They Were Expendable (1945)

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They Were Expendable (1945)

Post by bunniefuu »

All boats from Brick.
All boats from Brick.

Make 'em look good. This is the first time
they've seen PT boats.

All boats from Brick.

All boats from Brick. Nice going.

Brick from Rusty.
That ought to show them.

They maneuver beautifully, sir.

-You have a splendid-looking lot of men.
-Thank you, sir.

Gentlemen, we're late.

Those boats of yours maneuver beautifully.

But in wartime, I'm afraid,
I prefer something more substantial.

It's wonderful the way

people believe in those high-powered
canoes of yours.

Don't you believe in them, Rusty?

And I let you sell me that stuff
about a command of my own.

You're skipper of the 34 boat, aren't you?

I used to skipper a cake of soap
in a bathtub, too.

Secure from inspection.

Dismissed !

- Nice show today, fellas.
- Oh, thank you.

-Lieutenant.
-Thank you very much, good evening.

Oh, hey, I'd like you to meet a
couple of boat skippers in our squadron.

This is Lieutenant Shorty Long,
Lieutenant Lefty Aiken.

Hey! Excuse me. Hey, what the...

-Hi.
-Hello, Skipper.

I want you to meet Andy Andrews.

He just reported to the squadron.
Shorty Long.

-Happy to know you.
-Thank you.

-Lefty Aiken.
-Howdy.

-Hi.
-Where's Rusty?

Looks like he's doing his paperwork.

Oh.

-Andy.
-Hello, Rusty.

Lefty said you checked in. How you been?

-What will it be?
-Fine. Beer.

Figuring your income tax?

No, I had to work out a smooth line

to convince the admiral
I belong on a destroyer.

So, you're really quitting
the squadron, eh, Rusty, huh?

Can't build a Navy reputation
riding a plywood dream.

What are you aiming at?
Building a reputation?

Or playing for the team?

Look, Brick, for years,
I've been taking your fatherly advice

and it's never been very good.

From here on in, I'm a one-man band.

Okay, send in your request,
I'll forward it.

How about a beer, Rusty?

Five San Miguels.

Nice music.

Hey, Doc!

Small beer! Small beer! Very small beer!

Milk! Sarsaparilla! Sarsaparilla!

Ginger ale.

Paint varnish and dash of red peppers.

Gentlemen, I want absolute silence.

Boats here has a little speech to make.

I'm not going to make a speech.

Just got something to say.

Tomorrow, our old pal Doc here
is going out.

He's being paid off after 30 years.

I know most of you kids
got a long ways to go

before you find out
what 30 years in the Navy means.

It means service. Tough and good.

It means serving your country
in peace and in w*r.

So, let's raise our glass--

We wish to interrupt this program

for an important announcement.

This morning,
the Sunday calm of Pearl Harbor--

Ah, cut that thing off, will ya?

So, let's raise our glasses
and drink to Doc

with all the solemnity
that this occasion demands.

To Doc.

Sorry to have to interrupt you.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have a very important
announcement to make.

This is official.

The Japanese have att*cked Pearl Harbor.

There are no details.

All Army and Navy personnel
must report to their posts immediately.

I repeat, all Army and Navy personnel
must report to their posts immediately.

Let's go, Rusty.

Hey!

Didn't you forget something?

Hold it.

I don't know,
I'm just doing what I'm told.

Any hot dope, Whitey?

Nothing yet, Brick.

I suggest...

Patrols.
That's probably where they'll attack.

- Carry on.
- We'll do our best, sir.

-This just came in, sir.
-Thanks.

Cheers.

Gentlemen, you may assume
that a state of w*r exists

between the United States
and the Empire of Japan.

Govern yourselves accordingly.

My compliments, gentlemen.

-Here are the orders.
-Yes, sir.

Psst. Psst.

Hey, Hooley.

Yeah?

Got anything for us?

What do you call that outfit again?

Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3.

We haven't any orders for you now.
But maybe tomorrow.

