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DramaWar

They Were Expendable

- A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!

After a demonstration of new PT boats, navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.

Release Date : 1945-12-07

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Robert Montgomery

Character Name : Lt. John Brickley

Original Name : Robert Montgomery

Gender : Male

John Wayne

Character Name : Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan

Original Name : John Wayne

Gender : Male

Donna Reed

Character Name : Lt. Sandy Davyss

Original Name : Donna Reed

Gender : Female

Jack Holt

Character Name : General Martin

Original Name : Jack Holt

Gender : Male

Ward Bond

Character Name : "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

Original Name : Ward Bond

Gender : Male

Marshall Thompson

Character Name : Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

Original Name : Marshall Thompson

Gender : Male

Paul Langton

Character Name : Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

Original Name : Paul Langton

Gender : Male

Leon Ames

Character Name : Major James Morton

Original Name : Leon Ames

Gender : Male

Arthur Walsh

Character Name : Seaman Jones

Original Name : Arthur Walsh

Gender : Male

Donald Curtis

Character Name : Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long

Original Name : Donald Curtis

Gender : Male

Cameron Mitchell

Character Name : Ens. George Cross

Original Name : Cameron Mitchell

Gender : Male

Louis Jean Heydt

Character Name : 'Ohio'

Original Name : Louis Jean Heydt

Gender : Male

Jeff York

Character Name : Ens. Tony Aiken

Original Name : Jeff York

Gender : Male

Murray Alper

Character Name : 'Slug' Mahan T.M. 1c

Original Name : Murray Alper

Gender : Male

Harry Tenbrook

Character Name : 'Squarehead' Larsen SC 2c

Original Name : Harry Tenbrook

Gender : Male

Jack Pennick

Character Name : 'Doc'

Original Name : Jack Pennick

Gender : Male

Alex Havier

Character Name : 'Benny' Lecoco ST 3c

Original Name : Alex Havier

Gender : Male

Charles Trowbridge

Character Name : Admiral Blackwell

Original Name : Charles Trowbridge

Gender : Male

Robert Barrat

Character Name : The General

Original Name : Robert Barrat

Gender : Male

Bruce Kellogg

Character Name : Elder Tompkins M.M. 2c

Original Name : Bruce Kellogg

Gender : Male

Tim Murdock

Character Name : Ens. Brant

Original Name : Tim Murdock

Gender : Male

Russell Simpson

Character Name : 'Dad' Knowland

Original Name : Russell Simpson

Gender : Male

Vernon Steele

Character Name : Army Doctor

Original Name : Vernon Steele

Gender : Male

Robert Emmett O'Connor

Character Name : Silver Dollar Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Emmett O'Connor

Gender : Male

Philip Ahn

Character Name : Army Orderly (uncredited)

Original Name : Philip Ahn

Gender : Male

Steve Barclay

Character Name : Naval Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Steve Barclay

Gender : Male

Betty Blythe

Character Name : Officer's Wife (uncredited)

Original Name : Betty Blythe

Gender : Female

Danny Borzage

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Danny Borzage

Gender : Male

Al Bridge

Character Name : Lieutenant Colonel (uncredited)

Original Name : Al Bridge

Gender : Male

George Bruggeman

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : George Bruggeman

Gender : Male

James Carlisle

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : James Carlisle

Gender : Male

Jack Carrington

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Carrington

Gender : Male

Bruce Carruthers

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Bruce Carruthers

Gender : Male

Tony Carson

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Tony Carson

Gender : Male

Jack Cheatham

Character Name : Commander (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Cheatham

Gender : Male

Fred Coby

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred Coby

Gender : Male

Roger Cole

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Roger Cole

Gender : Male

Jane Crowley

Character Name : Officer's Wife (uncredited)

Original Name : Jane Crowley

Gender : Female

Henry H. Daniels Jr.

Character Name : Sailor (uncredited)

Original Name : Henry H. Daniels Jr.

Gender : Male

William B. Davidson

Character Name : Hotel Manager (uncredited)

Original Name : William B. Davidson

Gender : Male

Marjorie Davies

Character Name : Nurse (uncredited)

Original Name : Marjorie Davies

Gender : Female

Larry Dods

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Larry Dods

Gender : Male

William 'Red' Donahue

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : William 'Red' Donahue

Gender : Male

Blake Edwards

Character Name : Boat Crewman (uncredited)

Original Name : Blake Edwards

Gender : Male

Frank Eldredge

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Eldredge

Gender : Male

John Epper

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : John Epper

Gender : Male

Jim Farley

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Jim Farley

Gender : Male

Charles Ferguson

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Ferguson

Gender : Male

Lee Tung Foo

Character Name : Asian Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : Lee Tung Foo

Gender : Male

Art Foster

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Art Foster

Gender : Male

Almeda Fowler

Character Name : Officer's Wife (uncredited)

Original Name : Almeda Fowler

Gender : Female

Mary Jane French

Character Name : Lost Nurse (uncredited)

Original Name : Mary Jane French

Gender : Female

Jon Gilbreath

Character Name : 'Snuffy' Submarine Commander (uncredited)

Original Name : Jon Gilbreath

Gender : Male

James Gonzalez

Character Name : Sailor (uncredited)

Original Name : James Gonzalez

Gender : Male

Duke Green

Character Name : PT-41 Boat Starboard Torpedoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Duke Green

Gender : Male

Sherry Hall

Character Name : Marine Major (uncredited)

