semperfijack Reviews

Pride of the Marines (1945)

Why isn't this movie on VHS or DVD?

[27 December 2003]

This was one of the better or best WWII movies of its time. It hasn't been shown on TV in quite a while and am wondering why. John Garfield was perfect as Al Schmid, the blinded hero of Guadalcanal. The action sequence of him holding off a superior Japanese force with a machine gun was spellbinding. He was awarded the Navy Cross although I thought he should have gotten the Medal of Honor. Why isn't this movie on VHS or DVD? He was one of the real heroes of the Pacific war and his story should be available to today's generation. Instead we were bombarded by the media of Pvt Jessica Lynch who never even fired her weapon at anyone and came home a hero. Where is the justice?

'Gung Ho!': The Story of Carlson's Makin Island Raiders (1943)

Politically Correct?

[12 December 2003]

I first saw this film as a kid during WWII. My older brother was a Marine in the South Pacific at the time, and my father took the whole family to see it. About the second or third time I've seen this morale booster I noticed one glaring mistake. Actor Sam Levene plays the role of "Transport" in the film. He is an old friend of Col. Thorwald (Randolph Scott) Levene is shown entering an office as a Staff Sergeant(3 stripes up and one rocker underneath) In the very next scene he has lost the rocker stripe and is now a buck sergeant. What happened to the continuity director on this film? Otherwise the film is typical WWII fare at the time. The use of the word "JAP" is used numerously throught the movie, a sign of the hatred of Japan at that time. In WWII movies since, you rarely hear the term "JAP". They're either referred to as the Japanese or the enemy - politically correct nowadays. Of course I joined the Marines during the Korean War following in my brother's footsteps. We referred to the Chinese Communists as "Gooks", also politically incorrect. I wonder what the military calls the Iraqis during the present conflict. Just a thought.

'Gung Ho!': The Story of Carlson's Makin Island Raiders (1943)

What happened to the "continuity director?"

[15 December 2002]

A good war film made during the height of WWII. Good battle sequences for its time and accurate portayals of Gung-Ho marines. However, check out a scene near the beginning of the movie when Sam Levine exits a jeep as a staff sergeant(3 stripes above, 1 rocker below) and enters a building as a buck sergeant(three stripes only) All you former marines know what I mean. How did he get demoted in 2 seconds? Fire the continuity director! Gung Ho was a stepping stone for future stars like Robert Mithcum and J. Carroll Naish. Also Milburn Stone who went on to play Doc Adams in TV's Gunsmoke.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

A true classic

[6 June 2002]

This picture made 55 years ago still holds up today. With Hollywood running out of plot lines, they are going back to remakes. I doubt that they could improve on this original. Walter Huston deserved every bit of his supporting role Academy Award, but I think that Alphonse Bedoya (Gold Hat) should have also been nominated. He stole the picture with his "We don't need no stinkin' badges" line which has since become a classic. There was no sex, no profanity and little violence in "Treasure" (a no-no in 1948), but you got the point. Hunting for gold will bring out the best and worst in people. Great score by Max Steiner enhances the action.

One Minute to Zero (1952)

Bad film; good music

[3 June 2002]

The one good thing about this so-so Korean war film is the music score by Victor Young. It features the great romantic song "When I Fall in Love" Although not sung in the film (therefore not Academy Award nominated) it was recorded by Nat "King" Cole and others. Cole's is the best and is featured on many of his albums.

Winged Victory (1944)

Saw this as a kid during WWII. Why isn't it out on video?

[23 March 2002]

I saw this film as a 10 year old in Wash. D.C. during the war. I was very impressed with it to the point that I wanted to go and sign up for the Army Air Corps right then. I have yet to see it since. The film was a stepping stone for some future Hollywood stars such as Lee. J. Cobb, Red Buttons, Don Taylor, Jeanne Crain & Edmond O'Brien. I hope whatever legal hassle is holding up the release of the video will be settled before I die. This is a great film for today's youth especially in this present time of war.