The Frogmen (1951)

The new commander of a Navy Underwater Demolition Team--nicknamed "Frogmen"--must earn the respect of the men in his unit, who are still grieving over the death of their former commander and resentful of the new one.

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

John Tucker Battle (screenplay), Oscar Millard (story)

Stars:

Richard Widmark, Dana Andrews, Gary Merrill

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Widmark	...	Lt. Cmdr. John Lawrence
Dana Andrews	...	Jake Flannigan
Gary Merrill	...	Lt. Cmdr. Pete Vincent
Jeffrey Hunter	...	Pappy Creighton
Warren Stevens	...	Hodges
Robert Wagner	...	Lt. (jg) Franklin
Harvey Lembeck	...	Marvin W. 'Canarsie' Mikowsky
Robert Rockwell	...	Lt. Bill Doyle
Henry Slate	...	Sleepy

Storyline

World War II drama in which Richard Widmark, as Lt. Cmdr. John Lawrence, replaces the popular commanding officer of a group of underwater demolition divers. a crew of fiercely independent studs who hang their proverbial hats in Davy Jones' locker. The martinet Lawrence tightens the discipline of the unit, making him mucho unpopular with the macho frogmen. Finally, Lawrence proves himself as more than just a stuffed white shirt, showing he has the cojones to keep up with their peculiar brand of the jones, becoming one of the team by fearlessly defusing a live torpedo at the risk of his own life.

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | based on true story | pacific ocean | homosexual subtext | hairy chest | 

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Taglines:

UNCLE SAM'S UNDERWATER COMMANDOS! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: This is a true story based on incidents which occurred in the latter part of World War II. It deals with one of the most hazardous and unique branches of the Armed Forces---- the Underwater Demolition Teams.

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Goofs

In most above water close-up shots, the men wear their face mask on their forehead. This is photogenic, but a good way to lose a mask. To keep the mask from falling off, it should be pulled down below the chin. This is most notable in the speed boat drop-off and pick-up scenes.

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Quotes

Lt. Cmdr. Pete Vincent: Looks like you've got what amounts to a legal mutiny on your hands.

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Connections

Version of The 20th Century-Fox Hour: Deep Water (1957)

User Reviews

Friend was stunt double on this movie

I have not seen this movie in many years but I would like to note that my friend Herschel Spurlock and his buddy Harold Tucker were stunt-men on this movie. They were UDT men and got paid $50 per day for there work. I plan to buy a copy of the movie and give it to my friend. This movie seems to have quite a group of primary actors. In the old days Navy men were call UDT, today the modern term is Navy Seals. UDT means underwater demolition team. My friend did a lot of work from submarines and was injured once descending a ladder, broke both legs. He also had a hand grenade thrown at him and just recently had a brass piece of shrapnel removed from his back. In addition my friend is on deck in the middle picture on the back of the DVD. He is looking left and has a bathing suit on. Herschel Spurlock died in the California Veterans Home in Yountville 5/20/2009.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 1951 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Frogmen

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1