Although the plot synopsis will make you think Navy Blue and Gold has a Navy setting, it actually has more of a football focus. The three leads in the film (Robert Young, James Stewart, and Tom Brown) are plebes for almost the entire movie, and there's just as much time spent on the football field as in their room studying for officer's training school. This isn't a criticism, but just something military fans might want to be aware of.
It's funny to see a movie where Robert Young is clearly the lead and has much more screen confidence than youngster James Stewart, when two years later, Jimmy will be up for Best Actor at the Oscars for his iconic role Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. For most of the movie, you'll wonder what the lanky, shy plebe is even the second lead, but then he finally gets his moment to shine. He has a secret, and when it's finally revealed, he shows off his dramatic acting chops and tearful speech that always tugs on your heartstrings.
Speaking of tugging on your heartstrings, Lionel Barrymore has a small role as the beloved Navy captain who oversees all the football games. He's always a very professional actor, but he's seen walking with great difficulty using dual canes in this movie, and you can tell he's in pain. It's very sad, and it makes you wonder why Hollywood didn't give him a break and put him in a movie where he didn't have to do so much walking. If you love Lionel, skip this movie. If you love Robert Young and Navy football, try it out this weekend.
