This general genre -- Americans fighting Nazism (or in this case the Japanese) before or during World War II, is generally not very high on my list of types of film to watch. However, every once in a while one comes along that is pretty decent, often because it's not as predictable.
One thing that makes this particular film a cut above is the cast, much of which was fresh off the success of "The Maltese Falcon". This is a good vehicle for Humphrey Bogart, who plays a GI pretending to be kicked out of the military to act as a sort of spy on some Americans that are up to no good with the Japanese, scheduled right around the bombing of Pearl Harbor, However, in this case the action is taking place centered around the Panama Canal. The primary bad guy here is Sidney Greenstreet, in league with he Japanese. Greenstreet is suitably menacing here. The leading question among the characters is: is Bogart's love interest -- again Mary Astor, a good girl or a bad girl? I actually think Astor is better here than she was in "The Maltese Falcon".
There are also many Asian character actors here that you will recognize, even if you don't remember their names: Victor Sen Yung, Richard Loo, and Keye Luke (among others). Another very good character actor here is Charles Halton.
Of course, as some of our participants have pointed out, there is negative stereotyping of the Japanese in this film. Well, of course! It was made in the middle of World War II.
The degree of suspense here is a little uneven, and there are times when the film moves a little too slowly (particularly in the first half of the film), but overall this film holds your attention.
Sidney Greenstreet's love of Japanese culture is really quite entertaining. I never considered him a very versatile actor, but he was very good at what he did well.
If there are any criticisms due here, there are two. First, the stunt doubling for Humphrey Bogart here is way too obvious. Second, some of the "special effects" here (such as the single airplane near the end of the film) is quite primitive. But, overall, these two things do not detract much from the enjoyment of the film; they may just make you smile.
Recommended if you wish to savor a taste of John Huston's Hollywood version of patriotism. Quite well done for this genre.
One thing that makes this particular film a cut above is the cast, much of which was fresh off the success of "The Maltese Falcon". This is a good vehicle for Humphrey Bogart, who plays a GI pretending to be kicked out of the military to act as a sort of spy on some Americans that are up to no good with the Japanese, scheduled right around the bombing of Pearl Harbor, However, in this case the action is taking place centered around the Panama Canal. The primary bad guy here is Sidney Greenstreet, in league with he Japanese. Greenstreet is suitably menacing here. The leading question among the characters is: is Bogart's love interest -- again Mary Astor, a good girl or a bad girl? I actually think Astor is better here than she was in "The Maltese Falcon".
There are also many Asian character actors here that you will recognize, even if you don't remember their names: Victor Sen Yung, Richard Loo, and Keye Luke (among others). Another very good character actor here is Charles Halton.
Of course, as some of our participants have pointed out, there is negative stereotyping of the Japanese in this film. Well, of course! It was made in the middle of World War II.
The degree of suspense here is a little uneven, and there are times when the film moves a little too slowly (particularly in the first half of the film), but overall this film holds your attention.
Sidney Greenstreet's love of Japanese culture is really quite entertaining. I never considered him a very versatile actor, but he was very good at what he did well.
If there are any criticisms due here, there are two. First, the stunt doubling for Humphrey Bogart here is way too obvious. Second, some of the "special effects" here (such as the single airplane near the end of the film) is quite primitive. But, overall, these two things do not detract much from the enjoyment of the film; they may just make you smile.
Recommended if you wish to savor a taste of John Huston's Hollywood version of patriotism. Quite well done for this genre.