Ombre sul mare

The year before making the adorable war comedy Mr. Winkle Goes to War, in which he's inept and struggles through basic training, Edward G. Robinson made the serious war drama Destroyer, in which he played a seasoned seaman and boat architect. There's quite a difference between the two roles, and it will be nice for fans of his to see his range. In this movie, he reenlists during wartime so that he can sail on the ship that he built on her maiden voyage. He leaves behind his beautiful young daughter, Marguerite Chapman, but gets to see her during frequent shore leaves. On the ship with him are Captain Regis Toomey, old friend Edgar Buchanan, frequent costar and sidekick Edward Brophy, and a young upstart Glenn Ford.

Glenn Ford is so annoying in this movie! He's a wolf on the make with no respect for women and no interest in Marguerite particularly, he's shockingly insolent to his superior officers, and yet we're supposed to root for him to get the girl? What am I missing here? He follows Marguerite home after seeing her at a USO dance, without even knowing her name, and worms his way into her home; then he gets a chip on his shoulder when she refuses to go to bed with him. She asks him to be kinder to her father, whom he'd insulted when they met earlier, and the next thing he does is punch him in the jaw! Eddie G saves him from a court martial, and he still gives him attitude.

For Glenn fans, I would not recommend this movie. But for Eddie G fans, it is worth watching. He is much more likeable than his younger co-star, and his character is fleshed out and believable. He loves his ship, believes she is capable of anything, and is willing to stand by her through thick and thin. He also loves his daughter and doesn't want her to get involved in his kind of life. There's also a lot of physical acting to the role, with all the rigorous demands of a sea captain, fist fights, and even underwater welding.

The movie " DESTROYER " is based on an inspiring story written by Frank Wead and directed by William A. Seiter. Filmed during the war years to inspire a nation, it did just that. With a fabulous cast which includes the like of Edward G. Robinson, Glenn Ford, Edgar Buchanan, Leo Gorcey and Regis Toomey as Lt. Cmdr. Clark, the entire group does an excellent job of inspiring any audience who views it. It's a simple story of American construction men who not only build war ship but then reenlist to sail in it as well. The movie also includes the war years back home and the moral boosting women manning the U.S.O. clubs back home. It dates back to W.W.II and how difficult it was to to convince a nation to support a war that was necessary, not contrived as we have recently done. A Good show with a good cast. ****

First Rate for the period. A good patriotic Navy film, in the class with "Men of Honor" and Top Gun. Great depiction of sailors,Ships and the sea. As a U.S. Navy Veteran and "Tin-can-Sailor" an affectionate term for "Destroyer" Sailors, this shows the connection of the men and the Ship. The personality and the Valor of the Ship and her namesake and the men that make HER sail. To the sailor she is more than just steel that floats, she is Life; one lives, eats and sleeps the ship. If she don't float, we die. She takes us in harm's way and if we do it right, she brings us home. Home is the sailor, home from the sea. "Well done "Boli."

Steve "Boley" Boleslavski (Edward G. Robinson) and Kansas Jackson (Edgar Buchanan) are old sea dogs who put together the second incarnation of a Navy destroyer called the John Paul Jones. Boley swears it's a great ship, but during its trials, it fails on many counts and is consigned to mail delivery. Morale is low, people want to leave, and on top of all that, Boley has trouble with a crewman named Mickey Donahue (Glenn Ford), who starts seeing Boley's daughter Mary (Marguerite Chapman). How will all these problems be resolved?

This was a fun one. I went in not knowing anything about it, just wanting to see more of Ford and Robinson. Though there are serious moments, mostly of the action variety, this is largely a light comedy, which is not surprising considering people like Buchanan, Leo Gorcey and Ed Brophy are in it. They provide levity, but also some heart.

Far from the best war picture I've seen, but still a good experience. Plus, it's always interesting to see these movies that were made in the middle of the war. Always adds another angle to things.

P.S. Good ol' Regis Toomey has a nice role in this as Boley's superior officer (once trained by Boley), and shockingly, he doesn't play a cop! Well, unless you consider a Lt. Cmdr. in the Navy a cop.

Enjoyable WWII film about an aging sailor (Edward G. Robinson) coming into conflict with a young rival (Glenn Ford). It's all pretty by-the-numbers but some first-rate casting elevates it. Robinson excelled in playing parts like this. He brings a dignity and human touch to it that a lot of other actors wouldn't. Ford is great as well. This is young Glenn Ford before he developed his signature style where he always looked like he was ready to blow his top. There's good support from the likes of Edgar Buchanan, Regis Toomey, the very pretty Marguerite Chapman, and the always likable & funny Leo Gorcey. I'm sure people who are fans of these types of movies will enjoy it.