You're in the Navy Now (1951) User Reviews

A pleasant change of pace.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 8 December 2011]

This film might just take you by surprise. After all, in so many films Gary Cooper plays the bigger than life hero. And, in so many WWII films (especially those made during the war), the story is about bigger than life heroes. Well, as a nice change of pace, Cooper plays a woefully unprepared and not especially heroic guy in this war film set during WWII--but made a few years later.

The film begins with Cooper receiving his first command of a naval ship. This seems weird to him, as he's only a reserve officer and has zero experience with ships. To make things a LOT worse, it turns out just about everyone on his new ship has no experience either! Heck, they aren't even sure how to take the ship out of port--it's that bad. To make things even worse, the Navy is testing out a new engine--and they've installed it on this ship! They can't help but fail and the film consists of one problem after another trying to get this ship to sea. Overall, an interesting film that actually was pretty entertaining and mildly funny--and I liked that it didn't try hard for jokes but took a more casual approach. It also helped that Cooper had some nice support--with Eddie Arnold, Jack Webb, Millard Mitchell, Ray Collins and many other veteran supporting actors. And, interestingly, the film was a first for three soon to be big names--Lee Marvin, Charley Buchinsky (Charles Bronson) and Jack Warden. Well worth seeing and undemanding fun.

Earnest Comedy

[Piafredux · 6/10 · 10 June 2006]

Never intended to be side-splittingly hilarious, 'You're In The Navy Now' is an earnest effort at showing the lighter side of naval service, broadly in the manner of the 'Readers' Digest' feature "Humor In Uniform," and as such it works though modern audiences often think it dated and unamusing. Poor modern audiences, indeed.

Solid cast here, with Gary Cooper shipshape as the green but earnest new skipper of a submarine chaser in which an experimental propulsion plant has been installed for testing; Jack Webb, Eddie Albert, Harry Von Zell, Jane Greer, Harvey Lembeck, Jack Warden, Charles Buchinski - later to become Charles Bronson, and Lee Marvin all working, and sometimes conniving, together to make their oddly-engined ship a proud one.

The actual PC1168 used in the film can be seen here: http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/011168.htm 'You're In The Navy Now' is a pleasant way to voyage through an evening.

An entertaining Naval comedy.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 28 April 2018]

Gary Cooper stars in this WWII comedy, released several years after the wars' finish, about the various experiments that the Navy conducted with machines and equipment. Cooper plays John W. Harkness, a Reserve officer assigned to commandeer a ship that's been outfitted with a steam engine. He's basically as inexperienced as his misfit crew, and dealing with them occupies practically as much time as trying to make their infernal steam engine work.

Likeable and lively, "You're in the Navy Now" was scripted by Richard Murphy, based on a New Yorker article by John W. Hazard, and directed by Henry Hathaway. While it may never be truly uproarious, it generates enough modest chuckles to keep it watchable. The "misfits make good" formula has been a part of cinema for a long, long time, and here it makes for a decent story, as we come to respect and admire these men when they learn how to work together, and keep that engine running. A subplot about beefy sailor Wascylewski (Charles Bronson) selected to represent the ship in a boxing match also takes up some of the running time.

Cooper gets to do something a little different here, in contrast to the more accomplished heroes he'd played before. Here he is rather overwhelmed, and plays it just right. The lovely Jane Greer gets a handful of scenes as his supportive wife, but what is most impressive is the roster of actors filling out roles: Jack Webb, John McIntire, Ray Collins, Millard Mitchell, Eddie Albert, Richard Erdman, Harvey Lembeck, Ed Begley, etc. Real-life WWII veterans Bronson, Lee Marvin (in a bit part as a radio man), and Jack Warden made their film debuts here, along with Lembeck.

Filmed with full military cooperation, the film does have the feel of authenticity, and moves along well to an amusing climax with a LOT of near misses.

Seven out of 10.

Shaking Down The Teakettle

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 20 December 2009]

It's noted in the Citadel Film Series book, the Films Of Gary Cooper that You're In The Navy Now was his first film for 20th Century Fox. It did fail to mention that this was the sixth of seven films that Cooper made with director Henry Hathaway. This was the only one of those seven that could be classified as a comedy.

