It's David vs. Goliath on the seas when Rusty Ryan and John Brickly lead the Navy's new PT boats into the Battle of the Philippines during the early days of WWII. The nostalgic tune was said to be a favorite of both Wayne and director John Ford. Alternate Versions The fall of the Phillippines to the Japanese in World War II, and the heroism and tragedy of the defenders, as exemplified by the story of one American PT boat squadron. In the book actual names of the main characters were written but in this film fictional names similar to the real names were used. | (1943); They Were Expendable (1945) and Back to Bataan (1945). Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. The real-life Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 in the Philippines at the beginning of World War II was equipped with six 77-foot Elco PT boats, all either lost in combat or destroyed to prevent capture. In 1941, the 3rd Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron of the U.S. Navy is sent to Manila Bay to help defend the Philippine Islands against invasion by the Japanese army. Synopsis He of course captained the PT-109. There is some confusion about the engines, as Packard held a license for manufacturing Britsh Merlin engines. Refresh and try again. The PT boat squadrons were nicknamed "the mosquito fleet" because of their small size, high speed and maneuverability. It is often supposed that John Wayne's salute to the late Harry Carey--his tableau at the end of "The Searchers" in which he holds his right elbow with his left hand as Carey did in some of his movies--was for the benefit of Carey's widow Olive Carey who watched off-camera. Directed by John Ford, Robert Montgomery. Start by marking “Behind the Scenes of They Were Expendable: A Pictorial History” as Want to Read: Error rating book. The essay deals with the problem of finding workers who will obey orders without needless questions, work hard without supervision, overcoming obstacles by taking initiative on their own, and complete assignments as tasked. | Welcome back. As. In the film, the Squadron 3 boats are represented by two 80-foot Elco and four 78-foot Higgins PT boats. It complains of those who do not fall into the above category as impeding the work of those who do. It contains dozens of candid behind-the-scenes photos from the set of, Behind the Scenes of They Were Expendable, Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War, Cozy Up with November's Most Anticipated Romances. After hearing that Admiral Blackwell wants to see LT Brickley, LTJG Ryan opines that he "probably wants us to carry a message to Garcia."

Outgunned and outmanned, the skippers and their crews defy the odds and prove the effectiveness of their highly maneuverable boats. A Navy commander fights to prove the battle-worthiness of …

Soundtracks, By the time the film was finished the Japanese had surrendered, so MGM pushed the release date back to December 1945. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. This would suggest that this was a one-time-only pose by Wayne in a film. | The waltz-style love song was written in 1913 by Victor Schertzinger. Only a few that were still in the US escaped destruction. He had the honor of promoting him to Rear Admiral. "PT" is the US hull classification symbol for "Patrol Torpedo". At the funeral service for two of his servicemen who died in battle. The haunting song, "Marcheta," is remembered from this movie. Be the first to ask a question about Behind the Scenes of They Were Expendable. In a scene on the docks, a ship named the Lucien P. Libby is in the background. This is one of a handful of feature film movies that have featured the story of the World War II Battle of Bataan.

They hit, they run, they return to fight again - and they play a vital role in the holding action that buys valuable time for the U.S. after the crippling attack on Pearl Harbor. They include Bataan (1943), So Proudly We Hail! Shortly after Pearl Harbor, a squadron of PT-boat crews in the Philipines must battle the Navy brass between skirmishes with the Japanese. by McFarland. In the wake of Pearl Harbor's surprise attack, World War II hero, Lt. John Brickley's experimental squadron of agile fast-attack Patrol Torpedo boats is sent to warm and humid Manila to avert a potentially imminent Japanese invasion. However, it is preceded by this film, in which Wayne makes the same move at the back of a PT Boat. A Navy commander fights to prove the battle-worthiness of the PT boat at the start of World War II. "Dad" Knowlton, the shipwright who repairs the PT boats, has a poignant little scene in which he refuses to leave the place he's lived and worked for 40 years, although the Japanese are advancing.

Based on the real life heroics of Lieutenants John Bulkeley (Brickley) and Robert Kelly (Ryan), the movie accurately depicts the defense of the Philippines by American PT Boats from December 1941 through April 1942 for which Lieutenant (later Vice Admiral) Bulkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor and Lieutenant Kelly the Navy Cross. This is one of a handful of feature film movies that have featured the story of the World War II Battle of Bataan. In a weird twist of history, John Bulkeley knew the Kennedy family and helped recruit John F. Kennedy into PT service. | Since they were made of plywood, rather than metal, they were not considered to be useful for anything.

Montgomery and Wayne turn in acclaimed performances in this powerful film that is widely recognized as one of director John Ford's all-time greatest works. With the war over, the film opened to enthusiastic reviews but low turnout at the box office. In 1945 U.S. Navy photographer Nick Scutti found himself in the Florida Keys on the set of the classic World War II drama. They were capable of speeds of up to 40 knots (46 mph). They were stripped of engines and armament and then torched. The squadron, under the command of Lt. John Brickley, arrives at its island post only to be ridiculed by some of the top military leaders, who do not believe that the small torpedo boats can be effective. During the Second World War, John Ford served in the navy, attaining the rank of rear admiral, and made several documentaries, including the classic The Battle of Midway. The PT boat initially had little respect from senior Navy officers but their maneuverability and speed however quickly change their minds. Parents Guide. This was the first film in which Granville Owen was billed under his new stage name, Jeff York. They include, Based on a true story, with a focus on Medal of Honor awardee Lt. (and later Vice Admiral) John. After a demonstration of new PT boats, navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan (John Wayne) frustrated. Visible inside the hat are the initials JP. A nice arrangement of the song played by Chet Atkins on his guitar can be found on ITunes. Is there glory in defeat? His first opportunity to put the squadron to good use finally comes when news arrives that the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. When the spare crews are mustering for departure to Army units, Doc passes around his hat to collect tobacco.

The title says it all about the Navy's attitude towards the PT-boats and their crews. The lighthouse withstood an attack by Seminole Indians in 1835. I speak for the thousands of silent lips, forever stilled among the jungles and in the deep waters of the Pacific which marked the way."