In the Navy

Starring:Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Powell, Claire Dodd, Patty Andrews, Maxene Andrews, Laverne Andrews, Dick Foran, Billy Lenhart, Kenneth Brown, Shemp Howard, Frank Condos, Harry Condos, Richard Alexander, Jack Roper, Patsy O'Byrne, Gayle Mellott, Jack Mulhall, Frank Penny, Ralph Dunn
Director: Arthur Lubin
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Description

Get ready for big laughs with Abbott and Costello, undeniably the most popular comedy team of all time! Now, the classic films of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are available on DVD in this hilarious collection.

The wildly popular comic duo has entertained audiences since 1931, conquering vaudeville, radio and the silver screen in nearly 40 films. Enjoy these side-splitting hits like Buck Privates and Hold That Ghost in this collection of eight full-length features. The Best of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello: Volume 1 will have you laughing out loud again and again!

One Night in the Tropics (1940)
Bud and Lou get mixed up in a "Love Insurance" scheme.

Buck Privates (1941)
The duo accidentally enlists in the U.S. Army to avoid getting arrested!

In the Navy (1941)
Bud and Lou are sailors bound for duty on the high seas in this musical comedy.

Hold that Ghost (1941)
The boys inherit a haunted house formerly owned by a mobster.

Keep `Em Flying (1941)
Bud and Lou enlist in the Army Air Corps and get caught up in a love triangle.

Ride `Em Cowboy (1942)
The duo head to the Lazy S ranch to hide after Lou accidentally proposes to an Indian girl.

Pardon My Sarong (1942)
Bud and Lou travel to the South Seas where Lou is mistaken for a legendary god!

Who Done It? (1942)
The boys are suspected of murder while being targeted by the actual killer.

Customer Reviews:

Laughing all the way...........2007-06-30

I remember some of these movies from when I was a kid (okay, I'm dating myself but I don't care). "Hold That Ghost", which is the reason I bought this collection, has some of the funniest bits EVER captured on film. No "off color" language or jokes -- just lots of laughs. The exchange after Joan Davis runs into Lou Costello and knocks him down STILL makes me laugh out loud. If you like "funny" -- this is your ticket.

Classic comedies.......2007-06-24

It may be hard to believe nowadays, but Abbott and Costello were once one of the biggest box office draws at the movies. In the early 1940s, their movies were among the tops in terms of tickets. Nowadays, they seem to be mostly forgotten except by fans of old movies, which is too bad. Their movies may not be the best comedy ever written, but they are all pretty fun. Volume 1 of The Best of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello features their first eight films.

One Night in the Tropics is their screen debut. They are actually just secondary characters who contribute little to the plot (involving some romantic mix-ups) but are brought in to lighten things up, with among other things, their "Who's on First" routine. Next up is their first starring feature and the first of their three military comedies, Buck Privates. In this one, they accidentally enlist in the army while trying to avoid a cop who later turns out to be their drill sergeant.

The next of their "service comedies" was In The Navy, in which they assist a famous singer who is trying to become a regular Joe by becoming a sailor. The final service comedy is Keep `Em Flying, which puts them in the early Air Force.

The pair inherit a supposed haunted house on Hold That Ghost. It actually used to belong to a mobster, and some of his loot is still in the place, attracting other hoodlums. In Ride `Em Cowboy, they wind up on a dude ranch. Pardon My Sarong is something of a takeoff on the Hope/Crosby Road pictures, with the two winding up on a tropical island. Finally, in Who Done It?, they are entangled in a murder mystery at a radio station.

There is a very structured approach to these movies: Universal Pictures obviously wanted these churned out quickly (some were out within a couple months of the start of shooting!) and they used plenty of contract players: for example, three movies have Shemp Howard in small parts and Dick Foran in bigger parts. All the movies are pretty short (they range from 78 to 87 minutes). They all have a romantic subplot involving other characters and (with the exception of Who Done It?), they all have several musical numbers, some featuring big names like the Andrews Sisters and Ella Fitzgerald.

At the core, however, are Abbott and Costello, more particularly Lou Costello who forms the comic heart of these stories. They are the same characters in every story: Bud is the fast-talking con man and Lou is the not-so-bright coward with an almost child-like approach to the world. There is plenty of physical comedy, but they are at their best when the two are just talking.

It'd be a bit much to call these films classics, but they are entertaining and they would probably amuse kids as well as adults. I suppose it's also technically inappropriate to call this The Best of Abbott and Costello when it actually is just their first eight movies, but at the same time it is true: this collection does show them in top form.

Great collection.......2007-06-15

Except for "One Night in the Tropics", these are some of Abbott and Costello's most entertaining films. One of my very favorite A@C films, "Ride 'em Cowboy" is marred by the dreadful dream sequence. What makes it more frustrating is to read from sources that other comedy scenes (which sound funnier) were filmed but rejected including extended bits of business with the poker sequence. The rest of "Ride 'em Cowboy" however more than makes up for the dream skit. This dvd set is a great buy for the cost.

Enjoyable films, great price, questionable disc quality.......2007-05-04

While I don't think I'll ever grow to be a *huge* A&C fan, as I've been seeing more and more of their films, I've grown to genuinely like them and to really enjoy watching them, even if I personally don't find them as consistently hilarious and personally endearing as some of the other great comedians of the era. But for this price, and for this many films in one collection, how could anyone go wrong?

'One Night in the Tropics' (1940) is actually a star vehicle for Allan Jones (best-known for his roles in the Marx Brothers' first two MGM films), Nancy Kelly, Robert Cummings, Peggy Moran, and a few other secondary characters. It's an enjoyable movie, but nothing really classic or memorable. A&C are actually the most interesting characters and steal the show, even though their comedy routines are detached from the plot and they're just trotted out as periodic comic relief. They're also not really playing very sympathetic characters in this one. It seems like one of those films that's watched more for the historical interest than for genuine entertainment value.

'Buck Privates' (1941), their first starring vehicle, is considered a classic, though here too they often seem to be relegated to supporting comedians and pushed to the back burner in favor of the romantic subplot. The same holds true in their other two service comedies, 'In the Navy' and 'Keep 'Em Flying' (also from 1941). While all three of their service comedies are genuinely enjoyable and funny, they would have been even stronger and funnier if all of the superfluous musical numbers and the romantic subplots with boring characters we don't really care about had been cut out. They were funny and talented enough to carry a film on their own without being forced to play second-fiddle to secondary characters! The weakest of these three is 'Keep 'Em Flying'; overall it just seems disjointed and inconsistent, and like they'd run out of top-notch material to mine after already doing their first two service comedies. (These service comedies also feel, in hindsight, like subtle propaganda just in case the U.S. really did enter WWII, what with the "Isn't the Army/Navy/Air Force great and fun?" theme.)

