Terrific sequences involving storms at sea with rocking boats and quaking airplanes quickly get you into this film that stars Randolph Scott and Ralph Bellamy as Coast Guard pals involved in all sorts of adventures as well as a romantic triangle. The lady is Frances Dee, granddaughter of aging officer (Walter Connelly) whom Scott and Bellamy rescued in one of those storms. Bellamy meets her first so it seems that he'll win her heart, but Scott, not really the marrying kind, is the type who steps in and wins the heart of the girl before they've committed to the other guy. Of course, Bellamy was the type who always lost the girl in the end, so it's a matter of how long it happens before Scott steps in, which doesn't even take half an hour before the wedding bells ring for at least one of the men.
1939 had dozens of classics that are still well regarded over 80 years later, so when you discover one you've never heard of from that year, it is another delightful surprise like Hollywood was grabbing ahold of the best scripts and stories and winning races with each release. This has a ton of beautifully filmed montage scenes that when mixed in with the romantic interaction between the three leads and the longer action sequences has an immediate grasp on the audience.
This B movie also succeeds due to a light hearted witty screenplay and an enthusiastic, attractive cast (which includes the comic relief of Warren Hymer), with plenty to keep the audience entertained. There's very little wasted time here, and at just over 70 minutes, you know you're getting the best that Columbia had to offer. A beautiful surviving print with sensational sound makes this seem as fresh as it was back then. As the plot develops rather fast, there's plenty of time for plot twists so you never know where it will go, and those surprises makes this a delight.
1939 had dozens of classics that are still well regarded over 80 years later, so when you discover one you've never heard of from that year, it is another delightful surprise like Hollywood was grabbing ahold of the best scripts and stories and winning races with each release. This has a ton of beautifully filmed montage scenes that when mixed in with the romantic interaction between the three leads and the longer action sequences has an immediate grasp on the audience.
This B movie also succeeds due to a light hearted witty screenplay and an enthusiastic, attractive cast (which includes the comic relief of Warren Hymer), with plenty to keep the audience entertained. There's very little wasted time here, and at just over 70 minutes, you know you're getting the best that Columbia had to offer. A beautiful surviving print with sensational sound makes this seem as fresh as it was back then. As the plot develops rather fast, there's plenty of time for plot twists so you never know where it will go, and those surprises makes this a delight.