World War II
Flight Command
Flight Command (1940) starring Robert Taylor, Walter Pidgeon, Ruth Hussey, Red Skelton
I originally watched Flight Command because it was one of Red Skelton‘s earliest movie roles — which is technically true; Red’s in the film as part of the Hellcats squadron, acting as the class clown, but he’s definitely a secondary character. Flight Command is primarily about a brash young pilot, Alan Drake (played by Robert Taylor) who’s recruited straight out of college to join the premier squad of Navy Hellcats. He has trouble fitting in at first, although the flight commander (played by a young and dashing Walter Pidgeon) tries to help — as does the commander’s wife (played by Ruth Hussey). There’s a suspected romantic triangle between Drake and the commander’s wife (which was only him trying to console her on the death of her brother) — but all turns out well in the end.
Read More »Flight Command5 Fingers
5 Fingers (1952) starring James Mason, Danielle Darrieux, Michael Rennie
Synopsis of 5 Fingers
The valet to the British ambassador in Turkey during WWII decides to improve his lot …. By selling his employer’s top-secret documents to the Nazis. This classic spy film stars James Mason. Based on the true story of Elyesa Bazna, one of the most famous spies of World War II. It was nominated for two Academy Awards®.
Read More »5 FingersTwelve O’Clock High
Twelve O’Clock High, starring Gregory Peck, Dean Jager
Synopsis of Twelve O’Clock High
An Allied flight commander and his successor run daylight bombing raids out of England. Directed by Henry King. Best supporting Oscar for Dean Jagger.Read More »Twelve O’Clock High
The Hasty Heart
The Hasty Heart (1949) starring Richard Todd, Ronald Reagan, Patricia Neal
Synopsis of The Hasty Heart
In The Hasty Heart, a group of Allied soldiers are recovering in a hospital of Burma, when a dour Scot is added to their ranks. The Scot is dying, unknown to himself. Can the soldiers and nurse reach out to him?
Read More »The Hasty HeartDestination Tokyo
Destination Tokyo (1943) starring Cary Grant, John Garfield
Synopsis of Destination Tokyo
It’s a daring and dangerous underwater adventure with Oscar-winner Cary Grant (The Awful Truth, Suspicion, North by Northwest) as the captain of a U.S. submarine bound for a search and destroy mission in Tokyo harbor during WWII. Co-starring Oscar-nominee John Garfield (Gentleman’s Agreement, The Postman Always Rings Twice). Look for the screen debut of young John Forsythe (TV’s Dynasty and the voice of Charlie on Charlie’s Angels). Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
Read More »Destination TokyoThirty Seconds over Tokyo
Thirty Seconds over Tokyo (1944) starring Van Johnson, Phyllis Thaxter, Spencer Tracy, Robert Walker, Robert Mitchum
The old adage says that you shouldn’t judge a book by its’ cover — and that goes for DVD cases as well. Judging from the DVD case, you would think that Thirty Seconds over Tokyo is starring Spencer Tracy — and you would be wrong. Spencer Tracy does appear, and he does a fine job portraying James Doolittle, the man behind the World War II raid on Tokyo. But the central character in this movie is pilot Ted Lawson. Van Johnson portrays him excellently. The movie breaks into three parts:
Read More »Thirty Seconds over TokyoSahara
Sahara (1943) starring Humphrey Bogart, Bruce Bennett, J. Carrol Naish, Lloyd Bridges
Sahara is, in short, an excellent movie — set in World War II, in the desert conflict, it involves a ragtag multi-national group of Allied soldiers (Humphrey Bogart, Bruce Bennett, Lloyd Bridges) as well as their Italian prisoner of war (played memorably by J. Carrol Naish) who come upon an oasis in the desert — a crumbling ruin.
The ruin has a cistern — not a well, but a storage place for water, that’s nearly dry. The GI’s no sooner find it than they’re surrounded by Nazi soldiers, who are dying of thirst — but are armed to the teeth.
Read More »SaharaMr. Winkle Goes to War
Mr. Winkle Goes to War (1944) starring Edward G. Robinson
review of an excellent patriotic war movie, Mr. Winkle Goes to War, where Edward G. Robinson gives a truly wonderful performance as the title character
Read More »Mr. Winkle Goes to WarBataan
Bataan (1943) starring Robert Taylor, Desi Arnaz
Bataan is a World War II movie of a desperate delaying action. It’s remembered as Desi Arnaz’ best dramatic role
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