The Gallant Hours (1960)

A semi-documentary dramatization of five weeks in the life of Vice Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey, Jr., from his assignment to command the U.S. naval operations in the South Pacific to ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Montgomery

Writers:

Beirne Lay Jr., Frank D. Gilroy

Stars:

James Cagney, Dennis Weaver, Ward Costello

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Cagney	...	Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey Jr.
Dennis Weaver	...	Lt. Cmdr. Andy Lowe
Ward Costello	...	Capt. Harry Black
Vaughn Taylor	...	Cmdr. Mike Pulaski
Richard Jaeckel	...	Lt. Cmdr. Roy Webb
Les Tremayne	...	Capt. Frank Enright
Walter Sande	...	Capt. Horace Keys
Karl Swenson	...	Capt. Bill Bailey
Leon Lontoc	...	Manuel
Robert Burton	...	Maj. Gen. Roy Geiger
Carleton Young	...	Col. Evans Carlson
Raymond Bailey	...	Maj. Gen. Archie Vandergrift
Harry Landers	...	Capt. Joseph Foss
Richard Carlyle	...	Father Frederic Gehring
James Yagi	...	Rear Adm. Jiro Kobe

Storyline

A semi-documentary dramatization of five weeks in the life of Vice Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey, Jr., from his assignment to command the U.S. naval operations in the South Pacific to the Allied victory at Guadalcanal.

---

Plot Keywords:

navy | naval battle

---

Taglines:

They Called Him the Bull of the Pacific...His Name Was Halsey..But the Enemy Spelled it Hell!

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1960 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Der Admiral

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cagney-Montgomery Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the meeting of the top commanders, Rear Admiral Kelly Turner first talks, then is introduced by the narrator, then talks again. In the background is a clock. In the 3 consecutive scenes the clock goes from 20:17 to 20:25, then back to 20:20.

---

Quotes

Fleet Admiral William F. 'Bull' Halsey Jr.: There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.

---

Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: Episode dated 15 May 1960 (1960)

---

Soundtracks

"The Gallant Hours Theme"
Words and Music by Ward Costello
Sung by Roger Wagner Chorale (as The Roger Wagner Chorale)

User Reviews

I Knew A Lad Who Went To Sea!

When in the days that pass this life that we live,if you happen to come upon this film keep it,view it,and know truly that this is what is meant by the golden age of Hollywood.This is not about the roaring twenties or the 1940s or in fact anything that you can touch.It is a film that involves a time when we in our resolve as a sovereignty were to be attacked by surprise and while unable to provide front line support sufficient to deter such unwarranted aggression we did what we could to figure out how to do what we had as yet been unable to do and that is stop the Japanese.Our military history will recognize that the defense of Guadalcanal will be recognized as a perimeter that was held and cleared at great cost.However,the ability of the Marine Corps to hold were aided by the very gallant efforts of our Navy and so many others that though Guadalcanal was the focus of our efforts,the reader might do well to look up Defense of the South Pacific.This was in fact when we started to take back what was a very high cost to relinquish.Names like battle of savo island,The straights of Iron Bottom Sound,the Solomons,The Tokyo Express,you will learn just how drama can unfold on the silver screen without running up a 300 million dollar tab.This film is about a ordinary man in Admiral William Halsey who at a very critical time in our efforts in the South Pacific took command of our defenses and in a matter of speaking light a fire and proceeded to defend and ultimately defeat the aggression of a dangerous and superior force in the Japanese.This film is not to go past when you come to it.I am personally pleased that where I was a youngster when I first viewed this very fine film, fortunately it has been made available through videotape(VHS)and maybe those that know better would know that these are the films we truly care for.This is in defense of the Gallant Hours, it would do well as a fine package in Digital Versatile Disc.I do not think you can do any better a movie than The Gallant Hours.I can not recommend a picture any more highly than I than this film.A moving tribute to a very ordinary man who said that he would get the credit for the work that was started by others.A worthy movie going experience.It might be well to know that there are subtle ways by which this movie becomes a picture worth saving and it is emphasized in the following words,"I knew a lad who went to sea and left the shore behind him,the lad was me and now I can not find him.Away,away,away he went and left the shore behind him."A do not miss.Sincerely