Tell It to the Marines (1926)

U.S. Marine Sergeant O'Hara has his hands full training raw recruits, one of whom, 'Skeets' Burns, is a particular thorn in his side. If Burns's lackadaisical approach to the military were ... See full summary »

Director:

George W. Hill

Writers:

Richard Schayer (screen play), Joseph Farnham (titles)

Stars:

Lon Chaney, William Haines, Eleanor Boardman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lon Chaney	...	Sergeant O'Hara
William Haines	...	Private 'Skeet' Burns
Eleanor Boardman	...	Norma Dale
Eddie Gribbon	...	Corporal Madden
Carmel Myers	...	Zaya
Warner Oland	...	Chinese Bandit Chief
Mitchell Lewis	...	Native
Frank Currier	...	General Wilcox
Maurice E. Kains	...	Harry (as Maurice Kains)

Storyline

U.S. Marine Sergeant O'Hara has his hands full training raw recruits, one of whom, 'Skeets' Burns, is a particular thorn in his side. If Burns's lackadaisical approach to the military were not bad enough, he also makes advances on nurse Nora Dale, whom Sergeant O'Hara secretly loves. Nora is oblivious to O'Hara's feelings and is attracted to the handsome 'Skeet.' But an indiscretion turns her against him, and it takes an expedition to China and a battle with a warlord's bandit brigade to sort things out among the nurse and her two Marines.

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Plot Keywords:

nurse | bandit | u.s. marine | battle | philippines | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 1927 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brand im Osten

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$433,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 103 min (2000 alternate)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Not only did Lon Chaney forgo his customary grotesque makeup for this picture; he refused to wear any film makeup at all, because - he reportedly reasoned - to have done so would have detracted from the documentary reality and integrity of the picture.

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Goofs

When Skeet is Parking the rent car in front of the Nursehouse, you can see clearly come smoke from the left side, which comes from a crew member smoking.

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Quotes

Marine Major: Burns, are you an American citizen?
Pvt. George Robert 'Skeet' Burns: Sure! Do I look like a Persian?
Marine Major: Ever been married?
Pvt. George Robert 'Skeet' Burns: Not me! I'm America's sweetheart!
Marine Major: Ever been in jail?
Pvt. George Robert 'Skeet' Burns: Well, Maje old kid... now I'm a Marine.
Marine Major: You're damned right you are! Stand up!
Sgt. O'Hara: Terrible!
Sgt. O'Hara: Madden, put a uniform on this! Try to make it look human!
Sgt. O'Hara: Don't shoot him before we find out where his parents live.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood: Hollywood Goes to War (1980)

User Reviews

William Haines becomes a star

in this smash hit of 1927 that also boasts a star turn from Lon Chaney. Eleanor Boardman, Carmel Myers, and Warner Oland are also effective in this comedy-drama about the wise guy from Kansas City (Haines) who joins the Marines and grows up under the tutelage of Chaney. From this point in his career until the early 30s (talkies) Haines was a top 5 box office star for MGM.