User Reviews

This is a WWII propaganda film made to bolster the American war effort. It certainly does deserve credit for an unusual cast! In addition to familiar faces like Pat O'Brien and George Murphy, the ship they serve on has the likes of Desi Arnaz, Jackie Cooper and Max Baer (the father of 'Jethro' from "The Beverly Hillbillies" and ex-heavy-weight boxing champ).

The film surprised me a bit, as it talked about an aspect of the work of the US Navy that I'd never heard about--though it made sense. The merchant marine ships apparently also had US Navy gun crews stationed aboard them and this movie is about one of these crews. The boss is the Chief (O'Brien)--who plays his usual tough self. Murphy is an odd character--a guy who had been a Naval officer accused of cowardice who has now enlisted as a seaman--and the crew won't let him forget his past. In addition, and I know this is SUPER-contrived, but later in the film O'Brien's sister (Jane Wyatt) is taken aboard the merchant marine vessel! And, she just so happens to be Murphy's ex-girlfriend! Later in the film, a very unbelievable thing occurs. The merchant marine ship is able to easily capture a Nazi resupply ship loaded with torpedoes. And then, using this captured ship, they pass out booby-trapped torpedoes to German ships--and hilarity ensues! Not believable but really, really cool! Along the way, Murphy proves he IS a brave man and regains his good name and 1358 different movie clichés take place as well. But, because the production is so well-made and entertaining, you can't help but like the film from start to finish.

By the way, there was one problem with this film that was pretty common in films. When the ship is attacked by airplanes, they are shot down--and really crude stock footage is used. In one case, the film is very blurry and in the other a two-engine fighter-bomber becomes a single-engine plane! Pretty sloppy--and an irritant to aviation buffs like me.

Another vision of World War II through the eyes of two old friends, stuck with each not under the best of circumstances, yet forced to work together in spite of old animosities. In one of his darker roles, George Murphy plays a rather self centered lieutenant who once dates pretty nurse Jane Wyatt, the sister of tough Pat O'Brien who had to testify against Murphy for neglect and later has to deal with him aboard a merchant Marine ship. Murphy once again messes up, but when they somehow capture a Nazi ship, Murphy must find his own patriotism and O'Brien must learn how to gracefully forgive. Not so interesting for the story but for the supporting cast, this is another example of potpourri of different types of sailors, including an Austrian musician forced to miss the concert of a lifetime in order to serve his adopted country. Young Jackie Cooper and Desi Arnaz are instantly recognizable, with Arnaz of course singing. It's an o.k. film that documents early war propaganda (set just right after Pearl Harbor) and pretty much free of clichés. But the Hollywood propaganda machine could do much better, and compared to other films of this nature seems unexciting and sort of dull in spots. Scenes with the German U-Boat often seem like outtakes from another movie with the plot line seemingly different than the rest of the film. Curiosity over that cast makes this worth a look. Something tells me that this was rushed together to take advantage of timely topics.

5 of 10 just because its the Navy and they do show that the lights turn off when you open an outside door (was that even an outside door?). I'm a Navy Vet so I would lean towards giving this propaganda film a high score but then again I did not like Wake Island or Fighting Seabess. Let me rephrase that slightly, I ate those two films up as a kid in the 1970's because they were very action packed with solid American characters but today as an adult they don't hold up well. OK so here goes, never saw The Navy Comes Through before (gee I wonder why???). A gunnery crew from a merchant ship is able to take a merchant raider unscathed and then with that prize ship sinks 5, yes not 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, but FIVE U boats. And I said "Air Force" was horrible (they shot down at least 20 fighters from one bomber in one flight alone)! I laughed when the U boats blew up with a shot from the gunner's that was funny. Lots to make fun of as other reviewer mentioned the subs interior is like a cruise ship, no beards, no hammocks, radio getting radio free Austria (sheesh), totally whacked out over the top stuff. I have to think even in 1942 they were rolling their eyes at this one, but I could be wrong! 5 of 10, we won, yippee.

In 1934 Pat O'Brien costarred with James Cagney in HERE COMES THE NAVY. It seems fitting that, as a fighting Irishman, he is cast as the lead in another Navy war flick, this time at RKO. Instead of Cagney, he is joined by MGM star George Murphy who would go on to make another pic with Mr. O'Brien: 1945's HAVING WONDERFUL CRIME.

The two performers have different yet complimentary acting styles. We can believe they dislike each other yet share a begrudging respect for one another. Complicating matters is the fact that O'Brien testifies against Murphy in the beginning of the story, which leads to Murphy being stripped of his rank and resigning. Added into this professional conflict is a personal matter-- Murphy has been dating O'Brien's sister (Jane Wyatt).

Murphy and Wyatt break up, and Murphy vanishes. But they are all soon reunited when war breaks out. Murphy returns to active duty, now as an enlistee. And, wait for it, he gets placed under O'Brien's command. At the same time Miss Wyatt, who works as a nurse, is sent to the ship when one of the men is critically injured and she must help a doctor patch the guy up.

Wyatt remains at sea with the ship which is cruising the Atlantic on its way to the U. K. During this period there is a tense moment involving a German U-boat in the fog one night. While escaping harm, Wyatt and Murphy recommit their love. Of course, there isn't much time for canoodling. Other German boats approach, there are various explosions and suddenly it's Wyatt's turn to become injured.

On top of all this, there are dangers concerning torpedoes, the taking of German prisoners and Murphy's continued conflicts with O'Brien. A lot happens in this film, and there are no dull moments.

One of the more relaxed moments involves Desi Arnaz as a Cuban-American recruit singing a number in Spanish. There is also a bit where Carl Esmond, playing an Austrian-American with intense hatred against the Nazis, performs a violin solo. These brief musical interludes provide a temporary reprieve from battle before there are more bombs and casualties.

THE NAVY COMES THROUGH was a big hit for RKO, and contemporary critics were sufficiently impressed with the melodrama and action sequences. While there are no surprising plot twists, I do think the film is solid and still holds up nicely. Jackie Cooper has one of his young adult roles as one of the men on board the ship. Around this time, Mr. Cooper joined the Navy, took several years off from acting. And after the war, he remained in the Naval Reserve, reaching the rank of captain.