Lieutenant Gary Cooper has just been activated from reserve status due to the war that broke out after Pearl Harbor. The Navy give him one interesting first command at sea. The Navy is experimenting with steam power as an alternative to diesel on the theory that there is in fact an infinite supply of water and oil might become scarce.

So Cooper gets an assignment on an experimental steam power PT Boat and he's to test it to see if it's feasible. But what the Navy also does is give him an entirely green crew of both officers and enlisted men. The only exception is boatswain Millard Mitchell.

This is quite a recipe for disaster and the laughs that would accompany those disasters. But Cooper and his crew prove surprisingly resilient in overcoming obstacles.

It's ironic that a film about a green crew for a Naval ship should also prove to be the debut film of several noted players as well. Lee Marvin, Harvey Lembeck, Charles Bronson, and Jack Warden all made their feature film debuts in You're In The Navy Now as sailors on the USS Teakettle as the men call their steam powered vessel.

With all the problems he has Coop is lucky enough to have married Jane Greer who is also in the WAVES and working as a secretary for one of the port big shots in John McIntire. She's provides the usual wifely support and has his back when things go wrong on the Teakettle as they inevitably do.

You're In The Navy Now is far from one of Cooper's major films nor is it the best of his collaborations with Henry Hathaway. But it's a pleasant enough comedy about a shakedown cruise which was also a shakedown film for a lot of debuting players.

Most notable for its supporting cast

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 15 May 2021]

Mechanical engineer Lt. John Harkness (Gary Cooper) is given his first sea duty as captain of a small ship with an experimental new steam engine. Nicknamed the "USS Teakettle", the ship is soon the laughing stock of the Navy for its frequent breakdowns and the misadventures of its motley crew.

The comedy is sitcom-level routine, there are no real surprises in the story, and the romantic subplot involving Cooper and Jane Greer is pointless and clearly thrown in to add a woman to the cast. What makes this movie somewhat memorable is the terrific supporting cast of notables both past and future. Ed Begley, Ray Collins, and John McIntire are all good as the old guard C. O.'s, while youthful Eddie Albert, Richard Erdman, and Jack Webb make an impression as the ship's novice officers. Harvey Lembeck, Lee Marvin, Jack Warden, and Charles Bronson all make their movie debuts, and each get a moment or two in the spotlight. Bronson naturally has several shirtless scenes, and one memorable bit has him losing a boxing match to Jack Webb! Lembeck is the ship wiseacre, while Jack Warden is loud and exasperated. Lee Marvin, with dark hair, plays the radioman named Lee. I can't call this movie very good, but those who enjoy Mister Roberts, McHale's Navy will probably enjoy it.

If you are USNavy, then you can enjoy the film

[daddyome · 10/10 · 15 December 2004]

This film is a good representation of life in the Navy,even in today's world. Anyone who served on a "steamer" as a "snipe" will easily understand the sacrifices required to keep the ship going. The human bonding that is very evident, while the Officers are growing into their authority, is constantly repeated in today's Navy. A ship's complement will turn-over 50 percent after returning from a deployment, returning the ship to a state of controlled chaos. What is seen in this movie is a very good look at what happens to every ship every two-three years. Ultimately, the crew completes the "quickening" and are able to function as a team. Try to understand the leadership techniques that "Coop" appears to stumble over with the intended effect. These tools are constantly in use today. Also understand the "level of silliness" that is demanded by the US Navy. While civilians will pooh-pooh the Navy brass requirements, this is taken with the utmost seriousness and urgency to complete, especially in time of war. As nit-picky the Navy demands are, it is very common for the entire ship to put their combined effort on this objective. Hence, it looks as silly as an elephant standing on a thimble. The amazing thing is that it is actually happening.

I really enjoyed this movie.

[stelro · 4 July 2001]

I wish this movie was on tape so I could get a copy to enjoy again. This was the first movie that I saw with one of my favorite actors. Charles Bronson although he was listed by his real name (Charles Buchinski) in the movie. I also just found out that Lee Marvin was also in this movie.

