Cry 'Havoc' (1943)

A chronicle of the experiences of a mixed group of Army nurses stationed in Bataan during World War II.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Paul Osborn (screenplay), Allan Kenward (play) (as Allan R. Kenward)

Stars:

Margaret Sullavan, Ann Sothern, Joan Blondell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Margaret Sullavan	...	Lt. Smith
Ann Sothern	...	Pat
Joan Blondell	...	Grace
Fay Bainter	...	Capt. Marsh
Marsha Hunt	...	Flo Norris
Ella Raines	...	Connie
Frances Gifford	...	Helen
Diana Lewis	...	Nydia
Heather Angel	...	Andra
Dorothy Morris	...	Sue
Connie Gilchrist	...	Sadie
Gloria Grafton	...	Steve
Fely Franquelli	...	Luisita

Storyline

The Army nurses on Bataan need help badly, but when it arrives, it sure isn't what they expected. A motley crew, including a Southern belle, a waitress, and a stripper, show up. Many conflicts arise among these women who are thrown together in what is a desperate and ultimately hopeless situation.

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Plot Keywords:

nurse | friendship between women | female bonding | war injury | volunteer | 

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Taglines:

The first great all-feminine drama of women in danger!

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angeli all'inferno

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film received its USA television premiere in Los Angeles Wednesday 17 October 1956 on KTTV (Channel 11), followed by Philadelphia Saturday 20 October 1956 on WFIL (Channel 6), by Altoona PA Thursday 22 November 1956 on WFB G (Channel 10), by Minneapolis Sunday 23 December 1956 on KMGM (Channel 9), by Omaha Wednesday 9 January 1957 on WOW (Channel 6), by Chicago Monday 14 January 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2) and by Seattle 23 April 1957 on KING (Channel 5); its New York City television premiere took place 23 November 1957 on WCBS (Channel 2), and in San Francisco it first aired 10 February 1958 on KGO (Channel 7).

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Quotes

Grace: [during an air raid] "I feel like a bubble dancer with a slow leak."

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Connections

Referenced in Salem: Cry Havoc (2015)

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Soundtracks

Blues in the Night
(1941) (uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Whistled by Marsha Hunt
Hummed by Ann Sothern

User Reviews

A Compelling and Offbeat WWII Drama.

What makes the 1943 WWII drama,"Cry,Havoc", offbeat is that it deals with a subject of the war that was rarely talked about then or now. The subject is the struggles and noble sacrifices of army nurses. "Cry,Havoc" was based on a fairly successful stage play, which explains why the film is set primarily in the confines of an underground bomb shelter. However,this doesn't make the film any the less powerful or intriguing. Lieutenant Mary "Smitty" Smith(Margaret Sullavan) desperately needs more experienced nurses at an army hospital in Bataan. Later,several volunteers arrive at Bataan and are willing to do their part for the war effort. Smitty is somewhat disappointed when see learns they aren't experienced. Although, the nurses are willing to work, they aren't fully aware of the hardships and destruction they'll have to face. The nurses' predicament becomes worse when two hospital buildings are hit and bombed by Japanese planes. Their chance of survival becomes extremely slim. This film paints an unglamorous and intense picture of war. Except for a few male extras,the majority of the cast is female. MGM put an ensemble cast of accomplished actresses in the leads. The cast includes: Margaret Sullavan, Ann Sothern, Joan Blondell, Fay Bainter, Marsha Hunt,and Heather Angel. Sothern stands out among the cast. Although, she was a gifted comedienne,Sothern had an immense talent in dramatic areas as well. Here she plays Pat Conlin, a tough, headstrong nurse,who thinks she knows the severity of war. She learns the hard way that isn't that easy and becomes a more sympathetic person because of it. Sullavan gives a fine,realistic performance as Lieutenant Smitty. She's a courageous character that is slowly dying of malignant Malaria. The rest of the cast give unique performances as well. This is one of Richard Thrope's better directorial efforts. He had directed the unsatisfying spy thriller,"Above Suspicion" and the dull sequel to the award-winning classic,"Mrs. Miniver". If you want to see a similarly-themed film,watch Paramount's "So,Proudly We Hail",also made in 1943. It is actually superior to "Cry,Havoc". It goes more in-depth about army nurses' sacrifices and is set in many different areas. "Cry,Havoc" is still very good and makes a compelling viewing experience. I give it an 8 out of 10.