Original Name : Sherry Hall

Gender : Male

Stuart Hall

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Stuart Hall

Gender : Male

Robert Homans

Character Name : Bartender at Manila Hotel (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Homans

Gender : Male

Michael Kirby

Character Name : Boat Crewman (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Kirby

Gender : Male

Michael Kostrick

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Kostrick

Gender : Male

Paul Kruger

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Kruger

Gender : Male

Stubby Kruger

Character Name : Boat Crewman (uncredited)

Original Name : Stubby Kruger

Gender : Male

Jack Lee

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Lee

Gender : Male

Jack Lorenz

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Lorenz

Gender : Male

Leota Lorraine

Character Name : Officer's Wife (uncredited)

Original Name : Leota Lorraine

Gender : Female

Jack Luden

Character Name : Naval Air Captain (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Luden

Gender : Male

James Magill

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : James Magill

Gender : Male

George Magrill

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : George Magrill

Gender : Male

Eve March

Character Name : Nurse (uncredited)

Original Name : Eve March

Gender : Female

Maurice Marks

Character Name : Soldier (uncredited)

Original Name : Maurice Marks

Gender : Male

Kermit Maynard

Character Name : Airport Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Kermit Maynard

Gender : Male

Merrill McCormick

Character Name : Wounded Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Merrill McCormick

Gender : Male

Frank McGrath

Character Name : 'Slim' - Bearded CPO (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank McGrath

Gender : Male

Leonard Mellin

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Leonard Mellin

Gender : Male

Robert Milasch

Character Name : Minor Role (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Milasch

Gender : Male

Henry Mirelez

Character Name : Filipino Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Henry Mirelez

Gender : Male

Jack Mower

Character Name : Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Mower

Gender : Male

Charles Murray Jr.

Character Name : Jeep Driver (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Murray Jr.

Gender : Male

Forbes Murray

Character Name : Navy Captain (uncredited)

Original Name : Forbes Murray

Gender : Male

Bill Neff

Character Name : Submarine Skipper / Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Bill Neff

Gender : Male

Bill Nind

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Bill Nind

Gender : Male

Wedgwood Nowell

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Wedgwood Nowell

Gender : Male

Franklin Parker

Character Name : Naval Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Franklin Parker

Gender : Male

Frank Pershing

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Pershing

Gender : Male

Nino Pipitone Jr.

Character Name : Bartender's Child (uncredited)

Original Name : Nino Pipitone Jr.

Gender : Male

Dan Quigg

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Dan Quigg

Gender : Male

Joey Ray

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Joey Ray

Gender : Male

William McKeever Riley

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : William McKeever Riley

Gender : Male

Jack Ross

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Ross

Gender : Male

John Roy

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : John Roy

Gender : Male

Harold Schlickenmayer

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Harold Schlickenmayer

Gender : Male

Phil Schumacher

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Phil Schumacher

Gender : Male

Jack Semple

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Semple

Gender : Male

Sam Simone

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Sam Simone

Gender : Male

Reginald Simpson

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Reginald Simpson

Gender : Male

Leslie Sketchley

Character Name : Marine Orderly (uncredited)

Original Name : Leslie Sketchley

Gender : Male

Ralph Soncuya

Character Name : Filipino Orderly (uncredited)

Original Name : Ralph Soncuya

Gender : Male

Larry Steers

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Larry Steers

Gender : Male

Sammy Stein

Character Name : Sammy - Boat Crewman (uncredited)

Original Name : Sammy Stein

Gender : Male

Jack Stoney

Character Name : Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Stoney

Gender : Male

Robert Strong

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Strong

Gender : Male

Bob Thom

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Bob Thom

Gender : Male

Richard Thorne

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Thorne

Gender : Male

Brad Towne

Character Name : Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Brad Towne

Gender : Male

Jack Trent

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Trent

Gender : Male

Tom Tyler

Character Name : Captain at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Tom Tyler

Gender : Male

Emmett Vogan

Character Name : Naval Doctor (uncredited)

Original Name : Emmett Vogan

Gender : Male

Eleanore Vogel

Character Name : Officer's Wife (uncredited)

Original Name : Eleanore Vogel

Gender : Female

Hansel Warner

Character Name : Officer at Airport (uncredited)

Original Name : Hansel Warner

Gender : Male

Billy Wilkerson

Character Name : Sgt. Smith (uncredited)

Original Name : Billy Wilkerson

Gender : Male

Roque Ybarra Jr.

Character Name : Bartender's Child (uncredited)

Original Name : Roque Ybarra Jr.

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-08-17

"Brick" (Robert Montgomery) is an US Navy lieutenant desperate to prove that his motorised torpedo boats can do more for the war effort than deliver the mail. Luckily, he's got "Rusty" (John Wayne) as his number two and plenty of opportunity to test their theories against the advancing Japanese as with things looking terrible for the Americans in Manila, they have their work cut out for them. Even though things are relentless and perilous, "Rusty" still finds time for a little romance with nurse "Sandy" (Donna Reed) and we've also got Ward Bond and a lively few scenes from "Dad" (Russell Simpson) to help keep the adventure focused. The film was co-written by "Spig" Wead - a man whom Wayne played in another John Ford feature "The Wings of Eagles" (1957) - so the narrative has a degree of authenticity as their forces are forced to retreat towards Australia. There are also some decent visual effects with plenty of action, (not so) near misses as Ford allows his three stars to tell this story in a far less jingoistic fashion than some of the more propagandist efforts made to bolster public support during WWII. Wayne turns on the charm here - with Reed and with the audience, and this works well.