Away All Boats (1956)

The story of a U.S. naval ship and its crew in the Pacific, 1943-1945.

Director:

Joseph Pevney

Writers:

Ted Sherdeman (screenplay), Kenneth M. Dodson (from the novel by)

Stars:

Jeff Chandler, George Nader, Lex Barker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Chandler	...	Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks
George Nader	...	Lt. Dave MacDougall
Lex Barker	...	Cmdr. Quigley
Julie Adams	...	Nadine MacDougall
Keith Andes	...	Dr. Bell
Richard Boone	...	Lt. Fraser
William Reynolds	...	Ens. Kruger
Charles McGraw	...	Lt. Mike O'Bannion
Jock Mahoney	...	Alvick
John McIntire	...	Old Man / Film Intro Voice-over
Frank Faylen	...	Chief Phillip P. 'Pappy' Moran
James Westerfield	...	'Boats' Torgeson
Don Keefer	...	Ens. Twitchell
Kendall Clark	...	Lt. Jackson
George Dunn	...	Hubert

Storyline

The story of USS 'Belinda', Attack Transport PA22, launched late 1943 with regular-navy captain Hawks and ex-merchant captain MacDougall as boat commander. Despite personal friction, the two have plenty to deal with as the only experienced officers on board during the "shakedown." Almost laughable incompetence gradually improves, but the crew remains far from perfect when the ship sees action, landing troops on enemy beachheads. And few anticipate the challenges in store at Okinawa...

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Plot Keywords:

pacific | naval battle | u.s. navy | world war two | beachhead | 

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Taglines:

Exciting, inspiring story of battle action in Pacific Theater

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Away All Boats

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,500,000, 31 December 1956

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film started in black-and-white, then switched to color just before the beach landing.

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Goofs

At about 1.28 during the final battle a crew member holding a cable is seen behind Captain Hawks.

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Quotes

Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: [at a Kamikaze about to crash into the Belinda] Get away from my ship! GET YOUR FILTHY PLANE AWAY FROM MY SHIP!

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Connections

Edited into Midway (1976)

User Reviews

One of the best

One of the best WW2 films. There are several reasons why I rate this as only just below the top notch WW2 films. The special effects for the period are excellent, particularly during the kamikaze attacks. You only need to look back to WW2 films from a few years before this (They Were Expendable, Guadalcanal Diary etc) to see the advances that were made in special effects over a short period. The fact that it is not based on one of the more high profile naval vessels such as aircraft carrier, submarine, battleship is also a bonus. The purpose of the transport ships was to land the troops safely at a given point at a given time. They were not glamorous but were critical to the success of island hopping in WW2. The film also shows human frailties as well as strengths such as incompetence, poor officers, even cowardice is hinted at.

The story develops well, and shows the moulding together of a crew to become an effective fighting force. How realistic it is I don't know, but it looks good on film. The fact that there are several character actors well known at the time such as Richard Boone is a bonus.

Some of the scenes are a bit over the top and detract slightly from the quality, but I think this is pretty typical of films from this era. Not sure the scenes between George Nader and Julie Adams add much to the film, but I suppose they do demonstrate that many of the crew were family men and that sacrifices were made by all, not just those directly involved in the war.

Altogether very good though, and a film I shall enjoy watching frequently.