What do you want us to do?
Sit on our duffs?

I'll ask the old man. Stand by.

Have one boat patrol the bay
and one stand by for messenger duty.

All boats fueled.

Torpedoes will be loaded
within a half-hour.

-Any dope?
-Our orders are to stand by.

Boy, those destroyers aren't standing by.

They went down that channel
like a rat race.

Somebody might have
given them orders to go.

You got 20 boxes of 50-caliber there.

Give 12 to Lefty.

Now hear this.

- Unidentified aircraft approaches Cavite.

Unidentified aircraft approaching Cavite.

Those are Jap planes.

Headed this way, Brick.

All boats, out in the bay.

Follow me, and stand by for signals.

- What's that, another drill?
- Can't be a drill.

That's all we get in this navy,
is drill, drill, drill.

Fire in the paint locker!

One formation. Breaking off.
Heading up our way, sir.

Stand by to disperse.

All boats from 41. All boats from 41.
Stand by for scatter plan.

Stand by for scatter plan.

-t*nk 'em, Smokey.
-Aye, sir.

-Scatter plan Baker.
-Scatter plan Baker. Scatter plan Baker.

-Execute. Execute!
-Execute. Execute!

Good sh**ting, Smokey. Recognize him?

Know him well. Shaved his father.

Get him, Junior!

All boats from 41.

All boats from 41.

Return to base. Return to base.

Pretty rugged, isn't it?

Let's go, Rusty.

We've checked everything, sir.
The storeroom's completely gone.

No torpedoes, no motors,
no spare parts, no nothing.

Wonder if they have any torpedoes
at Corregidor.

-Might be.
-I'll check on it.

-Hi.
-Hi.

A little rugged, wasn't it?

Yes, sir.

You got wet clothes on
underneath that blanket?

No, sir. Just scared.

You haven't got a monopoly on that.

What are you looking at, Cookie?

Just looking for the Arizona
to come steaming up to base, sir.

With her 14-inch g*ns blazing
and the best cook stoves in the Navy.

-Arizona, eh?
-Yes, sir.

Arizona.

Arizona, sir?

Some of the Army boys just told us

a big Jap task force
is headed for Lingayen Gulf.

-Army planes spotted it at sunset.
-Must be another landing.

Lingayen?

Give me those scissors, Doc.

That's only about 200 miles from here.

Two thirty-five.

Why don't we knock those babies off?

What with? A cake of soap and a bathtub?
Give me that pencil.

Mr. Brickley, the admiral, sir.
Right away.

Check your gasoline.

Feel better?

Take over.

Line up your engines,
check all boats for sea.

-Step on it, men.
-Fire in the paint locker!

-Yes?
-Brickley.

Mr. Brickley, sir.

You sent for me, sir?

Yes, get a boat ready
to move my staff to Corregidor.

Aye, aye, sir.

You'll run daily messenger trips
between Manila and the Rock.

Work out a schedule
with the Chief of Staff.

Aye, aye, sir.

Cavite is finished as a base.

Move your outfit to Sisiman Cove
on Bataan.

Is that all, sir?

That's all.

Is there any truth in the rumor
that a Jap task force

is moving into Lingayen Gulf, sir?

-Type that and send it.
-Aye, sir.

Sit down, Brickley.

That task force will land.

You and I can't stop it.

Pearl Harbor was a disaster,
like the Spanish Armada.

Listen, son, you and I are professionals.

If the manager says, "Sacrifice,"

we lay down a bunt
and let somebody else hit the home runs.

We know all about those destroyers,
out of commission,

tied up around San Diego.

We could use them here,
but they're not around.

They won't be.
Our job is to lay down that sacrifice.

That's what we were trained for.
And that's what we'll do.

Understand?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

All set, sir.

-Secure your boats.
-Secure their boats?

Shorty, take the admiral
and his staff to Corregidor.

Lefty, you stand by to run
a messenger trip daily at 9:00.

