possessed a certain sassy, savvy energy. It was, among other things, a Front Page kind

of town where life was lived by many on the edge, and that made for good copy and

good film noir.

9 1948 * Honey Bear 241

While Earl Warren was steering California through the post-war era, his photogenic

family was helping forge a new way of communicating political value. When youngest

daughter Honey Bear contracted polio, all California held its breath and waited.

Honey Bear, after all, embodied the post-war hopes of an entire state.

10 1949 * Mexicali Rose 281

Reactivated by the Cold War, the Depression-era clash of Reds and Red-hunters

resurfaced with a vengeance. When it came to Red-baiting, no one could outperform

a portly ex-bandleader state senator from the Folks. It was not a pleasant time.

11 1950 * Police Action 308

As the 40th Division of the California National Guard shipped out for Korea, the

regents of the University of California were pursuing a police action of their own. At

stake, among other things, was the question of just exactly who was going to control

California and its university.

Notes 340

Bibliographical Essay 346

Acknowledgments 365

Index 367