'Hold That Ghost' (1941) is also somewhat bogged down by musical numbers and a romantic subplot, but at least here those elements don't take up as much time as in a lot of their other early films. The plotline about spending a night in a haunted house and all of the hair-raising things that happen seems a bit cliché today, and the script seems a little weak, but overall there are enough funny moments and interesting twists and turns in the plot to make it worthwhile.

'Who Done It?" (1942), which mixes comedy and a murder mystery, has a very strong script and a supporting cast. What makes this film so funny and tight is that it focuses almost entirely on A&C instead of being cluttered up by some boring romantic subplot and superfluous song and dance numbers. 'Pardon My Sarong' (1942), made in imitation of the popular Hope and Crosby 'Road' pictures of the time, finds them on a tropical island. Although it does feature musical numbers and a romantic subplot, at least the comedy routines are seamlessly worked into the picture instead of seeming more detached from the plotline, and the subplot seems more interesting than usual. 'Ride 'Em Cowboy' (1942) is enjoyable entertainment and has a good script, though unfortunately has the same formulaic feel that a lot of these other films do--musical numbers and a dull romantic subplot that really slow down the story and relegate A&C to supporting characters. Normally I find Westerns boring and dated at best and offensive at worst, but since this is a comedy Western, I liked it. Even the stereotypical depictions of the Native Americans weren't as bad and offensive as they often are in these kinds of films.

Overall, while A&C aren't my top favorite comedians, I do enjoy watching them, and these early films are no exception. And while the songs and romantic subplots slow the pictures down, the boys are great when they're front and center instead of being relegated to supporting players. However, while this may seem like a great price for 8 films, it's not entirely a great deal. Since these are double-sided discs, they're more prone to scratching and malfunctioning. While the first disc played fine for me, I had to go through a number of different copies before finally getting a second disc that didn't freeze up or skip at any point. Would it have taken that much effort for Universal to ensure more quality control on this classic catalogue? And while the extras (trailers and production notes) are much appreciated, these films and this comedy team are famous and respected enough to have merited something more, like audio commentaries or photo galleries. Still, at least they're represented on DVD now, inferior technical quality or not.

The Best of Abbott and Costello, Vol. 2.......2007-04-02

Abbott and Costello's humor is outstanding and timeless. This collection of some of their movies will have you laughing uproariously, and you will watch these movies over and over again, and keep on laughing even after you've watched them so many times that you know what is going to happen next.

Average customer rating:

In Harm's Way: A Classic
In politics and in war, nothing ever changes
Old Rock of Ages, we've got ourselves another war. A gut bustin', mother-lovin' Navy war.
In Harm's Way with John Wayn
Harm

In Harm's Way
Starring: John Wayne , Kirk Douglas , Patricia Neal , Tom Tryon , and Paula Prentiss
Director: Otto Preminger
Manufacturer: Paramount
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ASIN: B00005ASGD
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Amazon.com essential video

Otto Preminger's sprawling World War II drama packs a lot into its 165 minutes, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor (which Preminger re-creates in amazing detail) and ending a couple of years later with America's return to the South Pacific in force. John Wayne and Kirk Douglas star as a career naval captain and his self-pitying commander in the peacetime navy who are thrust into battle when Pearl Harbor is bombed while they are on maneuvers. Minutes into WWII, they are already scapegoated and demoted by the embarrassed military brass. Wayne romances a WAVE nurse (Patricia Neal) and attempts a reconciliation with his estranged, spoiled son (Brandon de Wilde) while Douglas sinks into the bottle after the death of his cheating wife until the American fleet rebuilds and calls upon Wayne to lead one of the initial invasion forces. Henry Fonda makes a brief but commanding appearance as the fleet admiral. Burgess Meredith is a former writer turned witty commander, Dana Andrews a showy but indecisive admiral, and Stanley Holloway a genial Australian scout working with the American invasion forces. Tom Tryon and Paula Prentiss play newlyweds torn apart by the war, and also appearing are Franchot Tone, Carroll O'Conner, Slim Pickens, George Kennedy, Bruce Cabot, and Larry Hagman, among many, many more. Loyal Griggs's handsome black-and-white photography is topped only by Saul Bass's impressive closing credits sequence, a rising cascade of crashing waves and rough surf reportedly paced to mirror the dramatic rhythm of the film. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

In Harm's Way: A Classic.......2007-07-04

This is a classic John Wayne movie as well as a classic war movie. It's as close to historical accuracy as you can get without it being a documentary. The characters have real substance and there is plenty of action in the plot. If you've never seen this movie you're missing a real piece of Americana.

In politics and in war, nothing ever changes.......2007-05-30

This grand movie is a sound depiction of the early war in the Pacific. This movie was recently run on local TV. In spite of having bought the DVD earlier this year, and watching it several times, I still watched this TV version. It was released in 1965. Based on a very interesting story (that began on December 6, 1941), and many sub-stories, plus a superb cast, this film is worth seeing.

There were many useful reviews written on this movie. I particularly liked the customer review (#11) by a Ralph Couey. "The movie demonstrates the difference between capable managers in peacetime and battle-worthy leaders in war. The U.S. was caught in that trap in the first year of World War II. Unfortunately, a lot of ships were lost and a lot of sailors died while the bureaucrats were weeded out and replaced with warriors." This situation was essentially the basis for the "battle" between Rear Admiral Rockwell Torrey (John Wayne, surely one of his best roles) and Admiral `Blackjack' Broderick (Dana Andrews). Other reviewers described Broderick as weak and incompetent.

As I watched the TV show I couldn't help think there was a worthwhile analogy between the political events/strategic implications during this war and the political events/strategic implications today and in our recent past.

What follows are some inputs from the movie.

