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When it comes to finding a publicity angle there can be few institutions that could rival the movie studios at the height of their success. The Hollywood public relations machine of the major wartime studios like MGM, Fox, Universal, Warner and Columbia was well aware of the publicity potential in the naming of an aircraft when it came to launching a new movie or promoting one of their stars. It was more than willing to co-operate with the PR officers on the ground who were, in turn, concerned with the continual boosting and maintenance of morale on the combat and supporting bases. Entertainers travelled the world to visit troops in far flung bases on their USO tours and it was not uncommon for famous movie stars, US and British, to hold naming ceremonies whilst at an air base before and after performing their show. Occasionally, the stars actually got to choose the name themselves but more commonly it had been selected by the PR men attached to the unit or the studios publicity agents. One particularly amusing example was the naming of a B17 Fortress at the 381st Bomb Group's base at Ridgewell, England, by Edward G Robinson. He chose the title "Happy Bottom" and explained to his puzzled audience that it was for his wife "Glad-Ass!" On that occasion the name was chosen soon after the star's arrival at the base and was hastily painted on the B17's nose while the star toured the base. This contrasted with the naming of "Yankee Doodle Dandy", a 390th Bomb Group Fort, used to promote the popular movie of that name starring Jimmy Cagney. The elaborate montage of stars and multi-coloured titling with striped top hat must have been prepared well in advance of the naming ceremony attended by the star himself.
