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Wake Island

  • 19421942
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
William Bendix, Brian Donlevy, Macdonald Carey, Albert Dekker, and Robert Preston in Wake Island (1942)
  • Action
  • Drama
  • War
December, 1941. With no hope of relief or re-supply, a small band of United States Marines tries to keep the Japanese Navy from capturing their island base.December, 1941. With no hope of relief or re-supply, a small band of United States Marines tries to keep the Japanese Navy from capturing their island base.December, 1941. With no hope of relief or re-supply, a small band of United States Marines tries to keep the Japanese Navy from capturing their island base.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Farrow
  • Writers
    • W.R. Burnett(screenplay)
    • Frank Butler(screenplay)
    • Lawrence Hazard(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • Brian Donlevy
    • Robert Preston
    • Macdonald Carey
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Farrow
  • Writers
    • W.R. Burnett(screenplay)
    • Frank Butler(screenplay)
    • Lawrence Hazard(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • Brian Donlevy
    • Robert Preston
    • Macdonald Carey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations total

    Photos53

    Brian Donlevy, Macdonald Carey, Albert Dekker, and Robert Preston in Wake Island (1942)
    William Bendix, Bill Goodwin, and Robert Preston in Wake Island (1942)
    Brian Donlevy and Albert Dekker in Wake Island (1942)
    Wake Island (1942)
    Brian Donlevy and Macdonald Carey in Wake Island (1942)
    Brian Donlevy and Albert Dekker in Wake Island (1942)
    Wake Island (1942)
    Barbara Britton in Wake Island (1942)
    William Bendix and Robert Preston in Wake Island (1942)
    Bill Goodwin in Wake Island (1942)
    Wake Island (1942)
    William Bendix in Wake Island (1942)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brian Donlevy
    Brian Donlevy
    • Maj. Geoffrey Catonas Maj. Geoffrey Caton
    Robert Preston
    Robert Preston
    • Pvt. Joe Doyleas Pvt. Joe Doyle
    Macdonald Carey
    Macdonald Carey
    • Lt. Bruce Cameronas Lt. Bruce Cameron
    William Bendix
    William Bendix
    • Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randallas Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randall
    Albert Dekker
    Albert Dekker
    • Shad McCloskyas Shad McClosky
    Walter Abel
    Walter Abel
    • Cmdr. Robertsas Cmdr. Roberts
    Mikhail Rasumny
    Mikhail Rasumny
    • Ivan Probenzkyas Ivan Probenzky
    Rod Cameron
    Rod Cameron
    • Capt. Pete Lewisas Capt. Pete Lewis
    Bill Goodwin
    Bill Goodwin
    • Sgt. Higbeeas Sgt. Higbee…
    Damian O'Flynn
    Damian O'Flynn
    • Capt. Bill Patrickas Capt. Bill Patrick
    Frank Albertson
    Frank Albertson
    • Johnny Ruddas Johnny Rudd
    Hugh Beaumont
    Hugh Beaumont
    • Captainas Captain
    • (uncredited)
    Barbara Britton
    Barbara Britton
    • Sally Cameronas Sally Cameron
    • (uncredited)
    Hillary Brooke
    Hillary Brooke
    • Girl at the Innas Girl at the Inn
    • (uncredited)
    James Brown
    James Brown
    • Wounded Marine First Lieutenantas Wounded Marine First Lieutenant
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Carson
    Robert Carson
    • Marine Spotting Reconnaissance Planeas Marine Spotting Reconnaissance Plane
    • (uncredited)
    Don Castle
    Don Castle
    • Pvt. Cunkleas Pvt. Cunkle
    • (uncredited)
    Luke Chan
    • Japanese Admiralas Japanese Admiral
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Farrow
    • Writers
      • W.R. Burnett(screenplay) (story)
      • Frank Butler(screenplay)
      • Lawrence Hazard(contributing writer) (uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In November 1941, Major Caton takes command of the small Marine garrison on Wake Island. His tendency toward spit and polish upsets the men's tropical lassitude, but Pearl Harbor changes everything. Soon the island is attacked and the Marines pull together day by day; but how long can they hold out? —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
    • year 1941
    • siege
    • u.s. marine corps
    • world war two
    • reference to franklin d. roosevelt
    • 61 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Tougher than Leather . . . Harder to Kill! Daring Americans Fighting Against All Odds!
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • War
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paramount began work on this movie before the real-life battle for Wake Island was over.
    • Goofs
      The scene showing a Japanese aircraft doing a recon of the island, has sharply tapered wing tips and fixed landing gear. However, the shadow of the aircraft has rounded wing tips.
    • Quotes

      Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randall: Boys, the honeymoon's over. From now on you're marines.

    • Connections
      Featured in Paramount Victory Short No. T2-3: The Price of Victory (1942)
    • Soundtracks
      Marine Hymn
      (uncredited)
      Music by Jacques Offenbach ("Gendarme's Duet") 1867
      Heard under opening credirs

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    'Realistic study of brave men in War...
    "Wake Island" is a battle for a small atoll in the Central Pacific Ocean west of Honolulu, which was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, hours after Pearl Harbor... The small U.S. marine garrison held out until the Japanese overran the island on December 23...

    It is a story of sacrifice of the gallant and doomed defenders, movingly portrayed by William Bendix, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy, MacDonald Carey and others... The battle scenes are chillingly photographed in Black and White, and the movie blows the clarion call for a new heroism... It is the 'Alamo of the Pacific,' the cry of 'Remember Wake Island," with the same stirring effects as 'Remember the Alamo,' one hundred years previously...

    Well done within its limits, the film bears the unmistakable stamp of truth, and hails as a realistic portrayal of brave men in war...
    helpful•37
    9
    • Nazi_Fighter_David
    • Sep 15, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 11, 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • La isla de la gloria
    • Filming locations
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $826,061 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

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