The military really is ordered chaos

[helpless_dancer · 5/10 · 2 February 2004]

Surely to God the United States Navy didn't use tubs like this in World War Two. Did they? Enjoyable film, not in a small part because of all the familiar old faces. A few amusing moments were to be had, but I imagine the thing would have been a laugh riot 50 years ago.

Teakettle Fun

[pdwebbsite · 8/10 · 6 August 2009]

This is a typical Gary Cooper vehicle where he gets placed in a sudden leadership role and has to rally the men who serve him. It's worked well in his other films and does so here. What I really enjoyed is all the actors who would later go on to enjoy their own careers like Eddie Arnold, Charles Bronson, Jack Webb, and even Lee Marvin. A great look at some of the less glorious aspects of navy service during WWII. So many films showcase the expertise or the hardened battle-weary sailors, but this movie showed how many sailors found themselves to be "90 day wonders", meaning they were pulled out from being civilians and trained quickly to serve. This movie showed that the average Joe (and Jill) truly did his or her part in winning the war.

A sinking ship

[F Gwynplaine MacIntyre · 1/10 · 9 December 2002]

'You're in the Navy Now' is painfully bad: very likely the worst movie Gary Cooper ever made. It's supposedly based on a true story, but the incident which inspired this film doesn't seem to have enough plot to sustain a feature-length script.

I saw this movie on local television while I was house-sitting for my mother-in-law in Long Island, New York. There was a raging blizzard outside, and I was literally snowbound. If I'd been able to get out the door, I definitely would have stopped watching this movie.

There are some interesting names in the supporting cast, notably Charles Bronson (under his original name), Lee Marvin, Harvey Lembeck, Jack Webb and Jack Warden. Forget it. Everybody stinks in this movie. Even the usually reliable Millard Mitchell is awful. Lee Marvin and Jack Warden are onscreen so briefly, there's no point in your watching for them.

Gary Cooper plays an obscure naval officer who is assigned to command a ship which is powered by a new, experimental steam turbine: basically, the whole ship is a giant teakettle. Cooper realises that the assignment is not a prestigious one: if it were, it would have gone to a better officer.

Cooper was a good actor in dramatic roles, but he simply had no ability for comedy. He made several bad comedies, and this one is his worst. Jane Greer has always bored me, and she bored me more than usual here. This ship went down with all hands, and sank without a trace. Have I mentioned that this movie stinks? I'll rate 'You're in the Navy Now' one point out of 10. Toot! Toot!

Excellent movie for its time

[MEEdmo42 · 8/10 · 11 May 2006]

I enjoyed this movie very much, mostly because of the many excellent actors. Now (2006), most, if not all, of the actors have passed away. I greatly enjoyed Jack Webb's role probably the most as he also began his career and also the little that Charles Bronson (Buchinski)was featured was a good start for him. One interesting note: when the ship was on a test run with big brass on board, you can see that Lee Marvin is twins. He relays the message to go faster to the man at the back of the ship, which is also Lee Marvin. I got a big kick out of that. I am not a Gary Cooper fan, but I loved the movie as a whole, just watching the many good actors that are now gone.

I enjoyed this minor film about the ship my uncle served on.

[hfbennett · 10 August 2000]

I was able to see this movie years after my uncle told me about his ship with the steam engines. I believe this was the first movie for a few of the cast who later became well known names. The ship was nicknamed the "Tea Kettle" and I believe the crew did have a morale problem. The cast, at least, made a huge effort to entertain.

Lost With All Hands.

[rmax304823 · 3/10 · 24 November 2010]

Directed by Henry Hathaway and, in roles big or small, wow, what a cast -- not just Gary Cooper but Jane Greer, Millard Mitchell, Charles Bronson, Jack Warden, Lee Marvin, Richard Erdman, John McIntire, Eddy Albert, Jack Webb, Ed Begley, and George Nader. These names may not mean much to you unless you're a fan of old movies, in which case they collectively look like a pantheon.

And all of them thrown together in what must be one of the least amusing service comedies ever made. Who greenlighted this machine-processed monstrosity? The writer, Richard Murphy, should have had sense enough to abort the project, having himself been responsible for some impressive screenplays earlier, like "Panic in the Streets." The plot involves engineer Gary Cooper being transferred from his desk job to the command of a submarine chaser designed as a test bed for a new super-steam engine. The three other officers are all as green as he is. The crew are cheeky and contemptuous of the USS Teakettle.