The rest of you,
take your boats to Sisiman Cove.

You join us there.

Aye, aye, sir.

Are you kidding, Brick?

"Theirs not to reason why.
Theirs but to do--"

And die.

And I don't want to be bored to death
running messages.

I'll see that you get
the more intriguing ones.

Does that help?

Yes!

Any chow, Brick?

Razor blades and toothpaste.

-That's a swell diet.
-What's the dope, Skipper?

Bunch of Jap transports landed up north.
They're giving Bataan the works.

-Good morning, sir. Any dope?
-No dope.

-Good morning, sir.
-Good morning.

Sir, telephone message just came in
and Admiral Blackwell wishes to see you

on the Rock immediately. Very urgent, sir.

-Thank you.
-Yes, sir.

Probably wants us to carry a message
to Garcia.

- Cross, stand by with that 41 boat.
- Aye, aye, sir.

Let's use those razor blades.

Ah, Chief, I'd like to have you keep
sanitary precautions at all times.

I'd like to have you dig a big hole
over there, you know,

to put the garbage in and what have you.

Keep these pots and pans scrubbed.
Don't let anything get dirty.

Don't put anything in the bay,
whatever you do.

Holy smokes, cook. You call that soup?

No, sir. That's dishwater.

-Yeah, well...
-Yes, sir.

Ensigns.

I suppose you gentlemen
are getting pretty tired of all this

routine messenger and patrol duty.

-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.

I know you're anxious to prove your theory
of the motor torpedo boat.

Well, as you know,

the Japs have Subic Bay.

They've got a cruiser at Port Binanga,
shelling our positions on Bataan.

We've either got to sink her,
or pull out our troops.

Corregidor, Sisiman Cove, Subic.

The lines are here.

The Jap minefields, here.

Their cruiser, there.

Yes, sir.

Sink her.

Excuse me, sir, may I borrow that?

I think one boat, don't you, Mr. Ryan?

No, I think two boats, Mr. Brickley.

Two boats, sir.

Shove off at dusk.

- Good evening, gentlemen.
- Good evening, sir.

We haven't got enough steel helmets
to go around, so,

issue them to your gunners
and torpedo men.

I repeat again.

Do not open up on your radios until you
are sure that they've spotted you.

Use your 50-calibers to try
and knock out the searchlights.

You said there'd be two boats, Skipper.
Whose is the second one?

Rusty with the 34 boat.

That's all.
Oh, we'll shove off at about 1800.

I'll regulate the speed, so that we'll

reach the end of this leg here
in darkness.

All right, Andy.

All right, let's go, Mahan.

-Sir?
-Yes?

Oh... Nothing, nothing.

-Sir?
-Not a chance, Shorty.

Copy that in longhand and give it to Andy
on the 34 boat.

Yes, sir.

Eager beavers.

What's the matter with us, sir?
We have the best boat in the outfit.

And my boat's
the fastest one in the water.

-17:30.
-Aye, sir.

Doc, will you take a look at this finger?

Aye, aye, sir.

Fellas,

we finally got the green light.

To sink one of them Jap cruisers
in Subic Bay.

Through those Jap mines, a*tillery,
and past them patrol boats.

One of our boats ought to get back.

Any of you guys not on time,
don't get to go.

All right, Shakespeare.

You got blood poison, cleared the elbow.
You belong in a hospital with that arm.

I'll go to the hospital when I get back.

If you don't wanna lose that arm,
you better go now.

Put some iodine on it and wrap it up.

Look, Doc, do me a favor.
Keep your mouth shut about it, will you?

Don't forget to put a pinch of salt
in that pancake batter.

-Yeah.
-And you'll find a can of jam

under my bunk. Get me that.

All set, Rusty.

-Your arm all right?
-Oh, sure.

Everything's ready, sir.

Okay, Slug, relax until time to shove off.

Hey, Rusty.

Let me see that arm.

You're going to the sick bay, fella.

