Robert J. Maxwell
The USS John Paul Jones we see being built is actually the destroyer Hobby, launched in San Pedro in June, 1942. Not that it would matter to Edward G. Robinson. He was the retired Chief Boatswain who was one of the welders at the shipyard, reenlisted, and was assigned to the Jones, proud of "his" ship.This is a cornball, flag-waving tribute to destroyers, and it's enjoyable for what it is. The original story is by Frank Wead, who knew something about the Navy, and many of the details of boot camp and shipboard life are precisely captured. The pace becomes Dead Slow when Robinson's pretty daughter falls for Glen Ford and a mercifully brief courtship is carried on.Once all of the characters that we've been introduced to are aboard the Jones, including the wisecracking Ford, as Robinson's main rival for senior enlisted man, the story gets down to business. On the shakedown cruise, just after commissioning, the John Paul Jones practically falls apart, piece by piece. The gunnery is way off because old-fashioned blustering Robinson has forgotten about leading the target. But more important, the engineering pops a dozen assorted corks and returns to San Diego several times for repairs.The frustration mounts at both high levels and low. Enough is enough. The Jones is kept out of battles and assigned to mail-carrying duty in the Northwest. The men mope before collectively writing requests for transfer, salivating as they are over the prospect of getting into the fight. They decide to stick it out after listening to a rousing pep talk from Robinson. And, mail or no mail, the Jones is attacked by half a dozen "Mitsubishis" (Douglas SBDs and one anomalous TBM Avenger.) All the attacking airplanes are destroyed but the Jones is torpedoed, strafed, and kamikazed. So badly, in fact, that seawater reaches the boilers, the ship lists badly, and may capsize at any moment. The crew abandon the ship except for a small damage control party led by Robinson, which manages to restore power and ram a Japanese submarine that has been tracking them. The damage and repair is unusual in its molecularity. Damage control is ordinarily an unglamorous business, as is most stuff below decks, but here we can follow the progress of the men, and it's interesting. Where else can you see a boiler extinguished by a rush of sea water? Usually these technical details are avoided by having an officer run to the bridge, salute, and report breathlessly, "Captain, we've lost power on all engines." The snipes deserve a little attention. The ship is celebrated in the press. Ford marries the girl, Robinson is satisfied that the ship is now the proud vessel he always considered her and he retires to the beach.Well, it's improbable and old-fashioned but it's accurate enough in its observance of ritual that it brought back embarrassing memories of my years in the Coast Guard. The first night in boot camp, the men are exhausted and homesick. Seiter's camera rolls slowly between the bunks neatly aligned, with two seabags hanging from each frame. (I'm back in boot camp, getting gigged for not tying the seabag's knot properly.) And the cocky chief boatswain's mate Robinson emerges from a building and chews out two sailors lounging on the staircase -- one for "thinking" what he ought to "know" (I'm standing guard at the Air Station at San Francisco International Airport being excoriated over the phone) and the other for wearing his cap on the back of his head ("Adjust your cover", commands the Marine at the entrance to Hunter's Point).The ending is touching in its sentiment, although it's still hackneyed. If you enjoyed the scene of John Wayne's (Spig Wead's) departure from the carrier at the end of "Wings of Eagles," you'll find this scene somewhat touching too.
Joe Day
Eddie Robinson is first rate in this film about an old school sailor having to deal with the new kids on the block. I enjoyed seeing the scenes of San Diego boot camp since I went through the now extinct station myself. Glenn Ford is good too. I lost favor with him as he became older but his younger days stuff is good. The only part of the movie I didn't like was that the daughter eloped with Ford. I still think they should have consulted dad. But I guess the writer was trying to say that girls end up marrying the same guy as their father. The scene where Robinson rallies the boys with the story of John Paul Jones is one of the greatest in cinema. It had me balling! All in all, solid.
Stormy_Autumn
"Destroyer" (1943) Shipbuilder Steve 'Boley' Boleslavski (Edward G. Robinson) reenlists as a chief on the replacement for his old destroyer the U.S.S. John Paul Jones. His old friend, ship fitter & friend Kansas Jackson (Edgar Buchanan) joins him as a Shipfitter 1st Class. Once on the ship Steve immediately steps on the toes of Mickey Donohue (Glenn Ford) by taking over his rate of Chief Gunnery Mate.Then, later that evening, Mickey goes to the U.S.O. & meets Mary...that's Mary Boleslavski (Marguerite Chapman). He walks her home & learns her last name. There's a little mix up between the guys on the front porch. What is going to happen next? We can easily expect more trouble between Boley & Mickey. Will Boley agree to a permanent relationship between Mick & Mary? Good question.The ship will have more problems that will put the crew in danger. W.O.W. Those shake down cruises are dangerous.
vawlkee_2000
I grew up with this film in the early 60's........ I remember it fondly as a little kid. We had a beach house at Newport and I remember sitting and watching it on more than one occasion.....It did something to me that I can't put a paw on.Columbia was strictly 2nd tier as studios went in those days but this one is obviously an "A" as the studio went.It has a great cast, special effects that rivaled the "big boys" and an ambiance that few could equal......Watching the gleam in Eddie G's eyes really makes it fly..He singlehandedly steals the show......He has the right amount of humor and pathos to really make this film stand out. It's really a pity that no one knows this film in this day and age.....The use of old sea chanteys in the score brings a wonderful ambiance to the atmosphere..This film also has two (in my opinion) classic lines in it. When Edgar Buchanan is dancing with a goldigger at the USO, she says "sailor, I understand you've gotten a pay raise, what will you do with it?" To which Buchanan replies: "Oh some on booze, some on women and the rest foolishly...". The other gem is where Robinson confronts Glenn Ford and makes the comment: "Why I've wrung more seawater out of my socks than you've sailed over!" What can I say kiddies, this is one of my favorites and I consider myself fortunate to have it on VHS so I can watch it any time I want to.......It was released by "Hollywood Movie Greats" on VHS in 1990..... Robert