There are a few funny moments towards the end, when "the throttle gets stuck" and the ship rushes at high speed around the port, barely passing under bridges that are hastily being opened, while men run around in a frenzy, finally smashing into an aircraft carrier. The humor is exceeded in several Laurel and Hardy efforts.

No sense going into it further. A sad waste of time and talent.

I was on the USS PC_476 in WWII

[lannie1 · 8/10 · 13 June 2007]

Today,13 June 2007, was my first viewing of the movie and I was really excited since I never knew that it had been made. The PC476 was in the Pacific from Guadalcanal to Australia to New Guinea to Leyte in the Philippines. I was Signalman 3rd Class and worked on top with the signal lamps. Our PC had two GM 1600HP diesel engines and we also had equipment to desalinate water which just barely sufficient to meet our daily needs except for showers. I spent two years aboard from Oct 1943 to Oct 1945. I really enjoyed the movie and it did capture the essence of the required intimacy of the 60 enlisted and 5 officer crew on a vehicle 173 feet long and 21 feet wide at the beam.

Goofs

[jjvignol-1 · 9/10 · 16 March 2008]

I have always enjoyed this film for its humor and human characterizations. Men taken from their homes and jobs and suddenly finding themselves in a new and unfamiliar setting is always cause for confusion and misunderstanding. This film does an excellent effort at showing how men can respond to those challenges. Yet does so with wit and intelligence.

There is no goof section for this movie so I want to tell of two that I noticed. In one scene the crew is exercising weapons practice. On the bridge acting as communications man is Lee Marvin. When the command to drop a depth charge is given the command is received by Lee Marvin as the stern communications man. On the building behind the dock where the ship is berthed appears the sign "We Built for Victory." Obviously a post-war addition.

Must-see film, especially for outstanding cast, but also for good story

[morrisonhimself · 10/10 · 26 January 2018]

When Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson and Jack Warden are uncredited atmosphere and bit players, then you know the ones who do get credited will be HUGE names indeed.

Gary Cooper is the nominal star but much more of the action is handled, and handled superbly, by his "junior officers" and the "crew."

One of my favorites is Harvey Lembeck. I cringe at the waste of such talent as Harvey Lembeck in those horrible (except for the girls in swim suits) beach movies. But when he actually gets a part, as here, he just makes it look too easy. Absolutely marvelous talent.

Jane Greer has a few moments to do something besides look beautiful, and she does look beautiful but also handles those other moments too. Another superb talent.

Jack Webb again proves he was a real actor before he became somewhat of a cartoon character as "Joe Friday." This is a rather different part, where his character is a bit more loose and outgoing than his "Joe Friday" or "D.I." roles.

Eddie Albert -- well, what does one need to say? As almost always, he plays a likable character, and plays it so so well, it's hard to remember he's an actor, not that real person you really want to get to know.

Richard Erdman gets one of his best roles. He's another who's nearly always a likable character, but his comedic talents are really on display here. He's another sadly under-rated and wonderful actor.

With a walk-on part is Ed Begley. For his few seconds on camera, he nearly steals it.

Then the magnificent Ray Collins, the superlative John McIntire, and the unknown Henry Slate almost round out the credited cast, and each and every one is just ... just ... how many more superlatives can I find to use? How about "perfect"? They are all such great talents and they get such a great script, this movie is close enough to perfect because of them and it.

Finally, though, there is that excellent veteran, pretty unknown except to movie fanatics like myself, the magnificent Millard Mitchell. He has played practically every type of role Hollywood has created, even Western characters, and played them all to perfection. Mitchell was, simply, one of the greatest acting talents I have ever seen. Here, as the chief bosun, he almost steals every scene he's in.

"You're in the Navy Now" was a real surprise to me. I had never heard of it. And it was called a "comedy." Well, yes, in spots it's very funny. But mostly it's a pleasant type of humor, one could even say "warm."

