Jim B. Smith, author of The Last Mission and featured in the History Channel documentary of the same name, is now visualizing a feature movie to share this remarkable missing history that ended WWII!

In April 2005, he noted, "We have signed with Chris McQuarry, the Academy Award Screenwriter (Usual Suspects). He does suspense with twists and turns and he should make a classic from The Last Mission. It will be based on the book which means lots of entertaining dramatization."

The screenplay is finally in its final stages of being written, as of April 2006.

Smith already has in mind music for the movie, based on songs he wrote years ago. Read on and take a listen to snippets from some of them.
(Smith is a professional music writer—a member of ASCAP: American Society of Composers Artists and Publishers. All of these songs were written as 40s vintage.)

Bring Back the Beginning

"I wrote Bring Back The Beginning about broken love!" Smith notes. "One happened before going over seas and one after I returned. Both incidents inspired me to write the song."

This song would be perfect in the movie for any sequence where a crewmember is reading a letter from his wife or girlfriend, reminiscing or dreaming about home. Also the music in Bring Back the Beginning is perfect for scoring the soundtrack of The Last Mission.

Morning's Chasin' Shadows

"Morning's Chasin' Shadows was inspired by my memory of returning to Northwest Field after bombing the last target, hearing Truman's end of the war announcement, and watching the dawn light up the inside of The Boomerang."

Smith feels that this song should be used on the soundtrack as we are returning from the last mission. The scene would take place after we hear President Truman’s official announcement ending WWII. The aircraft commander is putting The Boomerang through various maneuvers in celebration while the crewmembers are watching the brightest morning exploding over the Pacific. Also The Morning’s Chasin' Shadows can be used in scenes in the barracks as we wake up and begin packing to return to the USA. Etc. It’s a Coming Home song!

Silent Love

"Silent Love was written about my Dad having trouble saying goodbye before I left for overseas."

This song would be best for sequences of crewmembers saying goodbye to their wives and girlfriends.

Don't (Tell Me) Say Goodbye

"Don't Tell Me Goodbye was inspired by my own thoughts of goodbye."

Another good song for scenes of crewmembers saying goodbye to family or sweethearts.

Return to The Last Mission for the whole story about Jim B. Smith and "The Last Mission."