With WWII already engulfing Europe, you would think the Marine Corps could help devise a much better film to aid enlistments than this low-budget sparsely equipped film. All you get is a handful of airplanes and a very few marines helping to quash rebellion and banditry in an unnamed Central American country. The equipment in this film pales by comparison with those in films like "Here Comes The Navy (1934)," "Submarine D-1 (1937)" and "Wings of the Navy (1939)." I would think it would have the effect of driving people away from joining the marines. Lovely Lucille Ball is a plus, but once again there is a tedious love triangle involving her, Richard Dix and Chester Morris that detracts from the action that comes later in the film. That action was somewhat exciting, but the film was disappointing in the main.
3 Reviews
Which one will she choose?
dbdumonteil20 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The warning at the beginning may seem ludicrous for today's,audience:America is always here in the world when countries are "badly " ruled" or threatened by revolutionaries (called "bandits"!!).fortunately the marines fly high and are here to support the "good " natives and save the damsel in distress (here,Lucille Ball,owner of a cacao plantation,coveted (the lady) by the two brave soldiers .
There's two good things: -the identity of El Vengador "( who claims his salary !) -the astute way of getting a wrench (with a message ) closer to the soldiers .
If you like Dix,do choose "ghost ship"(Mark Robson,1943) instead.
There's two good things: -the identity of El Vengador "( who claims his salary !) -the astute way of getting a wrench (with a message ) closer to the soldiers .
If you like Dix,do choose "ghost ship"(Mark Robson,1943) instead.
It doesn't have to be a comedy for everyone to love Lucy
jarrodmcdonald-127 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I think it's unfair to call this just another 'B' film. It's a very well made programmer with a serviceable plot and plenty of thrills. There is the obligatory romantic angle, actually a triangle between the three leads, but none of that gets in the way of the picture's exciting action sequences.
The three stars had all worked together in previous pictures. Top-billed Richard Dix at 47, and Chester Morris at 39, had already collaborated in two action flicks-- one a submarine yarn at Columbia and the other one an aviation drama at RKO. Leading lady Lucille Ball at 28 had just come off RKO's FIVE CAME BACK with Morris and TWELVE CROWDED HOURS with Dix, both titles released a year earlier by RKO.
In addition to the trio of box office names, we have Steffi Duna and John Eldredge in key supporting roles. Both provide a bit of flair with their colorful characters. Duna turns up as a dancer who has a past with Dix; while Eldredge plays the foreman at Ball's plantation. In a surprise twist, we learn Eldredge is more than a foreman; he's a revolutionary named Vendango, Spanish for Avenger.
When Ball's plantation is usurped by rebel forces, she seeks help from a nearby Marine camp. This is where Dix and Morris enter the story, since they are assigned to help protect her. It won't be an easy task, since they've both fallen for her and are at odds with each other.
What I like most about this film is how it's a smart blend of several different genres. It feels like a cross between a jungle adventure and a western mixed with a military theme. There are also aviation elements, because Dix and Morris pilot planes that fly overhead and attack the guerrillas below.
Another great thng about the film is how Ball isn't forced to play a shrinking violet. She exhibits considerable courage in the face of danger. Even when she and Morris are led into an ambush and Morris is wounded, she keeps her cool.
Ball uses her brains to get a message to Dix who will rescue them. After they've made their way to safety, the drama isn't quite over.
In the end, she has to choose between the two guys. She has agreed to marry Morris, but her heart really belongs to Dix.
To the film's credit, Morris isn't conveniently killed off in battle. So the last few scenes depict a mature break-up between Morris and Ball that facilitates her happy ending with Dix.
While they were making this movie, Morris' wife of 14 years served him with divorce papers. Ball would soon meet Desi Arnaz on the studio lot when she was assigned to do a musical. In real life she never owned a plantation, but she and Arnaz ended up owning RKO, which is significantly better.
The three stars had all worked together in previous pictures. Top-billed Richard Dix at 47, and Chester Morris at 39, had already collaborated in two action flicks-- one a submarine yarn at Columbia and the other one an aviation drama at RKO. Leading lady Lucille Ball at 28 had just come off RKO's FIVE CAME BACK with Morris and TWELVE CROWDED HOURS with Dix, both titles released a year earlier by RKO.
In addition to the trio of box office names, we have Steffi Duna and John Eldredge in key supporting roles. Both provide a bit of flair with their colorful characters. Duna turns up as a dancer who has a past with Dix; while Eldredge plays the foreman at Ball's plantation. In a surprise twist, we learn Eldredge is more than a foreman; he's a revolutionary named Vendango, Spanish for Avenger.
When Ball's plantation is usurped by rebel forces, she seeks help from a nearby Marine camp. This is where Dix and Morris enter the story, since they are assigned to help protect her. It won't be an easy task, since they've both fallen for her and are at odds with each other.
What I like most about this film is how it's a smart blend of several different genres. It feels like a cross between a jungle adventure and a western mixed with a military theme. There are also aviation elements, because Dix and Morris pilot planes that fly overhead and attack the guerrillas below.
Another great thng about the film is how Ball isn't forced to play a shrinking violet. She exhibits considerable courage in the face of danger. Even when she and Morris are led into an ambush and Morris is wounded, she keeps her cool.
Ball uses her brains to get a message to Dix who will rescue them. After they've made their way to safety, the drama isn't quite over.
In the end, she has to choose between the two guys. She has agreed to marry Morris, but her heart really belongs to Dix.
To the film's credit, Morris isn't conveniently killed off in battle. So the last few scenes depict a mature break-up between Morris and Ball that facilitates her happy ending with Dix.
While they were making this movie, Morris' wife of 14 years served him with divorce papers. Ball would soon meet Desi Arnaz on the studio lot when she was assigned to do a musical. In real life she never owned a plantation, but she and Arnaz ended up owning RKO, which is significantly better.
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