Hell Below

The classic story of falling in love with the boss's daughter gets a fresh take with Hell Below. Robert Montgomery, Eugene Pallette, Jimmy Durante, Robert Young, and Sterling Holloway are all sailors under the command of the stern Walter Huston. The first Robert falls in love with Walter's daughter, Madge Evans, but that's not enough of an obstacle; she's also married.

Spliced in between romantic scenes are some pretty intense battle scenes. If you liked Devil and the Deep, this movie will be right up your alley. Both are submarine dramas with a stern captain and a forbidden love. You can tell this movie is pre-Code, because while on leave, Eugene is trying to pick up a girl, who's started to cozy up to Jimmy. He says a suggestive remark about Jimmy's nose that could only be allowed passed the censors when there weren't any censors.

What I like about these movies is that in general, it's really easy to see the "bad guy's" side and even take it. When Walter tries to intervene and save his daughter from hurting her husband, Robert tries to insult him by saying, "I can't see you apologizing for anything, sir." Walter holds up a glass and makes the perfect comeback and toast: "I don't plan on doing things I'll be sorry for. Here's to discipline. There's nothing like it, and nothing without it." Isn't he great?

Hell Below gives a warning with the title. This is gritty, violent, dramatic, and raw. It's not for the faint of heart, but those who do rent it are in for a great forgotten treat.