I highly recommend "You're in the Navy Now," and there's a watchable print at YouTube, occasionally out of synch, but mostly very good. Please try to see this wonderful motion picture.

What a funny Navy comedy

[HotToastyRag · 8/10 · 5 July 2020]

This movie is hilarious! Normally, I don't like Gary Cooper, but his incompetence is just what this movie calls for. He's perfect in this one! He plays a newly commissioned skipper who has zero sea experience. He plans on relying on his experienced crew, but they're just as green as he is! Everything goes wrong, from the first moment he steps on board. He can't even get the engine to turn over, and when the ship pulls out of the dock, it crashes into another ship while Admiral Ed Begley looks on. In one hilarious mishap, one inept crew member tries to signal to another ship. He has to ask his pal what SOS is in Morse code, then he gets reprimanded for shining his light during a blackout. The signaled ship starts firing on theirs in answer! Maybe he got the dots and dashes wrong...

There are also a couple of naughty scenes involving Gary and his wife, Jane Greer. Jane's in the WAVES, but then they both enjoy shore leave, they always pick up where they left off. To entice him in one scene, Jane tells him she's going to go home and change. "What do you mean change?" Gary asks. "Take a shower, freshen up. . . You know, change." Gary gets the message and hurries after her. It's quite suggestive, and quite fun to see him letting his hair down. Jane Greer, who never got to be an A-tier actress, shows her chops off in this part. She doesn't have much screen time, but she's tough, supportive, and sultry. Just what every middle-aged husband wanted to return to!

Check this Navy comedy out, even if you don't like Gary Cooper. You'll get to see Eddie Albert, Millard Mitchell, John McIntire, Ray Collins, Jack Webb, and a very young, cutie, Charles Bronson. He was such a doll when he was younger, wasn't he?

"The best comedy of the year!"

[JohnHowardReid · 9/10 · 24 November 2017]

Gary Cooper (Lieutenant John Harkness), Jane Greer (Ellie), Millard Mitchell (Larrabee), Eddie Albert (Lieutenant Bill Barron), John McIntire (Commander Reynolds), Ray Collins (Admiral Tennant), Harry Von Zell (Captain Eliot), Jack Webb (Ensign Anthony Barbo), Richard Erdman (Ensign Chuck Dorrance), Harvey Lembeck (Norelli), Henry Slate (Ryan, chief engineer), Ed Begley (commander), Fay Roope (battleship admiral), Charles Tannen (Houlihan), Charles Buchinsky (Bronson) (Wascylewski), Jack Warden (Morse), Ken Harvey, Lee Marvin, Jerry Hausner, Charles Smith (crew members), James Cornell (new sailor), Glen Gordon, Laurence Hugo (shore patrolmen), Damian O'Flynn (doctor), Biff McGuire (sailor messenger), Norman McKay (admiral's aide), John McGuire (naval commander), Elsa Peterson (admiral's wife), Herman Cantor (naval captain), Joel Fluellen (mess boy), William Leicester (chief petty officer), Ted Stanhope (naval officer), Rory Mallinson (lieutenant commander), Bernard Kates (tugboat sailor).

Director: HENRY HATHAWAY. Screenplay: Richard Murphy. Based on an article "Flying Teakettle" by John W. Hazard published in The New Yorker magazine of 21 January 1950. Photography: Joe MacDonald. Film editor: James B. Clark. Music composed by Cyril Mockridge, orchestrated by Edward B. Powell, directed by Lionel Newman. Art directors: Lyle Wheeler, J. Russell Spencer. Set decorators: Thomas Little, Fred J. Rode. Wardrobe supervisor: Charles Le Maire. Make- up: Ben Nye. Special photographic effects: Fred Sersen, Ray Kellogg. Technical adviser: Chief Boatswain Joseph Warren Lomax, USN. Sound recording: W. D. Flick, Roger Heman. Producer: Fred Kohlmar. Copyright 23 February 1951 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 23 February 1951. U.S. release: January 1951. U.K. release: 28 May 1951. Australian release: 26 October 1951. 8,345 feet. 93 minutes.

Original U.S. release title: "U.S.S. Teakettle."