1. The first scene reviewed here is between Torrey and Jere (Brandon De Wilde), his estranged son for the past 18 years. Torrey had just learned his son was on PT duty and he visited him. This first meeting was very strained. Some approximations of their conversation follow.
* Torrey - how do you like PT duty?
* Jere - I don't.
* Torrey - why did you chose it, it is a voluntary assignment?
* Jere - I knew this unit was assigned to Adm. Broderick, and once in this unit, I could be transferred to assist ex congressman Commander Neal Owen (Patrick O'Neal), Broderick's PR man. (Other reviewers described Owen as Broderick's stooge and a publicity seeking ex congressman, with political ambitions after the war). I will be his assistant.
* Torrey - that is just like your mother's family - they could always pull political strings.
* Jere - Adm Broderick has been assigned to handle a very important (and supposedly very secretive) assignment - Skyhook. (Couey commented: "Operation Skyhook represents Operation Watchtower, the drive to recover the Solomon Islands. The Battle of Pala Passage is in excellent representation of the second day of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, when Admirals Scott and Calahagn blocked a far superior Japanese force on its way to deliver the death knell to U.S. forces on the island").
* Torrey - I wouldn't know about that. (About Skyhook)
* Jere - I wouldn't expect that you would. Commander Neal Owen gave me this information. (He should not have done that).
* Torrey - Somewhere in here Torrey commented he would like to throw his son to the fishes.
* Jere - why did you come?
* Torrey - let us just say that I did.
Later in the movie Jere discovers that Owen is a huge phony and his father is the real man. He "quits" Owen and is transferred back to PT duty, and ultimately a reconciliation with his father.

2. This is a luncheon scene between Owen and Jere, early in the movie.
* Owen - my job, Jere, is to see that the information given out to the press corp is good for the general war effort and good for the Navy.
* Jere - and good for Adm Broderick.
* Owen - well what is good for Adm Broderick is good for the war effort and good for the Navy.
* Jere - with a little left over for Neal Owen.

3. This scene is a dinner meeting to honor Torrey in his surprise promotion from Captain to Rear Admiral. The head of Pacific operations (Henry Fonda, who is perfectly cast in this role. He is undoubtedly playing Admiral Nimitz, but this is never defined.) makes this announcement, essentially bringing Torrey out of "purgatory" where he had been sent, unjustly, after Pearl Harbor. "Nimitz" noted that Lincoln had his George B. McClellan who was "a great little organizer, but couldn't make up his mind when to fight", and I have my Broderick. He went on: "Indecision is a virus that can run through an army and destroy its will to win and even to survive." (It seems to me that this is the kind of risk our country is being put in today in Iraq). Faced with this situation Lincoln called in Grant. And "Nimitz" noted: "Torrey, you're going to be my Grant." Broderick wasn't replaced, but Torrey was put in tactical command.
* Torrey - how far can I go?
* "Nimitz" - well you can't kill him, "just get the job done."

4. The next scene showed Broderick and Owens killing time waiting for Torrey's arrival.
* Broderick - I'm not going to take it.
* Owen - I don't think you should do anything hasty. If Torrey flops you can clearly point a finger at Cinc-Pac. If he wins, you're still the overall commander and will get most of the credit.
* Broderick - but I wont know what he is doing.
* Owen - you need a rep in Torrey's camp.
* Broderick - and you're it. You'll be my liaison officer.
* Owen - but I have no front line duty or experience.
* Broderick - now don't crawfish . It was you're idea. Besides a "little forward area duty might be just the thing for you. Think what a combat ribbon or even a Purple Heart in your button-hole would mean to you after the war. It ought to be worth a half a million votes when you run for office." (When I first heard these lines I couldn't help think of John Kerry and his medals from the Vietnam war).

I noted above the superb cast. I would be remiss if I did not add inputs on one more character, Lieutenant Maggie Haynes (Patricia Neal)and a chief nurse. Both Torrey and Maggie are casualties of earlier, failed marriages. Their relationship blossoms while Torrey is still stuck behind a desk. Haynes is mature, supportive, and "mission driven" as she likes Torrey very much and wants him to know it. One reviewer felt Wayne was at his all time best in these scenes. I would say the same for Neal.

All in all a grand story, one that I can highly recommend.

Old Rock of Ages, we've got ourselves another war. A gut bustin', mother-lovin' Navy war. .......2007-03-15

Otto Preminger puts together a great World War II drama, combining action, romance and character development in a sweeping story of the Pacific theatre. John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal lead the cast, which includes both current and rising stars of the day. Supporting actors include Burgess Meredith, Carroll O'Conner, Slim Pickens, George Kennedy, Patrick O'Neal, Dana Andrews, Tom Tyron and Paula Prentiss, just to name a few.

The characters are generally well fleshed out and portrayed convincingly. John Wayne plays a leader at once charismatic and larger than life while remaining soft-spoken and thoughtful, particularly in romantic settings. One of the great scenes is the interplay between Wayne's character, Rockwell Torrey, and Patricia Neal as they discuss their lives over a home-cooked meal. The sincerity of the developing relationship between the mature pair is in marked contrast to the manipulative dinner coordinated by Torry's son (ably played by Brandon De Wilde) for nurse Annalee (Jill Haworth).

The action scenes are generally well-done although the final sea battle intersperses vintage WWII footage with "cans-in-a-tub" special effects - not bad for 1965, but rather "quaint" compared with today's effects.

The film stands up nicely to repeat viewing and is one of those great "pictures for a Sunday afternoon." The musical score is also well done, particularly the end-credit sequence. All in all, it is a great film!

In Harm's Way with John Wayn.......2007-03-15

This was a very good production and a pleasure to have purchased. As always John Wayne is the best of the best.

Harm.......2007-02-16

This is a very dramatic and stirring movie, with a great cast. It is pretty cutting edge for it's time.

Average customer rating:

Thorpe's not Blood
Only missing ingredients: Technicolor and Olivia de Havilland...
A letdown for this Flynn fan. ----- Brenda Marshall!!???
Sea Hawks
Sail to adventure with the Sea Hawk

The Sea Hawk
Starring: Errol Flynn , Brenda Marshall , Claude Rains , Donald Crisp , and Flora Robson
Director: Michael Curtiz , Jean Negulesco , and Robert Clampett
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B00005JMR6
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Five years after Captain Blood made him a swashbuckling star, Errol Flynn returned to the high seas as privateer Captain Thorpe in The Sea Hawk. Flynn plays the dashing gentleman pirate as dedicated patriot, looting Spanish ships for English coffers with the private blessing of Queen Elizabeth (Flora Robson, reprising the role from Fire over England). The film opens with a rousing sea battle: broadside cannon fire sends masts falling and splinters a-flying before Flynn's men take their Spanish quarry in a furious shipboard cutlass battle. The fearless fighter becomes a stumbling schoolboy when he falls for the Spanish ambassador's niece, but he's back in his element when he sails to the New World for treasure and lands in the middle of a deadly conspiracy. Big-eyed beauty Brenda Marshall stands in for Flynn's usual love interest Olivia de Havilland, and the film misses the latter's sass and spirit, but it's a minor shortcoming. Claude Rains plays his usual smoothly conniving villain, and hearty Alan Hale returns as Flynn's loyal sidekick. Michael Curtiz proves once again why he was Warner Brothers' top director with a handsome, action-packed film that mixes intrigue and suspense with grand set pieces, concluding with a rousing series of escapes, chases, and a runaway sword fight. Classic Hollywood swashbuckling at its best. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Thorpe's not Blood.......2007-06-18

