In early 1943, American movie studios came together to formalize a collaboration with the Office of War Information (OWI), agreeing to allow the agency to oversee the content of their films. This partnership was borne from the necessity to support the war effort and ensure that film narratives aligned with the government's objectives. The OWI was established as a means to regulate and promote American wartime propaganda, aimed at maintaining public morale and fostering a unified national identity during a tumultuous time. Studios recognized that their films could significantly shape public sentiment and attitudes towards the war, and thus, they sought to ensure their productions conveyed appropriately patriotic messages.

The OWI's involvement meant that any film projects would be subject to their review processes, which aimed to censor any elements deemed counterproductive to the war effort, such as depictions of military incompetence or civilian dissent. Major studios like MGM, Warner Bros., and 20th Century Fox participated in this collaborative effort, producing films that would celebrate military victories and promote the American spirit. This censorship also extended to preventing negative portrayals of American allies and maintaining a cohesive narrative that supported the United States' role in the worldwide conflict. As a result, a series of influential war films emerged, serving both entertainment and ideological purposes.

This agreement not only impacted the content of films produced during the war but also set a precedent for future collaborations between the government and the entertainment industry. Through such partnerships, filmmakers learned to balance their creative impulses with national messaging, shaping a film landscape that was as much about storytelling as it was about promoting the ideals and objectives of the wartime government.