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The Fighting Seabees (1944)

Approved | | Drama, Romance, War | 10 July 1944 (UK)
The Fighting Seabees Poster
During WW2, the U.S. Navy implements a new idea of forming construction battalions that also are fighting units, in case of Japanese attack.

Director:

Edward Ludwig

Writers:

Borden Chase (screenplay), Æneas MacKenzie (screenplay) (as Aeneas MacKenzie) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Dennis O'Keefe | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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From $3.99 (HD) on Prime Video

ON DISC
Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Wayne ... Lt. Cmdr. Wedge Donovan
Susan Hayward ... Constance Chesley
Dennis O'Keefe ... Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow
William Frawley ... Eddie Powers
Leonid Kinskey ... Johnny Novasky
J.M. Kerrigan ... Sawyer Collins
Grant Withers ... Whanger Spreckles
Paul Fix ... Ding Jacobs
Ben Welden ... Yump Lumkin
William Forrest ... Lt. Tom Kerrick
Addison Richards ... Capt. Joyce
Jay Norris Jay Norris ... Joe Brick
Duncan Renaldo ... Construction Worker at Party
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Construction workers in World War II in the Pacific are needed to build military sites, but the work is dangerous and they doubt the ability of the Navy to protect them. After a series of attacks by the Japanese, something new is tried, Construction Battalions (CBs=Seabees). The new CBs have to both build and be ready to fight. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

naval uniform | navy | champagne | military uniform | u.s. soldier | See All (93) »

Taglines:

ROMANCE OF THE SEVEN SEAS! (original poster - all caps) See more »

Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1944 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Donovan's Army See more »

Filming Locations:

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's portrayal of Japanese characters was considered particularly racist even for a propaganda film made during World War II. See more »

Goofs

When the Japanese soldier is picked up in the clamshell bucket, the feet beneath the bucket are facing the opposite direction of the soldier. See more »

Quotes

Eddie Powers: I'm Eddie Powers, Donovan's factotum, meaning, "Man Friday". That's Latin.
Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow: Well, I'm glad to know you Friday even if it's only Thursday.
See more »

Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version. See more »

Connections

Featured in Showbiz Goes to War (1982) See more »

Soundtracks

Where Do You Work-a, John?
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Mortimer Weinberg and Charley Marks
Sung by those at the coming home party
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Wartime propaganda trying convincing Americans to die!!!
6 November 2017 | by elo-equipamentos – See all my reviews

It's quite understandable that wartime this ultra nationalism propaganda make sense,war is war including this unreliable movie even more with John Wayne leading the process,works to Americans who needed to be convincing your people to die for the country....typical movie that didn't add to much in nothing...only to Americans whose are blind about the war!!

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First watch: 1993 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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