Korngold is still Korngold, but Brenda's not Olivia, and Daniell is definitely not Sir Basil. Although Flora is much better than Bette. All the old ingredients seem to be there, but somehow the cake isn't quite up to snuff. Curtiz seems a little exhausted, in spite of the standard trademark shadow-sword-swashing; perhaps it's just that Flynn can't quite take it seriously enough any more. Four swords against one is maybe a trifle over the top. Also, the film was over-budgeted, and the model ships still look like model ships. There are some interesting extras from the pundits on this disc, and Flora's message at the end comes across with some punch, but the reality of the Battle of Britain remains more vivid than any Hollywood hokum. Sorry, folks: I have to dock a star.

Only missing ingredients: Technicolor and Olivia de Havilland..........2007-06-04

When Warner Bros. substituted BRENDA MARSHALL for Flynn's usual romantic interest they made a big mistake. Certainly she's pretty (in a remote sort of way with a facial expression carved in stone), but there's none of the usual back and forth wit and spirit that OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND always shared with Flynn. In other words, the spark of chemistry that made them such a memorable love team is completely missing here.

So is Technicolor. Hard to understand why the studio didn't back this investment (which cost a hefty sum at the time) with color photography which would have added so much richness to the story. As it is, the crisp B&W photography is handsome enough but with all those gorgeous sets and costumes, color is an ingredient that should have been seriously considered.

The story has its points of interest but exists mainly to showcase the athletic abilities of ERROL FLYNN and, presumably, most of the vigorous male cast. All with the exception of HENRY DANIELL who, although a fine screen villain, was not up to the requisite swordplay and had to be doubled for all the long shots. Basil Rathbone, where were you???

Capping the whole thing is a majestic score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold that is worthy of a far better film. But sea tales don't get much better than this and the studio backed their production with a wonderful ensemble cast that included WILLIAM LUNDIGAN, ALAN HALE, CLAUDE RAINS, FLORA ROBSON, JAMES STEPHENSON, UNA O'CONNOR and many, many more.

Summing up: It's a lusty tale of piracy on the high seas and lots of treachery afoot so that Errol Flynn can swing into action and save the day for God and Queen. Smooth sailing.

A letdown for this Flynn fan. ----- Brenda Marshall!!???.......2007-04-29

As someone who greatly respects Errol Flynns work, I must say I was disappointed in this movie. A year before in 'Dawn Patrol' I thought Flynn gave a great performance as a hot shot fighter pilot, who when given Command must accept responsibility for the lives of his men.

Critics have said that Flynn's 'Sea Hawk' role is a mature performance, to me it's a dull turn by Flynn. He is not helped at all by a clunky script and a stunningly bad performance by Brenda Marshall. She brings NOTHING to her roll as the female romantic lead. A truly terrible performance by this young lady.

In Captain Blood (his American debut), Flynn has verve, enthusiasm, amazing charisma, he rightly became an overnight star with that performance. But, he looks somewhat bored in this film. It is an OK, 3 star film, but please don't mislead people and compare this movie to 'Robin Hood', or 'Captain Blood', or the terrific 'Charge of the Light Brigade'.

Sea Hawks.......2007-03-16

I love the movie. It had plenty of sword fights & action in it .

Sail to adventure with the Sea Hawk.......2007-02-21

Errol Flynn was in his home element as the captain of a privateer in the service of Queen Elizabeth. A true swashbuckler, this is alot of fun. The story is full of intrigue, action, humor and romance. The production values were high for this movie. Add to that a cast that included Brenda Marshall, Flora Robson and Claude Rains. Also look for some of the best character actors of the day, like Alan Hale, Donald Crisp and Una O'Connor to round out the movie. See sea battles and swordplay aplenty to make for a rousing good time. One note, this was made early during the second world war. The final scene with the queen was added as a morale booster for the audience in England.

Warner Brothers did this up right with this release as part of their Warner Night at the Movies. Dvd comes with Newsreel, Short, Cartoon and trailers. As included is a featurette about Flynn and this movie. You got to get this one!

Average customer rating:

Excellent and moving portrayal of America as we once were
Best WWII "Pacific Theatre" film ever made
John Fords finest hour
Simply The Best
"NO MAMA-NO PAPA-NO UNCLE SAM...THE BATTERED HEROES OF BATAAN"

They Were Expendable
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ASIN: B000O599VC
Release Date: 2007-05-22

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They Were Expendable is the greatest American film of the Second World War, made by America's greatest director, John Ford, who himself saw action from the Battle of Midway through D-day. Yet it's been oddly neglected. Or perhaps not so oddly: for as the matter-of-fact title implies, the film commemorates a period, from the eve of Pearl Harbor up to the impending fall of Bataan, when the Japanese conquest of the Pacific was in full cry and U.S. forces were fighting a desperate holding action. Although stirring movies had been made about these early days (Wake Island, Bataan, Air Force), they were gung ho in their resolve to see the tables turned. They Were Expendable, however, which was made when Allied victory was all but assured, is profoundly elegiac, with the patient grandeur of a tragic poem.

"They" are the officers and men of the Navy's PT boat service, an experimental motor-torpedo force relegated to courier duty on Manila Bay but eventually proven effective in combat. Their commander is played by Robert Montgomery, who actually served on a PT and later commanded a destroyer at Normandy; James Agee called his "the one unimprovable performance" of 1945. In addition to giving it, Montgomery codirected the breathtaking second-unit action sequences (and took over the first unit for a week when Ford broke his leg). John Wayne's costarring role as Montgomery's volatile second-in-command initially looks stereotypically blustery, but as the drama unfolds--the death of comrades, a friendship-that-never-gets-to-be-a-romance with an Army nurse (Donna Reed)--Wayne sounds notes of tenderness and vulnerability that will take Duke-bashers by surprise.

