Sea Spoilers

That's what a friend said in reaction to this movie, another cheap production from Paul Malvern and Trem Carr, with John Wayne slowly pulling himself out of the mass of cheap westerns and bit parts as corpses he had played over the past six years. If they wanted to make a movie about the Coast Guard, why didn't they look at Wayne, throw away the script and write something fo this obviously nascent star? Didn't they know what they had?

I think they knew what they had. That's why they gave him the part, instead of telling Wayne that he should do another western. However, producers Trem Carr and Paul Malvern weren't in the business of rewriting a B movie for a B movie actor. They didn't get a Universal release -- a definite step up from the States Rights distribution network they had been selling through -- because they could make a real star out of someone who had gotten his shot with Raoul Walsh half a dozen years earlier, and nearly sunk Fox Films. They got it because of their track record of being able to make a passable B western for no money, and passing the savings on. Could Wayne act? Well, they probably replied, we've got Frank Strayer directing, and he's good with no money. Wayne? He'll stand where Frank tells him, and do what Frank tells him, and he can say any old tripe with conviction. Is that what you mean? Besides, the movie isn't really about Wayne. It's about Bakewell redeeming himself, the discipline and service of the Coast Guard, and the big battle scene at the end -- that's where your money is going -- and there's a seal for comedy relief. If you wanted an actor, why'd you let Lew Ayres get away? We can get Wayne cheap.

Even ten years later, John Ford would look at RED RIVER and say "I didn't know he could act." If he didn't know -- or hadn't cared to find out earlier -- why should Carr and Malvern? They weren't creating art. They were creating B movies to be rented out at a flat rate for kiddie matinees. Rewriting the script, delaying production, restaging the sequence would add to the cost, and cut into their thin profit margin, and annoy Universal executives. They weren't in the business of risking a quarter of a million dollars on a production, and if it didn't pay back its costs, the other 51 productions on the slate would make up the deficit.

Besides, it's actually a pretty good example of the Poverty Row B action movie of the time. It's about redemption and forgiveness, and natural resources. And it's got a cute seal. AND Fuzzy Knight.

An American mystery drama; A story about sealskin smugglers who kidnap the girlfriend of an Alaskan coast guardsman who has recently been made temporary boatswain of a patrol cutter. The film has reasonable production values for a short feature, good location work too. Alas, the B-movie story has some unbelievable elements like a captain with sea phobia, a lot of plot consequences that are coincidental, and detours that make this an overfilled pie. Nevertheless, the final battle is very well staged. John Wayne has a cool charm which shines through as the man overlooked for promotion and placed second in command to a green Captain played adequately well by William Bakewell.

I believe this is the first Wayne film for Universal. As such, not bad for its type. Low budget hurts but it does move along well. Why aren't these older Wayne films run on television?

During the 1930s, John Wayne made dozens of B-movies....and nearly all of them were westerns. However, "Sea Spoilers" is one where he isn't a cowboy...but is an officer with the US Coast Guard in Alaska.

When the story begins, Bob is the acting commander of a patrol boat and he anticipates being made the captain full-time. However, the commander appoints his son as the new captain...and it's an obvious case of nepotism. But Bob is a professional and serves his new commander faithfully...even when it turns out the guy has aquaphobia!!! The new captain also just isn't very competent and this is a problem when some murderers and poachers kidnap Bob's girlfriend...and the captain's poor skills result in the crooks getting away with the lady. Can Bob somehow manage to stop these jerks and get the girl...without a mutiny or insubordination?

By this point in his career, Wayne was much more natural on screen and here, despite the film having an unusual theme and locale, he does a very good job. Overall, a very good example of a B...one that's been colorized and recently posted to YouTube.

John Wayne is Bob Randall, the best boatswain in the Coast Guard. His ship is heading home and he's looking forward to two things: he expects to be promoted to skipper of his ship, and he knows he'll see his girl Connie. Alas, things don't work out—at least not right away.

First, the commander back in port passes over Bob and appoints his own son to command the ship. The Duke is disappointed but grits his teeth—he is too much the professional to let it affect his work. But second, Connie is kidnapped by a gang of seal smugglers and taken out to sea and who knows where. Can this be allowed to stand?

Sea Spoilers does not exactly stretch the intellect, but it's fun, nevertheless.

Nan Grey is spirited as Connie, the girlfriend. Her part is not large but she has a few good scenes—she directs some fiery speeches at the head bad guy (Russell Hicks), and she displays smarts when a swift escape becomes vitally necessary.

Hicks is a particularly nasty baddie; suave in appearance and manner, he exults in the early success of his evil plans and freely insults his captives and enemies.

Some minor subplots distract briefly, such as the young commander's fear of rough water, and the seal brought on board by the Duke's assistant and pal (Fuzzy Knight, as combination right hand man and comic relief). But it's really John Wayne's show: he plays a handsome, dutiful and daring young officer who's tall and strong and not a big talker. What's not to like?