In 1918, U.S. Navy Lt. Tommy Knowlton participates in dangerous submarine missions, disobeys orders, gets court-martialed and romances a married woman who happens to be his C.O.'s daughter.In 1918, U.S. Navy Lt. Tommy Knowlton participates in dangerous submarine missions, disobeys orders, gets court-martialed and romances a married woman who happens to be his C.O.'s daughter.In 1918, U.S. Navy Lt. Tommy Knowlton participates in dangerous submarine missions, disobeys orders, gets court-martialed and romances a married woman who happens to be his C.O.'s daughter.
- British Officer
- (uncredited)
- Kangaroo Boxing Match Manager
- (uncredited)
- Bit
- (uncredited)
- Fat Italian Dancing Partner
- (uncredited)
- Seaman Muller
- (uncredited)
- Lady Higby
- (uncredited)
- British Officer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe print shown on TCM is the 1937 re-release, with some bits of 1933 dialogue obviously eliminated in order to meet the stricter standards of the now enforced 1934 production code.
- GoofsThe clothing and hairstyles of Madge Evans and the rest of the female members of the cast, are all strictly in the 1933, not 1918 mode, despite the tremendous changes that had taken place in those 15 intervening years.
- Quotes
Ptomaine: [Commenting on a large-nosed Italian girl] Mack, I don't care what you say. I'm not going out with her!
Mac Dougal - Chief Torpedo Man: Why, there's nothing wrong with her. She's got a mighty trim little hull.
Ptomaine: But I can't see past her bowsprit!
Mac Dougal - Chief Torpedo Man: Well, maybe she's built for speed?
- Crazy creditsDedicated to those officers and men of the United States Navy, who, in peace and war, volunteer their lives in one of the most hazardous branches of its service: submarines.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Drain the Oceans: Hollywood (2021)
- SoundtracksShow Me the Way To Go Home
(1925) (uncredited)
Written by Irving King
Played during the opening credits
Sung a cappella by Robert Young
Played on piano by Robert Montgomery
Although nearly forgotten, this excellent war film still delivers solid entertainment, thanks to a literate script, superior performances and highly believable action scenes.
Robert Montgomery & Walter Huston play submarine officers under the stress of war who quickly are at odds with each other, with dramatic and tragic results. Since Montgomery is in love with Huston's daughter, Madge Evans in a well-played role, the situation becomes even more complicated, both on shore and beneath the waves. The viewer is torn between the two strong characters, one of whom is governed by his heart and the other by the rules.
Robert Young makes an effective appearance as Montgomery's buddy. Sterling Holloway creates a brief, vivid, portrait of a doomed seaman.
Eugene Pallette as the torpedo master & Jimmy Durante as the sub's cook make for a very funny comedy team and provide the story with plenty of laughs. Durante's nose comes in for lots of ribbing and his obsession with amateur dentistry leads to some chaotic encounters with British tars.
Movie mavens will recognize Babe London as an obese Italian miss; Maude Eburne as the wife of a British admiral & Paul Porcasi as an Italian admiral - all uncredited.
MGM has given the film absolutely first-class production values, with the undersea sequences especially well produced. Both the claustrophobic compactness of the ship and the inevitable tension associated with submarine warfare are accurately portrayed. Other moments of unexpected drama (Montgomery & Miss Evans caught on top of a stalled Ferris wheel during an air raid) and hilarity (Durante boxing a kangaroo) are expertly threaded into the fabric of the movie to provide a totally satisfying viewing experience.
- Ron Oliver
- Oct 23, 2003
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $895,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1