They Were Expendable is a heartbreakingly beautiful film, full of astonishing images of warfare, grief, courage, and dignity: the artificial "rainfall" that lashes the beached Wayne as his PT boat explodes in the surf; the glow around a communally improvised dinner for nurse Reed; an old ship-repairer (Russell Simpson, The Grapes of Wrath's Pa Joad) settling in grimly to wait for the Japanese, with "Red River Valley" as benediction; the propeller spray that hangs over a jungle inlet, like the dust from one of Ford's cavalry pictures, as the PTs round a bend and disappear into history. This is a masterpiece. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Supplies are dwindling. Troops are hopelessly outnumbered. But even in defeat there is victory. The defenders of the Philippines ? including PT-boat skippers John Brickley (Robert Montgomery) and Rusty Ryan (John Wayne) will give the U.S. war effort time to regroup after the devastation of Pearl Harbor. Director John Ford's World War II tale knows its battle-scarred topic firsthand. Montgomery was himself a Pacific PT-boat commander and a valorous Bronze Star recipient. Ford filmed the Academy Award?-winning* documentary Battle of Midway. And Wayne creates a portrait of patriotic resolve as only he can. They Were Expendable salutes all who expended themselves during some of the war's bleakest hours. Director John Ford's World War II tale knows its battle-scarred topic firsthand. Montgomery was himself a Pacific PT-boat commander and a valorous Bronze Star recipient. Ford filmed the Academy Award -winning* documentary Battle of Midway. And Wayne creates a portrait of patriotic resolve as only he can. They Were Expendable salutes all who expended themselves during some of the war's bleakest hours.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent and moving portrayal of America as we once were.......2007-06-26

The quality of the DVD is excellent, making viewing the film a good experience. I had seen this film many years ago and seeing it again brings back many memories. Oh, how I wish America had held on to those good qualities.

Best WWII "Pacific Theatre" film ever made.......2007-05-21

That's all there is to say about it. It's the best World War II movie about the war in the pacific ever made. Wayne, Reed & Montgomery never looked better. The supporting cast is perfect. It will break your heart and inspire you at the same time.

John Fords finest hour.......2007-05-20

I remember seeing this movie a thousand times on TV from childhood. I finally bought the DVD to see the entire film uncut. There has always been something special about Donna Reed and Robert Montgomery in this film. They are very much the same but the war forces them into very different roles. It was never lost on me that John Ford positioned John Wayne between them to show the contrast and simultaneously the similarities. It's certainly one of the most elegant films I have ever seen.

Simply The Best.......2007-04-16

Perhaps I can't improve upon the previous review which rated "They Were Expendable" as the greatest World War II made film, but as the son and nephew of men who served in the conflict, and myself a Vietnam vet, I would say that this is a poignant epic,-depicting war as it is,- brutal,-and yet bringing out the nobility of the human spirit.Robert Montgomery is representative of the dedicated commander-fatherly to ALL his men whether they are his senior or junior. The wonderful loyalty and cheerfulness of the Filipinos is touching.If someone who knew nothing about World War II wanted an insight about what the war REALLY was-then watch this movie FIRST! Again the greatest movie about World War II!!!

"NO MAMA-NO PAPA-NO UNCLE SAM...THE BATTERED HEROES OF BATAAN".......2007-04-15

...Famous WW2 saying/slogan for the stalwart defense of the Philippines, our Navy and Army defenders were forsaken, doomed and became prisoners of war by the Japanese war machine for over 3.5 years of inhuman captivity..."They Were Expendable"...a terrific WW2 movies central to the use of Motor Torpedo Squadrons [PT Boats]...John Wayne and Robert Montgomery excell and John Ford directs a resolute tale of WW2 courage...the two stars portray PT-Boat skippers who defend the Philippines and give the USA war effort the needed timespan to regroup after the crippling losses at Pearl Harbor and Clark Field, PI...great casting and inspiring music permeate with each changing scene...two heads/up about this movie: #1: Robert Montgomery actually saw action on active duty as PT-Boat skipper during the war and looks right at home in all of his scenes at the helm of PT-41...he easily generates leadership, the art of command and camraderie throughout this film [a given Ford trademark]....#2:...Donna Reed, after the American moviegoers saw her in action, her star rose like a meteor and established her as a leading lady thereafter, and justly so, did you ever see 'the perfect face' in her closeups??...whether under stress or just feminine happiness, it mattered naught...a classic face for eternity, simply beautiful...John Wayne was great as the XO despite playing John Wayne [himself] in all of his movies, this guy's persona was what made John Wayne so likeable, why tamper with his success on the silver screen...all in all a wonderful WW2 movie for the ages...Anchors Aweigh!!!......SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

Average customer rating:

I never received my order.

The Wings of Eagles
Starring: John Wayne , Dan Dailey , Maureen O'Hara , Ward Bond , and Ken Curtis
Director: John Ford
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000O599VM
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

Cmdr. Frank "Spig" Wead was a pioneer aviator, renowned screenwriter (whose works included John Ford's They Were Expendable) and a man of war. The skies beckoned Spig to action; a crippling injury ultimately left him powerless to act, propelling him to discover the power of his pen. He was talented, driven, flawed, a friend of Ford and the subject of this compassionate biography. John Wayne plays Spig and Ford directs The Wings of Eagles, which also offers a fascinating glimpse into the ways and world of Ford: Ward Bond plays moviemaker John Dodge, a role modelled on Ford. Maureen O'Hara, Wayne's five-time co-star (including Ford's The Quiet Man), and Dan Dailey (of Ford's 1952 What Price Glory?) play Spig's indomitable wife Min and cigar-chomping sidekick "Jughead" Carson.

Customer Reviews:

I never received my order........2007-07-03

What else can I say - I've never gotten the DVD I ordered, The Wings of Eagles.

Joyce

Average customer rating:

Watch For Rescue Dawn in July
Dieter DID need to fly
Compelling story, overrated documentary
No hint of bitterness
Riveting

Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Starring: Werner Herzog , and Dieter Dengler
Director: Werner Herzog
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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Lessons of Darkness / Fata Morgana

ASIN: B000M7FO0M
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Description

Educational Media Network-Winner, Golden Apple 1999 Biarritz International Festival of Audiovisual Programming-Winner, Silver FIPA 1999 San Francisco International Film Festival-Winner, Golden Spire 1998 International Documentary Association- Winner IDA Award 1997 Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival-Winner, Special Jury Award As a young boy, Dieter Dengler watched as Allied planes destroyed his village. From that instant, he knew that he wanted to fly. So at 18, he moved to America, enlisted in the Navy, and was promptly shipped off to Vietnam. During one of his first missions, however, Dengler was shot down over Laos and taken prisoner. Despite torture and starvation-at one point he weighed 85 pounds-he escaped, and after a harrowing journey through the jungle on foot, returned home. Today, even comfort and success cannot dispel the demons of his past. In this remarkable, award- winning documentary, director Werner Herzog returns to the jungle with Dengler, to tell an incredible tale of courage and survival against impossible odds. Includes a 5x7 Theatrical Poster Replica

Features: Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs Production Notes Werner Herzog Bio

Customer Reviews:

Watch For Rescue Dawn in July.......2007-05-27

Herzog's follow-up to Little Dieter will be released during July in the USA. A friend saw it last night at the Seattle Film Festival and said it was outstanding - not a dry eye in the place. Christian Bale plays Dengler and had the audience believing he was Dengler.

