Submarine D-1

"Submarine D-1" is a typical but terrific Warner Brothers, pre-WW2 movie on the glory of the U.S. Navy and in particular the submarine service. It has a great cast lead by Pat O'Brien, George Brent, Wayne Morris, and Frank McHugh but does not have Broderick Crawford among its players.

"Submarine D-1" contains great performances by Pat O'Brien as the Chief Petty Officer, Wayne Morris as the cocky sailor who finally matures into a first-rate CPO, and George Brent as the dedicated and somewhat fatherly submarine captain. Frank McHugh is also on hand as Warner Brothers' guaranteed laugh-getter for sure-fire comic relief. Henry O'Neil is well-cast as the wise-old admiral.

"Submarine D-1" is loaded with action, thrills, and comedy but contrary to many film sources Broderick Crawford is not in the film. I watched the entire film from beginning to end and can absolutely verify that he does not appear in this otherwise great old movie.

Sorry to give this film such a low rating but just too many errors. First, the sign at the beginning saying U. S. Submarine Base New London, CT should say Groton, CT.", not New London. Next, as they were rescuing the men some of CPO's and officers were in full dress uniforms. REALY? Many of them managed to keep their caps on. While in Panama on their way to San Diego, they were wearing their winter blues. Then as Frank McHugh was meeting his girl friend at the dock, he somehow managed to be wearing completely dry clothes. Also, now in San Diego they were wearing winter blues. It's too bad as I was expecting to enjoy this film, it went into the drinl.

This is a tough movie to rate, mostly because it's from a period when Warner Brothers was struggling to produce new, distinctive movies that didn't star Errol Flynn. This flick about the men aboard a submarine as it travels from a surprisingly mountainous Long Island to Long Beach, then to the bottom of the ocean contains all the standard tropes of the military movie of the era and submarines in particular. Pals at work, fighting about dames? Check. Young hothead who straightens up and becomes a part of the outfit? Check. Calm, all-wise commander who shows up at odd moments to issue fiats and, and whose unflustered command during the crisis keeps things from falling apart? Check. Submarine trapped at the bottom of the ocean while everyone rallies around to save the crew? Check.

It's all performed well by the typical large, competent Warner Brothers cast under the direction of workhorse director Lloyd Bacon. As a result it's an eminently watchable example of the genre. Where it is of most interest is in the technology of rescue, the telephone that floats to the surface with its provenance written in large letters; the suited diver who heads down to attach a cable to the trapped boat. It's interesting to see the evolution of these, and associated techniques from Capra's SUBMARINE (1928) to this one.

The genre would evolve rapidly in the war years, with the emphasis on battle tactics and suspense. For the moment, this was the model in use.

Enjoyable inter-War military adventure drama featuring the U.S. Navy submarine service. Based upon the story "Submarine 262" by Frank "Spig" Wead, who wrote a number of similar screenplays highlighting various parts of the fleet. This particular drama features the use of the McCann Rescue Chamber and Momsen Lung in a dramatic rescue of men from a sunken submarine off the coast of Point Loma, California. George Brent is remarkably low key and effective as the Commanding Officer. Also included is a love triangle between Chief Petty Officer Butch Rogers (Pat O'Brien), Petty Officer First Class (later Chief Petty Officer) Sock McGillis (Wayne Morris), and Ann Sawyer (Doris Weston). Comic relief by Lucky (Frank McHugh). Some development of what it takes to be a successful sailor in the submarine service - the ship is as strong as its weakest sailor. A young Broderick Crawford appears in a small part and Ronald Reagan was cast in one of his earliest appearances in a bit part but his scenes were left on the cutting room floor. Good shots of the rest of the Pacific Fleet as they work through Fleet Problem 20. Recommended.

What a delightful surprise this movie was. It had all of the stereotypes of the Navy and sailors, although most of them are true. This movie had lots of submarines, ships, port calls, bar fights, women, military friendships, practical jokes, friendly rivalries, military training, deaths, and daring rescues.

My favorite part of this movie was the fun and powerful actors. Sock McGillis (Wayne Morris) stole the show for me as he progresses from an immature senior Petty Office First Class to becoming a professional and dedicated sailor that gets promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Throughout the movie Sock McGillis and Chief Petty Officer Butch Rogers (Pat O'Brien) are competing for the love of the wonderful Ann Sawyer (Doris Weston). The competition for the girl is dedicated, heartfelt and usually comical. Sock's best friend is Lucky (Frank McHugh) who is an unpolished junior sailor who progresses to a valuable sailor while providing laughs along the way. This movie is so much fun even before I mention on of my favorite actors George Brent, who plays the always calm Lt. Commander Matthews.

While this movie was made 80 years ago it is amazing how so much of the challenges and routines illustrated in this movie are still relevant to today's Navy. I am sure that one of the reasons that I enjoyed this more than the average IMDb viewer is because I spent over 20 years in the Navy. I really believe this is a must see for Old Salts such as myself.

Victor J. --- USN RETIRED 2009