Somebody's having a birthday Friday. And this being July Fourth means there will be plenty of U.S. flags flying. Here's a half-dozen films that in their own way honor Old Glory:

1. "Stars and Stripes Forever" (1952) — Clifton Webb plays John Philip Sousa with piccolos and trombones as co-stars.

2. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (1942) — James Cagney won an Oscar playing George M. Cohan and singing and dancing to "You're a Grand Old Flag."

3. "Patton" (1970) — As Gen. George S. Patton, Oscar winner George C. Scott delivers an iconic speech in front of a very large U.S. flag.

4. "The Flag: A Story Inspired by the Tradition of Betsy Ross" (1927) — A silent film with Enid Bennett as the memorable sewer.

5. "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939) — After the successful defense of their fort, Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert admire the new flag that represents the original 13 colonies.

6. "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006) — Clint Eastwood's account of the lives of some of the men involved in the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima in World War II.

— Bob Longino

Featured

Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC