If you ever make a movie about World War II in Europe,

[Aristus]

be sure to put a piano in the street during the fighting.

"Piano in the street" seems to be filmmaker shorthand for 'chaos, confusion, and displacement'.

I've seen it in "Saving Private Ryan", and "Band Of Brothers". I'm sure it is in other war films, as well.

So remember: piano in the street...

[Redstone]

1. I never noticed that, but I'll be on the lookout for it.

Redstone

[Aristus]

2. 'Piano in the street' is even in the credit sequence for "Band Of Brothers".

I'm going to look for it in some other, older WWII films when I get a chance.

[bikebloke]

3. La France

Though it's the Great War. But in parts of the film there were the 60's style pop musical interludes where the soldiers happen to pick up instruments like a piano. It sounds weird, but it worked.

[sarge43]

4. A torn stuffed toy, especially a doll, in the street is a bonus point.

Director, if you want to ditch an asshole actor, give him a monologue about family and home and sweetheart. You can kill him off in the next battle scene. Works every time.

[Aristus]

5. The first time I ever saw "Saving Private Ryan", I really hoped Tom Hanks's character

would survive to the end.

When the scene came up where he's talking about his wife and his hometown, I knew he was done for...

The doll, the poignant, torn, dirt-covered doll, is also a common trope used in setting the scene for a WWII battle. But a doll can be carried lightly and dropped easily. It doesn't shout "confusion, panic, and disruption" the way the heavy, ponderous piano in the street does.

[sarge43]

6. Nitpicker that I am, I always wonder

how the piano got out into the street in the first place. Really, if you trying to stay one jump ahead of the wolves, would you think "I must bring the piano!"?

The other one that will guaranteed get you killed -- carrying on about kicking bad guy ass, especially when the old heads give you The Look.

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. "A torn stuffed toy, especially a doll, in the street is a bonus point."

Ah, the loss of innocence.

A weeping clown would be too uncouth to carry the same message in a war film, though, unless it were then blowed up real good.

[KamaAina]

7. Would also work nicely in a movie about Katrina

since pianists like Professor Longhair, James Booker, and Dr. John are such an integral part of New Orleans music.

[edbermac]

8. And don't forget the kid from Brooklyn.

Every WW2 movie I've seen has a kid from Brooklyn.

[sarge43]

10. And the Texan. n/t

[Aristus]

11. The corollary to the tough kid from Brooklyn is the dewy-eyed young innocent,

far from home and mother.

He either dies very soon in the film, to show the Nazis mean bidness, or he becomes a Medal of Honor tiger on the battlefield...

[sarge43]

12. Innocent: Best used with the real deal: Sgt York or Audie Murphy. n/t

[MilesColtrane]

13. I'd rather have my organ out on the balcony.

Reminds me of Mardis Gras!

[LanternWaste]

14. And shelled buildings, too...

And shelled buildings, too... unoriginal film-makers always seems to have a least a handful of shelled buildings in their movies. What's up with that...?