You aren't afraid of a little competition,
are you, Brick?

Shorty, the 31 boat will go
instead of the 34. Get her ready.

No kidding? Aye, aye, sir.

I'm not gonna lose a good exec
just 'cause you're out of your head.

Secure the boat.

Mulcahey.

For two bits,
I'd punch you right in the mush.

-You know the score?
-Right.

And have your torpedo men stand by
in case those circuits fail.

Right.

-Wind them up.
-Wind them up.

Come on.

Let's go, Good Luck.

Corpsman ! Corpsman !

This is a hospital.
Why don't you hire a hall?

Take off your hat.

It's just a little cut along the finger.
I don't--

Shirts are hard to get out here.

So are artificial arms.

Anchors aweigh.

You've got a temperature
a little over 103.

Chew these sulfa pills.

-What is this? Shrapnel?
-Yes, sir.

-Where'd you get it?
-Cavite.

It doesn't hurt.

Doesn't hurt, eh?

Did you ever hear of blood poisoning?

If you'd been a few hours later,
I'd have had to take that arm off.

Headquarters called. Casualties arriving
from Bataan in two hours.

-How many?
-Over 200.

Double deckers. Try and get some rest.

We've got work to do.
That young man is sick.

Get his temperature down if you can
and get him to sleep.

-Take a few minutes yourself.
-Yes, sir.

You better lie down and take it easy.
You've got a temperature of 103.

So I've heard.

You Navy boys always
run about two degrees above normal.

-Must be that time you spend at sea.
-What is your rank?

-Second lieutenant.
-Well, I'm a J.G. , so watch your language.

Oh...

I thought you were a motorcycle cop.

Despite your gold braid, you don't tell
us, we tell you. So, lie down.

Unfasten your pants.

-What?
-Unfasten your pants.

Unfasten your pants.

Come right a little.

Right a little.

This should be the minefields now, sir.

Left a little.

Left easy.

Steady as she goes.

-Any sign of Long's boat?
-Don't see him, sir.

-What's the matter, Chief? What happened?
-This gas has been loaded with wax.

It's been sabotaged.

-How long will it take to get it started?
-About 40 minutes. Easy.

-Hurry it all you can.
-Yes, sir.

-Forty-minute job.
-They're trying to pick us up.

Get that light!

Abandon ship! Abandon ship!

The shore batteries got the 31 boat, sir.

Stand by your torpedo tubes.

Stand by!

Fire one!

Fire two!

-Well, Cookie, we did it.
-Did what?

Been someplace?

Say, we blew that Jap cruiser
clear into next month.

Oh, recently? Pick up any chow?

Oh, I forgot to tell you, Mick,
your laundry's drying. Came out swell.

You guys were late for breakfast,
too. It was wonderful.

Yeah, cupcakes with raisins.

Listen, bigmouth,

that ship was a big converted job
with eight-inch g*ns.

And we blew her into kingdom come.

Tompkins.

-How?
-Machine g*n in the belly.

Yes, and we lost the 31 boat, too.

Our club on Bataan took
another rap on the chin last night.

Where is that navy of yours, anyway?

On Central Park Lake?

They'll be along.

We won't see them till Christmas.

By then, the Air Force
will have won the w*r, I suppose?

Only, where is the Air Force?

Enemy aircraft approaching.

Secure all ventilators and bulkheads.

Repeat. Enemy aircraft approaching.

Secure all ventilators and bulkheads.

That's a nice kind of a gal
to have around in wartime.

Or anytime.

She's kind of cute, too.

Eleven thousand guys can't be wrong.

Hey.

Pretty tough, huh?

Why don't you gals go on
and get some rest?

-Don't think we won't.
-How about it?

Going to ask tall, dark and obnoxious?

Got to look pretty for that dance tonight.

How's the arm?

- Okay.
- Good.

Would you like to go to a dance?

Listen, sister, I don't dance.
And I can't take time out now to learn.

All I want to do is get out of here.

