The Fighting Lady (1944)

The film follows the WWII exploits of the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) (unidentified in the film), in its first major operations following its commissioning in 1943. ... See full summary »

Directors:

Edward Steichen (as Commander Edward J Steichen USNR), William Wyler (uncredited)

Writers:

John S. Martin (narration written by) (as John Stuart Martin), Eugene Ling (narration written by)

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Charles Boyer, Joseph J. Clark

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Robert Taylor	...	Narrator (voice) (as Lieut Robert Taylor USNR)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles Boyer	...	Récitant / Narrator (French version) (voice)
Joseph J. Clark	...	Self (as Jocko)
Dixie Kiefer	...	Self (as Dixie)
G.E. Lowe	...	Self
John S. McCain Jr.	...	Self (as John S. McCain)
John Meehan	...	Self
E.T. Stover	...	Self

Storyline

The film follows the WWII exploits of the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) (unidentified in the film), in its first major operations following its commissioning in 1943. The life of the crew is documented from July 1943 to June 1944, from its passage through the Panama Canal through assaults on Marcus, Kwajalein, Truk and Tinian Islands, and culminating with the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Spectacular 16mm Kodachrome footage of combat operations and naval aviation is prominent throughout.

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Plot Keywords:

war at sea | naval aviation | aircraft carrier | warship | ship's crew | 

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Taglines:

THE NARRATOR IS LT. ROBERT TAYLOR-USN (print ad - Lubbock Avalanche Journal - Tower Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - April 22, 1945 - all caps)

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Genres:

Documentary | History | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some scenes were shot on carriers other than the Yorktown. Early in the film, as the carrier's air group is shown landing on the ship, one can see a blacked-out number "14" on the aft flight deck. This indicates those shots were taken aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14) - another Essex-class carrier similar to the U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10). The scene where the plane is dripping burning thermite on the deck after landing was shot on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17). Aircraft from the Yorktown can be identified by the diagonal white strip on their tail's vertical stabilizer.

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Quotes

Narrator: [commenting on the Japanese pilots] These little monkeys are fancy fliers.

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Crazy Credits

Most of the credits appear as if they had been typed out on a teletype machine.

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Connections

Features Home in Indiana (1944)

User Reviews

The intent and content of "The Fighting Lady 1944"

The Fighting Lady is an American made `docudrama' typical of much Hollywood's war years production. It is narrated by Hollywood star Robert Taylor who had enlisted in the US Navy during WWII. There is no central character, rather it is primarily the story of life aboard a typical American aircraft carrier during the middle war years in the pacific. It includes some spectacular color gun camera footage of strafing and bombing missions at the battles of Marcus, Truk, and Kwajalern and the Marians. It acknowledges US losses, but does not tell of their extent: our carrier aircraft losses at Truk, for example, were particularly severe. The movie seems to be preparing the US public for a possibly long and costly conclusion to the pacific war. It describes the campaign necessary to conclude the pacific war in some detail. It is a campaign that thankfully was cut short. It should be seen as essentially a propaganda film, and is worthwhile viewing especially from that perspective.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1945 (France)

Also Known As:

Le combattant

Filming Locations:

Marianas Trench, South Pacific, Pacific Ocean

Company Credits

Production Co:

Louis De Rochemont Associates, Delta Productions (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1