The 1940s were a dark decade dominated by war in Europe and Asia.  While the US didn't enter World War II until the end of 1941, it was not immune from the prevailing mood of angst.As the Nazis threatened to eradicate jews, gypsies and other minorities, Europe's loss was the US's gain. Hollywood benefited hugely from an influx of talent – the exiles included actors and actresses, directors, producers, art directors and photographers, composers and musicians.Not only did they help to reinvigorate the studios, they played a vital role in the development of film noir, a defining genre of the decade – a decade that produced, among other movies, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Mildred Pierce, The Third Man, Double Indemnity, The Big Sleep, The Killers, Gilda, The Lady from Shanghai and To Have and Have Not.This page is dedicated to the actresses – those who went on to become household names such as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, … [Read more...]