Now wait a minute, Ohio,
before you start popping off.

I don't care if they dance their dogs off.

Be reasonable, fella.
Those gals need relaxation.

Something to remind them they're women.

Sure. They're not gonna
remind me of anything.

All uglied up in those potato bags.

-Hello.
-Hello.

Nice party.

Well, now that you're here,
why don't you stay a while?

Oh, no, I just came over to thank you for,

you know, sewing up my shirt. I, uh...

But you do dance, don't you?

-Good evening, Mr. Ryan.
-Good evening, Mr. Ryan.

Hello.

You think you better put that arm
back in that sling?

You might use it someday.

For plowing or cutting out paper dolls.

Why the eager interest?

Professional?

It's rather like back home, isn't it?

The porch. Hammock.

Fireflies.

-Where?
-Iowa.

Oh.

- You know, tall corn.

-Where?
-Upper York state.

You know, apples.

Those g*n flashes look like fireflies.

Every night, they come a little closer.

Hello, Rusty.

Sandy, this is Lieutenant Brickley.
Miss Davyss.

-How do you do?
-Hello.

Nice party?

Swell.

- That big lug dance?
- Wonderful.

Only stepped on her foot once.

What's up?

It can wait.

Go ahead.

Andy did a pretty good job on the cruiser.

All we've got left is Gardner.

-He's such a young kid for that.
-It's a tricky duty.

Why not?

Okay.

Sandy.

Just how bad is that hand?

The finger is open to the bone.
And there's still infection there.

Let's go talk to the doctor.

-Is it healing?
-Yes.

Come on, Brick,
help me pour the heat on.

Rusty!

How'd it go?
Did you lose anyone?

No, sir.

Mr. Ryan picked us up beautifully.

I'm sorry, sir,

I'd rather have lost my right arm
than the 33 boat.

Couldn't be helped.

Paid off.

Yes, sir.

Thanks.

Andy got a 7.7 through both handcuffs.

Oh?

Snake!

Yes, sir?

You take Andy's place on the 34 boat.

Aye, aye, sir.

That's tough luck, Andy.

How're they feeling now?

They don't.

You give us the word
if you need anything.

Sure.

We'll be over to see you.

The job is yours again
the minute you can take it.

I'll give you the nudge...
About next week.

Wind 'em up.

You'd never saw nothin' like it.

Did we blow that Nip out of the water.

Two fish right in the gut.

Get this, Mick.
We started to run like this.

-Then we come--
-We had cupcakes for breakfast.

With raisins.

-Hi.
-Hi.

Glad to see you aboard,
Miss Davyss.

Thank you, good evening.

Gentlemen, I would like to present
Mr. Ryan's guest, Miss Davyss.

- Good evening.
- Good evening, gentlemen.

This is a...

Wait. Wait just a minute.

Mr. Long.

It's a pleasure to have you here.

Thank you.

-Mr. Aiken.
-How do you do?

How do you do?

-Mr. Gardner.
-How do you do?

-Hello.
-Nice having you here.

-Thank you.
-And Mr. Cross.

-Very happy to know you.
-How do you do?

-Good evening, miss.
-Good evening.

-Dinner is served, sir.
-Thank you.

Uh, will you take my place
at the head of the table?

Miss Davyss took care of Rusty
when he was in the hospital at Corregidor.

She's now attached to the field hospital
at Bataan Peninsula.

You mean there are nurses over here
on Bataan?

A few.

Wasn't it mean enough
for you in Corregidor

without sending you girls over here?

Well, I asked for it.

You see, over here, I can talk to Rusty
once in a while on the telephone.

Rusty?
Well, by George, we're neighbors now.

Next time, you'll have to bring
some of the other girls with you.

We'll have a dance, or something.

Be a good idea.

This is a lovely party. It's swell.

Thanks.

-Benny.
-Yes, sir?

Thank you.

Soup.

Hot.

Biscuits, very good.

Oh, thank you.