Dieter DID need to fly.......2007-01-03

I knew Dieter very well while he was stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station and wanted to see how he had done in the ensuing years. I was very impressed with the documentary and his part in it. Better than well done and I felt it portrayed Dieter as a totally mature person much removed from the daring Naval Aviator I had known. I was very impressed with the film and would not hesitate to reccommend it to any and all.

Compelling story, overrated documentary.......2006-04-04

This is certainly an extraordinary story about a POW who had to endure incredible hardness before gaining his freedom from a Vietcong camp controlled (as unfortunately almost every camp, even if to different extent) by sadistic guards. Mr Dengler manages to retell his story with such a detachment that it is sometimes hard to even imagine how terrible his trials must have been.

However, even if the story is truly compelling, I found the movie rather flat. It's very short (less than 90 minutes), and probably for this reason I found it quite rushed. The cinematography is nothing special, and one is just rushed through a long list of terrible event told very quickly but Mr Dengler in a very detached way. The Vietnam war is not analyzed at all, and it is just treated as the reason why Mr Dengler was in Vietnam. Something of little importance per se. At the end of the day, I have not learned much from this movie. I knew about the terrible conditions of American POW in Vietnam well before renting this DVD. This is "just" an individual story, told without much emotion. So, Mr Dengler certainly has all my compassion for his trials, but an "incredible tale of courage and survival against impossible odds" (description from the back cover of the DVD) such as this one does not per se imply that any movie describing it will be "extraordinary", "unforgettable" or "astonishing" (description from the front cover of the DVD).

A much better documentary about courage and survival (admittedly in a totally different setting) is "Touching the void", about the terrible ordeal of two climbers after a failed attempt to climb a peak. About Vietnam, two better documentaries are "Hearts and minds" (which is in my opinion much more emotionally charged, even if too biased against the US intervention) and above all "The fog of war", a documentary-biography about McNamara which also (but not only) deals with his role in the war, and is certainly one of the best documentaries I ever watched in my life. As as story about an obsession, Herzog's "Fitzcarraldo" is by far a better movie than this one.

My recommendation is to rent this movie as well as Hearts and Mind, and to buy The fog of war.

No hint of bitterness.......2005-08-12

Little Dieter Needs to Fly is a tremendously uplifting movie. I was surprised that in his interviews, there is no animosity towards his captors, nor even a hint of bitterness in his voice. While he was treated inhumanely at the hands of his barbarous captors, he speaks matter-of-factly about his captivity, as if he were in school detention. His desire is only to fly again. It isn't the best movie about the POW/MIA experience (Return With Honor is), but it is definitely worth watching.

Riveting.......2004-05-01

Director Werner Herzog is obsessed with obsession. Practically all his films feature protagonists in the grip of a passion so powerful that it creates ruin for them and everyone around them. Yet it also creates a sort of tragic grandeur. The viewer feels that, in some strange inexplicable way, it was worth all the pain and suffering involved.

Since his falling out with the major movie studios in his native Germany, Herzog has restricted himself to making documentaries (they're a lot cheaper to produce than dramatic films like Fitzcarraldo or Aguirre), but he brings to them the same passionate commitment and haunting poetic sensibility that informed his famous dramas.

Here the subject is the German-American pilot Dieter Dengler, a man who, as a little boy, fell in love with flight when he made eye contact with the pilot of an Allied plane that was strafing his Bavarian village in WWII. At the age of 18 he moved to America and eventually became a Navy pilot, only to be shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. Captured by Laotian guerillas and handed over to North Vietnamese soldiers, he endured unbelievable suffering and made a brilliant, heroic escape from a POW camp. Herzog takes Mr. Dengler back to the jungles of Laos to re-enact his ordeals. All this is intercut with scenes from his comfortable home on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, as well as his quaint little hometown in the Black Forest of Germany. Mr. Dengler is a charming, garrulous raconteur who hardly ever interrupts his fascinating, rapid-fire narration. During those rare moments when he is overcome by emotion and falls silent, it is deeply moving for him and for us. He has clearly suffered much in order to fulfill his dreams of flight. His obsession caused him tremendous pain, but it also saved him. It brings him the only real joy in his otherwise tragic life and gives him a reason to live.

Product Description

The war was supposed to be over, but the battle to survive has only just begun. When U.S. Navy pilot Chris Burnett (Wilson) is shot down during a recon mission over Bosnia, he must fight to stay alive and evade hostile Serbian forces. With time running out, Burnett's commanding officer (Hackman) risks everything by launching a renegade rescue mission - against strict NATO directives - to bring an American hero home.

System Requirements:
Starring: Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman
Directed By: John Moore
Total Running Time: 105 Minutes, Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Smart casting and sensible plotting make Behind Enemy Lines an above-average military thriller. Perfectly timed to bolster patriotism, the film is partly set (during a hypothetical "day after tomorrow") on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Carl Vinson, which was on alert status in the Persian Gulf when this film was released. Proving his versatility as an unconventional movie star, Owen Wilson plays a navy navigator who is shot down over Bosnia during a reconnaissance mission. Pursued by rebel Serbian forces, Wilson must fight for survival while his commanding officer (Gene Hackman) plots a daredevil rescue. After a successful career in TV commercials, Irish director John Moore makes a promising feature debut on Slovakian locations, borrowing a few techniques from Saving Private Ryan while adding impressive flourishes of his own. The gung-ho ending's a foregone conclusion, but it works like a charm after the movie's exciting game of cat and mouse. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

"Commando" (Swartzenegger), "Cobra" , "Superman" , "Behind Enemy Lines" ... movies where the hero cannot be hit by enemy gunfire.......2007-06-23

I ask you! What US Navy pilot and navigator would stray from their assigned flight plan ? especially if it were a no-fly zone? Answer: No one.

If you were on the run being chased by an army trying to kill you, would you stop and sit on the concrete levee of a reservoir in plain sight? An idiot like that deserves to get killed.

