January 7, 2020
Charlottesville, Virginia
For Immediate Release
World War 2 Veteran Joins the Cast of the Historical Drama, Elijah and Jack, A Revolutionary Tale
Dr. Frank Taylor is a funny, sharp, retired physician who served in WW2 including the Battle of Metz and Battle of the Bulge. You would think he is 65 or 70 but he is 96 with no signs of slowing down.
Risa Leigh Clarke, Producer, Director and Writer with 1663 Media Arts, LLC was introduced to Dr. Taylor through Al Underwood of the Horses In Action Foundation. She shares “I was so inspired by Dr. Taylor and his selfless acts for our great nation that we invited him to join our film family! We will further honor him by creating a role for Dr. Taylor in our historical drama Elijah and Jack, A Revolutionary Tale!”
Elijah and Jack is inspired by the Historical Children’s Book, George Washington’s Army and Me, by Author and Illustrator Michael Dooling. The movie tells the adventures of a courageous farm-boy and his faithful dog as they encounter famous figures of the American Revolution on his search for his father who has gone missing during the 1778 Battle of Monmouth.
Described by its creators as “Tom Sawyer Meets The Patriot”, the movie will highlight the often-forgotten lives of camp followers who served alongside the armies of the conflict, and will appeal to families and viewers of all ages, lovers of history, and of course appreciators of good film-making.
Dr. Taylor represents the Army legacy, the “greatest generation” that saved the free world during WW2 and the wonderful community we all enjoy. His college career at Hampden-Sydney College was cut short just two months prior to graduation when he and his classmates were drafted into the Army in 1943.
He was assigned to the 95th Infantry Artillery, Fire Direction Center. He arrived in England in August of 1944 and went into combat in France in September. The 95th Division was assigned to Patton’s Third Army and pushed forward to secure the bridges along the Moselle River in northeast France, including the “fortress city” of Metz, replete with entrenchments, tunnels and multiple fortresses.
Hitler directed almost five German Divisions to “hold at all costs” but securing these sites would enable allied Armies to enter Germany. The vicious battle to secure Metz went on for three months, until 13 December and Sergeant Taylor and the 95th Division earned the nickname “Iron Men of Metz”.
Two weeks later, on 26 December, the German Army initiated the “Battle of the Bulge” just north of Sergeant Taylor’s location. In spite of the extremely cold temperatures and snowstorms (the oil in vehicles began to congeal and 17k soldiers were hospitalized from cold weather injuries) Patton’s Army pushed north to relieve the paratroopers surrounded at Bastogne and successfully cut off the German advance. Dr. Taylor pushed into occupied Holland and then central Germany firing well over 200,000 rounds into enemy forces.
After the war, Dr. Taylor recommitted his efforts to reenter the medical profession through University of Virginia and the Cleveland Clinic, which he completed in 1954. He treated thousands of patients in the Charlottesville area and served as an instructor of internal medicine at UVA for fifty years.
He has also served as the President of several professional medical organizations and served the community through the Rotary Club, Mayflower Society and Sons of the American Revolution. His awards and accolades are warranted and numerous from three campaign stars and the French Legion of Honor to numerous medical and community awards.
Dr. Taylor recently attended the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the deliverance of Metz from the Nazis, where he was heralded by French leaders and citizens as a genuine, heroic liberator.
A true, humble hero, Dr. Taylor never spoke of his service, sacrifice or heroics during World War Two, until recently when the Rotary Club asked him to speak about his experience as a WW2 Army veteran. Dr. Taylor’s life, in service to others, on the battlefield and in dozens of hospitals, represent a nobility of character that serve as a model for us all. In fact, we are all part of that legacy. As MLK said, “we can all be great, because we can all serve”.
About the movie:
Elijah and Jack, A Revolutionary Tale A courageous 8-year-old farm-boy and his faithful dog set out on a frantic search for his father, a farmer who joins the American Revolution to avenge the death of his wife who was killed by British Horse Soldiers.
Described by its creators as Huckleberry Finn meets The Patriot, the movie is an adventurous, action-filled, at-time humorous, heartfelt story woven in the fabric of Family, Freedom, Home…with a twist of Redemption!
The movie production will film a Proof of Concept Trailer January 2020. The feature film budget is $5.9 million; the production has a Fiscal Sponsor to offer a tax credit to donors. Their goal is to begin filming late spring 2020 at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, VA and release the movie in theaters early Fall 2020.
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Media Contact:
info@1663MediaArts.com
http://ElijahandJack.com
Rescue Pup 
Through the eyes of a courageous 8-year-old farm boy and his faithful dog Jack, the Historical Drama 
Drew Youngblood has been cast in the starring role of “Elijah” in the historical drama “Elijah and Jack – A Revolutionary Tale,” produced by 1663 Media Arts, LLC.
