Torpedoed

If you want a well-produced, slightly stodgy British movie, you can go to producer Herbert Wilcox with a sense of assurance. For this movie he imported three slightly over-ripe American stars: Richard Greene, as the handsome young naval lieutenant; H.B. Warner as the stiff-upper-lip British consul; and Noah Beery as El Presidente del Republica Bannannania, herein called "Bianco". Sheila Terry as Warner's daughter is the love interest.

It all starts with an attempted coup. Beery is dining with Wilcox at the consulate, while Greene is escorting Miss Terry from the local British cruiser. The last two are arrested and held by the rebels in varying degrees danger. Finally, the British ship begins a duel with the rebel's ship and are, of course, victorious.

The problem with this movie, aside from its flag-waving corniness is that it is all over too quickly. Once the British guns start to shoot, it's all settled but the order to send out the boats to pick up the survivors. The cooperation of the British Navy (they supplied the HMS Royal Oak to stand in for the rebels' ship; it was sunk about six weeks into World War Two) may have been impelled by the nascent British rearmament, as a plea for more funds to build ships.

It received a very early airing on US television, in May of 1940. The title song "Red, White and Blue" indicates that it may have been intended for export before completed. Other than that, it's been difficult to find, mostly because no one really cared.... nor should they, particularly.