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IMDbPro

The Fighting Seabees

  • 19441944
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
John Wayne and Susan Hayward in The Fighting Seabees (1944)
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • War
During WW2, the U.S. Navy implements a new idea of forming construction battalions that also are fighting units, in case of Japanese attack.During WW2, the U.S. Navy implements a new idea of forming construction battalions that also are fighting units, in case of Japanese attack.During WW2, the U.S. Navy implements a new idea of forming construction battalions that also are fighting units, in case of Japanese attack.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Edward Ludwig
  • Writers
    • Borden Chase(screenplay)
    • Æneas MacKenzie(screenplay)
    • Ethel Hill(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Susan Hayward
    • Dennis O'Keefe
Top credits
  • Director
    • Edward Ludwig
  • Writers
    • Borden Chase(screenplay)
    • Æneas MacKenzie(screenplay)
    • Ethel Hill(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Susan Hayward
    • Dennis O'Keefe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos37

    "The Fighting Seabees," Republic 1944.
    John Wayne and Susan Hayward in The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    John Wayne in The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    John Wayne, Susan Hayward, and Dennis O'Keefe in The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    John Wayne and Susan Hayward in The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)
    The Fighting Seabees (1944)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Lt. Cmdr. Wedge Donovanas Lt. Cmdr. Wedge Donovan
    Susan Hayward
    Susan Hayward
    • Constance Chesleyas Constance Chesley
    Dennis O'Keefe
    Dennis O'Keefe
    • Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrowas Lt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow
    William Frawley
    William Frawley
    • Eddie Powersas Eddie Powers
    Leonid Kinskey
    Leonid Kinskey
    • Johnny Novaskyas Johnny Novasky
    J.M. Kerrigan
    J.M. Kerrigan
    • Sawyer Collinsas Sawyer Collins
    Grant Withers
    Grant Withers
    • Whanger Sprecklesas Whanger Spreckles
    Paul Fix
    Paul Fix
    • Ding Jacobsas Ding Jacobs
    Ben Welden
    Ben Welden
    • Yump Lumkinas Yump Lumkin
    William Forrest
    William Forrest
    • Lt. Tom Kerrickas Lt. Tom Kerrick
    Addison Richards
    Addison Richards
    • Capt. Joyceas Capt. Joyce
    Jay Norris
    • Joe Brickas Joe Brick
    Duncan Renaldo
    Duncan Renaldo
    • Construction Worker at Partyas Construction Worker at Party
    Abdullah Abbas
    • Construction Workeras Construction Worker
    • (uncredited)
    Lee Adams
    • Construction Workeras Construction Worker
    • (uncredited)
    Joel Allen
    • Coxswainas Coxswain
    • (uncredited)
    Walter Bacon
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    Roy Barcroft
    Roy Barcroft
    • Seabee Barcroftas Seabee Barcroft
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Edward Ludwig
    • Writers
      • Borden Chase(screenplay) (original story)
      • Æneas MacKenzie(screenplay)
      • Ethel Hill(contributing writer) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The name "Seabees" is a nickname for the US Navy's Construction Battalions (CBs) division.
    • Goofs
      When the Seabees are first deployed to the island, they embark in Higgins boats (no bow ramps). When they reach the shore, the Higgins boats are now LCVPs.
    • 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.

    • Crazy credits
      The film's opening credits dedication states: "Proudly and gratefully we dedicate this picture to the Civil Engineer Corps and the Construction Battalions - the Seabees of the United States Navy who have fired the imagination of the world with their colorful exploits throughout the Seven Seas."
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in That's Action (1977)
    • Soundtracks
      Song Of The Seabees
      Music by Peter De Rose (as Peter DeRose)

      Lyrics by Sam Lewis (as Sam M. Lewis)

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Great movie
    A fine John Wayne movie and no WWII movie collector should be without it. This movie's great patriotic musical score is also a fine example of strong & very well-written harmonies for male chorus; the score sounds like the U.S. Navy Band's men's chorus (an astounding group of music professionals by the way) and is a dramatic performance that supports this very positive story of the Seabees. With some added drama along the way, this movie demonstrates some of the work done by the SeaBees - building facilities & runways on remote islands during WWII; massive runway construction with PSP grid materials, bulldozing, & hut construction, which were all representative of the basics that needed accomplishing during this campaign. This was a refreshing viewing experience in that the then media was supportive of the American fighting man, and while this may make some in today's culture wince, that's their problem. Today's warriors and sailors are just as honorable & deserving of the kind of support that surrounds this kind of movie, and watching this production reminds you of that fact. Very dramatic, perhaps over-acted at times, but a great story about our fine Seabees! If you are a patriot, I believe you'll enjoy this movie.
    helpful•15
    5
    • timgrimes
    • Jan 10, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 10, 1944 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Donovan's Army
    • Filming locations
      • Port Hueneme, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Republic Pictures (I)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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