Real jam, sir.

Soup, biscuits, jam.
I still say it's a swell party.

Now all we need is an orchestra
and a floor show.

Miss Davyss, you're in
for the biggest surprise of your life.

Terrific! Wonderful !

If you'll excuse me, I've got
quite a lot of checking to do.

Surely.

Thank you very much for coming over.

It meant a great deal to all of us.

-Good night, Sandy.
-Good night.

Me, too. Could I call you "Sandy"?

-Sure.
-Well, good night.

-Good night.
-Thanks.

-Good night, Sandy.
-Good night.

-Good night, Sandy.
-Good night.

Well,

I don't know
when I've had such a nice time.

Good night.

And don't forget now, you know,
we're neighbors and everything.

-Good night.
-Night, Rusty.

Night.

How's the chow?

-Great.
-Great.

Boy, if I had you on the old Arizona,

I'd make a pot roast
that would make your hair curl.

Crying?

I'm not crying.

Oh, it...

It's just that they're
such nice guys.

You aren't kidding.

Mr. Brickley and Mr. Ryan.

Confidentially, Brickley,

the President has ordered me
and certain key personnel to Australia.

Your boats will take us to Mindanao.

From there,
an Army bomber will fly us south.

Do you want to use
all four of the boats, sir?

Yes. Get them ready.

This is secret.

Repeat. Secret.

You'll get the date when it's set.

Aye, aye, sir.

Just a minute.

I think you'll find all the charts
you need.

I'm sure you know
things are not going well with us up here.

We get the news, sir.

We're scraping up all the men we can find
to form a naval battalion.

Can you spare any men?

We have two extra crew, sir.

I could use them, Brickley.

Yes, sir.

We're going to run south
600 miles.

There's bad weather out there.
It'll be rough going.

If any boat breaks down,
we'll just have to let her go.

Expendable.

You know what that means.

First night's run,

Cuyo Islands.

Hole up there during the day.

Second night's run,

to Cagayan on Mindanao.

We still hold the airfield there,

but the Japs are moving pretty fast

and it's a question
of how long we can hang on to it.

Approach every landfall with caution.
And be prepared to fight or run for it.

But remember, your primary duty
is to get these people out.

Rusty will take the Admiral
on the 34 boat.

And I'll take the army personnel with me.

We'll shove off at 2100.

Motor whaleboat ready?

Whenever you are, sir.

Brick, could Mulcahey
take over the duty for me?

I'd like to go along and see Andy.

Yeah, sure.

We'll shove off at 2100.

Easy does it. Bring those boards up.

These drums will go overboard
on the first sea we hit.

Now cross lash them.
Put 'em on right and tight.

That's exactly
what I've been telling them, sir.

Now, let's do it the way
the Captain and I want it done.

We can take all we got, sir.

How's Mr. Andrews?

Doctor says he's good
for about eight or nine days.

Rusty!

-Will you give him my aloha for me, sir?
-Yeah.

-Lieutenant Brickley.
-Yeah.

Just for about two minutes.

Be cheerful and, you know,
give him the old one-two-three.

Yes, ma'am.

Hiya, Brick.

Hello, fellas.

-Hi, Andy.
-Hiya, fella.

How are you feeling?

What is this?

- A PT boat convention?

It's good to see you, fella.

Oh, you look swell, Andy.

When are you going to quit stalling
and get back to work?

- Oh, any day now.

Hey, how's the chow
in this hotel, anyway, huh?

Wonderful.

- Squab.

Say, Mulcahey and Mahan said to say hello.

-So does Cookie.
-The whole g*ng.

-How's the 34 boat?
-Fine.

I suppose Snake's been botching up my job.

Well, he's no Andrews.

Oh, say, I got some cigarettes here.
Go on, have some.

-Oh, thanks.
-No, no.

We're keeping him in condition.

He's trying to take your place.

- Trying to is right.

Uh, we got a patrol to get ready for.

Job's yours any time you can make it.