What trained serviceman would come out blazing holding his firearm sideways in his hand like a drug dealer instead of with both hands and squarely in front of him? Sly Stallone, Arnold, Will Smith

Who could survive running straight back into enemy fire to retrieve a CD-ROM? Trip a maze of land minds & out run the blast? What admiral & captain of an aircraft carrier would go along on a recsue mission? Answer: No one

Why did the Bosnian tanks not fire at the escape helicopters? Was it just me or did some of the Bosnians look like a toy army in the final explosion?

How disappointing! I was all ready for a good really based war movie. Sure the basic premise was good and the cause was noble, but the action was inconceivable. Because so many people will not know the difference, "Behind Enemy Lines" is a dark day in our make believe military history!

Complete and utter bunk.......2007-05-18

I am shocked at the star rating given to this movie. It seems most viewers based their recommendation soley on action (which wasn't great) and not a bit of facts (in which this movie was sorely lacking).

I spent two years as an aid worker in the Balkans after the Bosnian war and the NATO siege of Serbia and Kosovo. I went to see this film expecting to get at least a shred of credibility. I should have known better. What I saw, to my extreme disapointment, was the usual Hollywood pander, presenting a fictionalized account of true events as recycled media fare: the Serbs were the only bad guys, everyone else was victimized, no other ethnic group committed any war crimes. Rubbish! I worked with hundreds of Serbs were innocent victims in this tragic civil war. Outside the town where I worked in Bosnia, there was a "concentration camp" where Croats jailed other Croats who refused to fight against the Muslims! Does that say anything about the insanity of this war? For Hollywood to present such a stereotypical, one-sided aspect of the situation is irresponsible and poor judgement-- for some people, this may be one of the only movies they about the Bosnian war, and they will walk away thinking they know the whole story.

If you want to see an outstanding war movie as well as a more accurate representation of what happend in Bosnia, check out the movie "Savior" with Dennis Quaid. At least they try to present all sides of the story, rather than doing a gross injustice to a complex war as in "Behind Enemy Lines."

Let's Have Some FUN!.......2006-10-14

Okay. Owen Wilson is about as believable playing a navy navigator as Rosie O'Donnell playing Mother Teresa. And hasn't Gene Hackman pretty much cornered the market playing cranky commanders? But who cares: BEHIND ENEMY LINES would work even if the leads were Henry Gibson and Larry the Cable Guy.

This film--with its contrived plot about an American pilot getting shot down over war-torn Bosnia--works through its visuals. Video telling a story is the essence of cinema, and director John Moore succeeds masterully via a breathless array of action scenes. But it's not just "action": cinematographer Brandan Galvin delivers the action and suspense from countless angles and wrap-around shots; the slowing down, then ratcheting up of the film speed gives this movie an X-Box look. And it's all grand fun.

The cat-and-mouse aspect of this film--as Wilson's character runs for his life under ominous grey skies--is perfected by the cold-blooded performance of Vladimir Mashkov. The chainsmoking, sweatpant-wearing Russian actor is the perfect predator. To top it all off, director Moore even takes a potshot or two at politically correct international posturing; that makes BEHIND ENEMY LINES even more fun. Come to think of it, Larry the Cable Guy would look real good dodging semi-automatic gunfire.
--D. Mikels, Author, WALK-ON

Great to Watch.......2006-09-03

Behind Enemy's Line is one of the greatest patriotic movies. It's about a disillusioned Navy fighter pilot who got more than he bargained for after getting shot down. Unlike many other war movies which has a lot of shooting, and not much else, this one has great character development, awesome scenes, and a hilarious stunt the aircraft crew pulled off using a football. The super-slow motion shots are simply incredible, and the pictures are rich with numerous imageries, some containing messages for the audience, others complimenting the plot. You can watch this over and over again.

Exciting Action Movie.......2006-08-19

Great military movie, lots of action and current topic. Top stars and fast paced plot keep you riveted to the screen!

Average customer rating:

Great Movie
Good action movie with a lousy ending
A Little Intrigue and a Lot of Action
OVERPRICED ?
It Should have been Better

Behind Enemy Lines (Blu-Ray)
Starring: Owen Wilson , and Gene Hackman
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000ICLRJ8
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Amazon.com

Description

Fighter navigator Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson) wants out of the Navy: he was looking for something more than boring recon missions he's been flying. He finds himself the lone Christmas day mission over war-torn Bosnia. But, when he talks pilot Stackhouse into flying slightly off-course to check out an interesting target, the two get shot down. Burnett is soon alone, trying to outrun a pursuing army, while commanding officer Reigert (Gene Hackman) finds his rescue operation hamstrung by politics, forcing Burnett to run far out of his way.

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie.......2007-04-07

I enjoyed this movie and think it should be part of everyone's collection. It kept my attention and did not get boring.

Good action movie with a lousy ending.......2007-02-06

I saw this in the theater and I bought it when it came out on DVD. Is this worth dropping another $30? Mmmmmaybe... I'm a big fan of jet planes, so I get a real kick out of watching the Super Bug turn its tricks. Once Owen and his pilot find their way onto the ground, the movie combines some somewhat-artsy camera work and a non-stop chase, which is, for the most part pretty entertaining. The sniper definitely should've had him when he was sitting out in the open though - I mean, c'mon! But the case goes on until the end, which almost, Almost ruined the movie for me. I haven't seen any one person escape a hailstorm of gunfire like that untouched in quite some time. Not even ONE bullet home in the arm or something? In addition, it's highly unlikely that the captain of an AC carrier will fly in to the rescute in an armed Huey. Oh well. If you just close your eyes for about 2 minutes during the end shootout, you'll be fine. Bottom line - if you like jets, snipers, gunfire, this movie is for you.

A Little Intrigue and a Lot of Action.......2006-11-17

I was concerned that this movie would either be influenced by the continued backlash from Viet Nam or would be so incredibly over-the-top as to be completely unbelievable. I was pleased that the movie combined a bit of political intrigue with generally realistic military action to yield a very enjoyable movie. There are a few moments where the movie is unbelievable, but those moments are few enough to get you to the end.

Lt. Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson) and his friend and partner Stackhouse (Gabriel Macht) are flying a routine mission over Bosnia. They fly into territory into which they are not permitted. During their flight they see something on the ground that causes them to take a closer look. Using their new digital image recording system they take high-speed pictures of an area that incriminates Serbians in aggression towards Bosnians. The Serbians shoot down the F-18 with SAMs, later blaming the incident on rebel Bosnians.

Once the plane is shot down the two vulnerable pilots are quickly found by Serbian forces. Stackhouse is quickly executed, causing Burnett to yell in anguish and anger, which was a serious mistake because Stackhouse's executioner hears Burnett, and the chase is on.

