Review of Pride of the Marines

I concur with a review by AtlasMB on "Pride of the Marines". This is an inspiring true story of Marine Al Schmid who heroically battled the Japanese on Guadalcanal, winning the Navy Cross but losing his eyesight in the process. The film covers his blue collar roots in Philadelphia, his sort-of courtship, the battle itself (a very short part of the film), then his recovery and rehabilitation. As a war film, the real subject is the reintegration of servicemen back into society. The best scene may be in the naval hospital, as Schmid and his fellow injured talk about what they expect from their country and - ultimately - themselves.

The problem? It's just not written or acted very well. Tough guy Garfield plays Schmid as not particularly likable. His chemistry with girlfriend Ruth - well played by Eleanor Parker, as much as the script allows - isn't particularly good even before he enlists. Schmid is pretty much a jerk. Garfield isn't subtle, emotes little, and talks constantly in his clipped, tough guy manner. Dane Clark as his fellow Marine is much more emotive, likable, and believable. The battle scene isn't much of a battle, stagy, with the Marines simply continuing to fire their machine gun until dawn. (That the Japanese soldier held up the grenade in front of Schmid instead of throwing it into their bunker was a little ridiculous.)

A decent wartime film with an important message. I just wish someone other than Garfield had been the lead.