Navy Blues (1937)

When Navy shipmates Russell J. "Rusty" Gibbs, Gerald "Biff" Jones, Chips and Gateleg go on shore leave, lady-killer Rusty is challenged by his friends to take dowdy librarian Doris Kimbell ... See full summary »

Director:

Ralph Staub

Writers:

Gordon Kahn (original screenplay), Eric Taylor (original screenplay)

Stars:

Dick Purcell, Mary Brian, Warren Hymer

Cast

Cast overview:
Dick Purcell	...	Russell J. 'Rusty' Gibbs
Mary Brian	...	Doris Kimbell
Warren Hymer	...	Gerald 'Biff' Jones
Joe Sawyer	...	Chips (as Joseph Sawyer)
Edward Woods	...	Julian Everett
Horace McMahon	...	Gateleg (as Horace MacMahon)
Chester Clute	...	Uncle Andrew
Lucile Gleason	...	Aunt Beulah (as Lucille Gleason)
Ruth Fallows	...	Goldie
Alonzo Price	...	Dr. Crowley
Mel Ruick	...	Lawson
Carleton Young	...	Spencer

Storyline

When Navy shipmates Russell J. "Rusty" Gibbs, Gerald "Biff" Jones, Chips and Gateleg go on shore leave, lady-killer Rusty is challenged by his friends to take dowdy librarian Doris Kimbell to the Crow's Nest Cafe, a popular Navy hangout. Accepting the bet, Rusty is soon at the library trying to romance an unimpressed Doris. As a cover, Rusty checks out a book on algebra in which Doris' beau, Julian Everett, is unusually interested. The two men escort Doris home, where Rusty receives a chilly reception from Doris' aunt, Beulah Wayne, who disapproves of common sailors. Rusty lies to them, saying that he is a candidate for Annapolis, although actually he is too old, and Doris is impressed enough to go walking on the beach with him the next day. He makes another date with her, but Chips and Gateleg tell the family the truth about Rusty not really being an Annapolis candidate. When Rusty goes to pick up Doris, she gives him the cold shoulder, but he lies to her again, telling her that he ...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

User Reviews

Rambunctious Fun

Who would think an algebra book could cause so much trouble. But it does, especially for our four roughouse ship jockeys. What great sailors the actors make from budding Romeo (Purcell as sailor Rusty) to muscled dimwit Biff (Hymer), along with serious-minded Chips (Sawyer) and tag-along Gateleg (McMahon). Why bother with a Navy when this roughouse bunch shows they can stumble through any kind of foreign threat, especially with the versatile Hymer who steals the show. Good thing there's lovely actress Brian to relieve our eyes from all these ugly guys. Her conversion from plain-Jane librarian to romantic eye-candy is a compelling one that fits right in.

The flick's first part is mainly comedic, while the second tries to serious-up without losing the amusing aspects. Watch the guys get involved with a murky foreign scheme aimed at an assassination. But can they stop it since no one can figure out just who long-time buddy Rusty really is! (Avoid the IMDB summary which for some reason is book length and gives away the suspenseful plot points.) Of course, the 68-minutes is hardly Oscar bait, but does remain humorously entertaining despite the passing decades. All in all, the result's a testament to the enduring skills of one of Hollywood's lowest budget studios, Republic. So give it a try.

(In passing- Too bad both Purcell and Hymer passed away at relatively young ages. Nonetheless, for a chuckle, check out IMDB's Trivia that reports on a defiant Hymer's revenge on Columbia's arrogant chieftain Harry Cohn. It's a gasser-- or something like that.)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1937 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1