This movie is all about the chase. Burnett runs for his life, trying to reach an extraction point. The Serbian executioner that murdered Stackhouse chases Burnett almost to the end of the film. During the chase there are several incidents that were very creative, though incredible in their coincidence. One example happens when Burnett has a large group of Serbians on his heels. The chase is being watched from Burnett's aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson. When Burnett trips and falls according to the infrared image, the anxious crew of the Carl Vinson are sure he is dead, yet the chasing Serbians miraculously do not find him. You'll have to watch the movie to see why.

Burnett tries continually to make his way to the rendezvous point for extraction, and is continuously stymied. Eventually the Serbians convince NATO that Burnett has been killed by the rebels, and the Carl Vinson prepares to head for home. But, as we all know, Burnett is still trying to get out. I will not spoil the ending, which is the one portion of the movie that is really over-the-top, reminiscent of James Bond.

While the movie contains flaws in how the action is portrayed, for entertainment and patriotism it is a good bet, particularly if you enjoy military action movies.

The only question I have is whether this film is worth purchasing in Blu-Ray. The price of the standard DVD version is significantly less than the Blu-Ray version, and I do not believe the Blu-Ray version has enough difference in video quality to justify the price difference. My recommendation is to either wait until the price of the Blu-Ray version decreases or just buy the DVD version.

Enjoy!

OVERPRICED ?.......2006-11-16

I'm really excited that FOX is finally releasing some of it's catalog titles on Blu-Ray. But these titles are exactly that catalog titles, that are priced higher than most studios day and date releases. The picture and sound quality are on par with Sony / Warner Bros. / Paramount / Disney, not any better or worse. The "extras" are sorely missing. I'm really getting tired of certain studios setting up for the "double dip" by not including the basic extras from their dvd couterparts. Yes, I did purchase this movie, but I feel cheated having to pay this much to enjoy Behind Enemy Lines in Hi-def, when M:I:3 looks a lot better, is packed with features, and costs less. Come on Sony, Fox, & Disney step up your Hi-def game.

It Should have been Better.......2006-11-14

This film looks as though it was made with all good intentions. I really wanted to like and enjoy it. Because the character motivations were never deeply explored it lacked the essence of what could have made it a good old fashioned stand-up-and-cheer movie. It moved at a lethargic pace. If the character motivations were explored in depth, lethargy would have been replaced with viewer concern and interest and it would have been a much more entertaining film. Only the confrontation between Joaquim de Almeida as Admiral Piquet and Gene Hackman as Admiral Reigart gave this film some character based emotional fiber and substance that it sorely needed. I also thought this made the Hollywood theatrics at the end of the movie were just too unbelievable and out of place. Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman and David Keith do their best with what script they are given. Actualy Joaquim de Almeida, a very underated actor, came out the most memorable and believable.

Average customer rating:

THE FLEET THAT CAME TO STAY!!
I wanted to see a good WWII Navy movie. This is it.
O.K. Movie, But Lots of Inaccuracies
GOOD WAR MOVIE
Carrier X Gets It Done

Wing and a Prayer
Starring: Don Ameche , Dana Andrews , William Eythe , Charles Bickford , and Cedric Hardwicke
Director: Henry Hathaway
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005PJ8L
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Description

Don Ameche, Dana Andrews, William Eythe and Richard Jaeckel star in this acclaimed film about newly-trained pilots assigned to an aircraft carrier immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Anticipating the battle of Midway, which will determine th

Customer Reviews:

THE FLEET THAT CAME TO STAY!!.......2007-04-07

I was twelve [12] years old when I saw this movie on a Saturday afternoon at a neighborhood theater...It had a powerful impact on my immature grasp of things then...it is a beautiful made movie during the anxious WW2 years about the US Navy and its pilots...just listen to the inspiring/heroic musical score by Hugo W. Friedhofer [kudos to him] and the easy; yet, Naval discipline as it flows so naturally under the direction of Henry Hathaway...forget the nit-pickers that drag on in here...the United States was losing the War in early 1942, I say again, losing the war all the way down to the tip of Australia...movies like the "Wing" made morale on the home/front soar as high as our Navy flyers could take it...by 1944 when this wonderful film was released, the USA was on the threshold of victory all the way to Tokyo...it was a long dirty way to Tokyo as The Captain alluded to...everytime I see this movie, I see my dearest friend recreated in the role played by Dana Andrews aloft in his Grumman Avenger [TBF]...he was decorated with the Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions against the Japanese Imperial Fleet..movies of this genre will stand the test of time immemorial...the studio bosses knew how to make real movies in this era...I had my WAR in Korea and I [we] know what it takes to defeat America's enemies and this movie, "Wing and a Prayer" demostrates that ever so clearly as the carrier heads for the battle of Midway in 1942....I ask you, "Where were you in 1942"??..Semper Fidelis...SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF.

I wanted to see a good WWII Navy movie. This is it........2006-11-17

I also know history. This isn't. Yes, there was a Battle of Midway. After that... No matter. lots of action scenes, many of the scenes were actors performing in front of newsreel footage in what we now call a blue screen. Years later we're all so smart it almost seems quaint & we may chuckle. But it is excellent for it's time, which was wartime.
The U.S. military, paranoid as they are, covered up the battle & this movie for a long time. They publicized the Dolittle Tokyo raid which happened a few weeks before to boost the public morale. I would have thought our smashing victory at Midway might have had the same positive effect & a negative one if they Japanese found out.
The plot: The aircraft carrier USS X was traveling at light speed all over the Pacific so the enemy would think we had lots of carriers. It was traveling without it's escort ships which a carrier never does. It's too valuable. Then our pilots were to fly off the carrier but never engage enemy pilots. They are to run away, so the enemy thinks we are cowards. Of course, the enemy pilots would never think of following them back to their carrier which they could promptly sink since it has none of its escort ships. As history it is totally bogus but as a movie it is great. So I'm sorry if I'm critical. Dana Andrews, William Elthey & Henry Morgan etc. did good imitations of Navy pilots. They flew torpedo planes. In the movie they did a lot of damage & some of them survived. As we now know all the torpedo pilots went down & none of their torpedos hit a Japanese ship (some torpedoes were defective). This does not diminish their heroism or sacrifice. Don Ameche was exceptionally good as the stern, by the book, Cmdr. Bingo Harper. He is cast as the villian all the men love to hate. But he had the toughest job on the ship. I've seen worse than him in peacetime. One of the better war movies.

O.K. Movie, But Lots of Inaccuracies.......2006-09-06

Don Ameche (Cmndr.