John Wayne plays the role of a German merchant sea-captain, determined to get himself, his crew and his little freighter back to the fatherland. Playing the technical enemy was a rare outing for steadfast patriot Wayne, but he brings all of the staunch masculine values to bear that have typified just about every character he has ever played. His little ship might just as easily be a floating Alamo with a German flag.
He slips his moorings at night in the fog in order to escape internment. On board is a German kiss-n-tell agent played by busty Lana Turner. She, in turn, is the formerly betrothed mistress to a British navel captain, played by David Farrer. Farrer also provides the intermittent narrative voice-over.
There's plenty of familiar faces in the crew. Not least is Lyle Bettger, who should have done what Wayne did and invent himself a more memorable name. He plays his ruthless and vicious first officer. He also provides a little competition for the charms of Ms Turner. Ever-reliable John Qualen turns up to stoke the other boiler.
And it's a sea chase. David Farrer's Captain doesn't much care for losing his woman, or the fact that she was a spy. But the case is compounded when the first officer murders some marooned sailors, black-balling Wayne and his vessel.
There's lots of adventures along the way as a cat-and-mouse pursuit pitches the British navy against our elusive tramp-steamer. Ms Turner's character has to learn that there's actually more to men than her mammary-glands can gratify. Farrer is frequently out-foxed. Qualen keeps the engine running. There are several interesting dynamics with the rest of the crew - especially when it comes to using lifeboats as fuel.
The ending is a bit flimsy. After such sterling and steadfast characters have been developed throughout the movie, the ambiguous melting away of the stars isn't very satisfying.
But it's a good old 1950's adventure with all of the standard features of the period. Well worth a watch.
He slips his moorings at night in the fog in order to escape internment. On board is a German kiss-n-tell agent played by busty Lana Turner. She, in turn, is the formerly betrothed mistress to a British navel captain, played by David Farrer. Farrer also provides the intermittent narrative voice-over.
There's plenty of familiar faces in the crew. Not least is Lyle Bettger, who should have done what Wayne did and invent himself a more memorable name. He plays his ruthless and vicious first officer. He also provides a little competition for the charms of Ms Turner. Ever-reliable John Qualen turns up to stoke the other boiler.
And it's a sea chase. David Farrer's Captain doesn't much care for losing his woman, or the fact that she was a spy. But the case is compounded when the first officer murders some marooned sailors, black-balling Wayne and his vessel.
There's lots of adventures along the way as a cat-and-mouse pursuit pitches the British navy against our elusive tramp-steamer. Ms Turner's character has to learn that there's actually more to men than her mammary-glands can gratify. Farrer is frequently out-foxed. Qualen keeps the engine running. There are several interesting dynamics with the rest of the crew - especially when it comes to using lifeboats as fuel.
The ending is a bit flimsy. After such sterling and steadfast characters have been developed throughout the movie, the ambiguous melting away of the stars isn't very satisfying.
But it's a good old 1950's adventure with all of the standard features of the period. Well worth a watch.