Stand by for Action (1942)

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Laurence Kirk (story)
Harvey S. Haislip (story) ...

Release Date:

14 February 1944 (Sweden)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Gunfire | WWII | Japanese | Tennis | San Francisco California

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Robert Taylor	...	Lieut. Gregg Masterman
Charles Laughton	...	Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas
Brian Donlevy	...	Lieut. Cmdr. Martin J. Roberts
Walter Brennan	...	Chief Yeoman Henry Johnson
Marilyn Maxwell	...	Audrey Carr
Henry O'Neill	...	Cmdr. Stone M.C
Marta Linden	...	Mary Collins
Chill Wills	...	Chief Boatswain's Mate Jenks
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Captain Ludlow
Richard Quine	...	Ensign Lindsay
William Tannen	...	Flag Lieut. Dudley
Douglas Fowley	...	Ensign Martin
Tim Ryan	...	Lieut. Tim Ryan
Dick Simmons	...	Lieut. (jg) Royce
Byron Foulger	...	Pharmacist's Mate 'Doc' Miller

Also Known As:

Cargo of Innocents (UK)

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #8801) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S | Sweden:15

Company:

Loew's

Trivia:

The world premiere on 31 December 1942 took place simultaneously in 7 US cities: Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Illinois; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California and San Francisco, California. Some earlier screenings may have taken place for naval officers on Treasure Island, California and Mare Island, California.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Members of the cast almost always say, "Yes, sir," in response to orders, etc.; Naval personnel say, "Aye, aye, sir."

Soundtrack:

The Star Spangled Banner

Movie reflects courage and desperation of early WWII

Aside from the obvious encouragement to enlist this film has a good story line and contains truth, compassion and heroism. Stand By For Action was based on the book "Cargo of Innocents", hence the inclusion of the women and babies found in the lifeboat. This is one of my favorite roles for Charles Laughton who is quite believable as a crabby naval officer from the early 20th century. It is also a great role for Robert Taylor who portrays a character entirely lost to Americans of the last 50 years; that is an ivy-league, privileged rich young man forced to learn his experience from real working class men who, as Laughton's character exclaims "Built the navy". Walter Brennan appeals to the side of every man who comes to love a ship or car or job for its own sake. Brian Donlevy does an excellent job as the farm boy turned navy captain, and Chill Wills is good as ever as the guy everyone wishes would have been his "Chief". Youngsters need to see this movie because it reflects well on an America known to their grandparents, and the rest of us should review it once in awhile so as not to forget what we once were. Added plus: a thrilling, realistic sea battle complete with "fog-of-war".