SYNOPSIS: Volunteering for the Navy, Lieutenant Harkness (Gary Cooper) is posted to command an experimental submarine-chaser. As neither he nor any member of the crew, with the exception of the boatswain, has the slightest knowledge of seamanship, some pretty hectic test cruises are undertaken.

NOTES: Film debut of Charles Bronson, under his real name, Charles Buchinsky.

COMMENT: As he had done in the 1940s, director Henry Hathaway strode like a veritable Colossus through the 1950s. Admittedly, the introduction of the anamorphic screen saw — oddly enough, since he was a master of action and location shooting — a diminution of his powers, particularly in Legend of the Lost (1957), but the end of the decade saw him right back in top form with "North to Alaska". Like that latter success," You're in the Navy Now" is one of Hathaway's rare comedies. However, unlike Alaska (which was one of the most popular films of the year), Navy failed to find an audience and was eventually marketed as a "B".

Yet it is not only well made, with all the usual Hathaway virtues and strengths, but it's very entertaining. I can't do better than quote Homer Dickens who wrote in his excellent entry in the famous Citadel books series, The Films of Gary Cooper: "Never was Cooper more delightful or winning."

Originally filmed as U.S.S. Teakettle, 20th Century-Fox actually released the film with this title in February of 1951. Despite glowing reviews, the audience response was nil and a change of title was thought necessary. Immediately thereafter, it came out as "You're in the Navy Now".

The part was Cooper's first starring role at 20th Century-Fox and marked his first visit to that great studio since the early days of his career (1925), when he rode as an extra in Tom Mix's film, The Lucky Horseshoe.

Said the New York Times (Bosley Crowther): "The best comedy of the year." Other critics were equally ecstatic. Incidentally, despite his praise, Bosley Crowther did not include "You're in the Navy Now" in his Ten Best Films of 1951, though it does figure in his supplementary list of runners-up.

USS Teakettle? (possible spoiler)

[Nojaa · 10/10 · 30 May 2007]

This movie is a very comical look at an actual incident that happened in the US Navy during World War II.

* Warning -- Spoiler * Gary Cooper plays Lieutenant John W. Harkness, a naval reserve officer who, because the Navy was short of officers, went through their crash course on how to be an officer. On receiving his commission, he finds he has the unfortunate luck of being assigned to one of the Navy's "experiments" -- a sub chaser powered by an experimental steam engine. Due to his degree in mechanical engineering, or perhaps because of it, Lt. Harkness is the only person on board who knows anything about steam engines.

Dubbed the "USS Teakettle," a nom de plume intended by the rest of the Navy as a slur against the ship, the crew takes the name and runs with it. Unfortunately, the ship is plagued with problems from the get go, and Lt. Harkness and his crew become the butt of many jokes. The crew manages to redeem themselves only through a base-sponsored boxing match.

The "coup de grace" occurs when the Teakettle is on another test run with the program's commander, Rear Admiral L. C. Tennant. After completing a successful run, the throttles on the steam engine freeze wide open, causing the ship to slough through the harbor waters at break-neck speeds until it finally comes to rest smashed against an aircraft carrier. Honor is finally satisfied, however, when the Admiral proclaims the experiment a failure and refits the ship with a diesel engine.

This movie is full of hilarious sequences and scenes of a ship commander who'd rather be someplace else.

The movie stars Gary Cooper, Jane Greer, Edward Albert, Ray Collins, Jack Webb and Henry Slate. Directed by Henry Hathaway.

Have never seen movie, however...

[doc659 · 21 October 2005]

My father did a cruise on the "Teakettle". I would like to know either the hull number or the actual name of the ship that was used in the movie. If anyone has this info. both my father and I would be grateful. He did a cruise down to the V.I. before going to war college, right before Korea,but just right after WW II. I understand we sold it to the Nat. Chinese(?).He had stated to me that it that the rust was the armor on it. LOL It was a PC stationed, when he was on board, at the Washington D.C. Navy yard. He did tell me that when they were on this cruise that a Destoryer was passing fuel to them and the whole ship was "like being on a roller coaster". They made down there, and back. In one piece!! LOL. Thanks,

HMCM(SS) M.F.Combs Jr. UDT/SEALS USN.(Ret)