-Thanks.
-So long, Andy.

-Take it easy.
-Take care, Andy.

So long.

Say, Skipper...

Sit down, Brick.

That was a nice act you boys put on.

How did you get the word?

Scuttlebutt.

Say, Brick...

Here, I'll get it for you.

If you get through, mail these, will you?

Sure, if there's any mail.

One to Mother.

One to Myra.

You know, she's at Lockheed.

Yeah.

I wrote out a will, too.

That was a pretty good act
you put on yourself.

Any unfinished business that
you want me to take care of for you?

Anything particular that you'd like
to have me say to your folks,

or to Myra?

I guess I've written
about all I had to say, Brick.

Sorry I couldn't do more for the squadron.

Hello.

Isn't there anybody on duty there?

Give me the field hospital.

This is Lieutenant Ryan speaking, Navy.

I want to talk to one of your nurses,
Lieutenant Davyss.

Sandy Davyss.

I don't know her first name.

Sandy. Sandy Davyss.

Hello.

Oh, what's the use?

Here. Take it easy.

- You've got plenty of time.

Keep trying.

-Bring that sign.
-Yes, sir.

Ten-hut!

At ease.

You're a swell bunch.

I'm glad to have been
able to serve with you.

I'd like to be able to tell you
that we were going out to bring back help.

That wouldn't be the truth.

We're going down the line to do a job.

You are going to Bataan with the Army.

That isn't what you've been trained for.

But they need your help.

You older men

with longer service records,

take care of the kids.

Maybe...

That's all.

God bless you.

- Ryan speaking.
- Hello, Rusty.

Hello, Sandy.

Is the 15th all right with you?

No, it isn't, Sandy.

Would the 16th be better?

Nothing would be better.

Well, what is this, anyway?

I guess it's goodbye.

Oh.

Can you tell me where you're going?

I wish I could.

Are you coming back?

I'm not sure.

But I don't think so.

Well, this is really goodbye, then.

It's been awfully nice, hasn't it?

It's been swell.

Look, Sandy, I'm no good at talk.

I've written you a letter.
Shorty Long will get it to you.

Sorry, miss. We got to take this out.
We're moving south.

Hello? Hello? Operator?

You cut us off.

A couple of generals?
Couldn't they wait till we were through?

Motor whaleboat
coming alongside, sir.

Hello. Hello, put Miss Davyss
back on the line.

Hello!

Operator, what's gone wrong
with this line?

Gone dead.

That's tough, sir.

Hope what those generals had to say
was important.

-So long, Doc.
-Goodbye, sir.

-So long, Willie.
-Bye, sir.

-Be a good kid.
-Yes, sir.

-So long, Slim.
-So long.

-Shalom aleichem, Sammy.
-Same to you, baby.

-So long, Phil.
-You're in the Army now.

Go on and get your feet wet, kid.

-Ready, Brickley?
-Ready, sir.

Sir, please autograph my hat.

Why, certainly.

Good evening, sir.

Ready, Ryan.

Wind 'em up.

So long, Bad Luck. Scat.

Fall in.

Right face.

Ground step.

Forward march !

Well, on time.

Only three boats.

Must have lost one.

Orders, sir?

The squadron will work down here
under General Martin.

Yes, sir.

We've got
quite a few men at Bataan, sir,

I'd like permission to go back
and pick them up.

You've done
all you can up there, Brickley.

Yes, sir.

Uh, what about aviation gasoline, sir?

We'll try to find everything
that you need.

What about torpedoes, sir?

There may be some at Cebu. I'll enquire.

We've got to have aviation gas
and torpedoes, sir.

I realize that.

We'll keep you informed
as to enemy activity.

Plan your own operations
against their ships.

But report to me daily by phone.

Aye, aye, sir.

Well,

-goodbye, Brickley.
-Goodbye, sir.

-Ryan.
-Goodbye, sir.

That's tough luck, fellow. What happened?

Oil failure.
Burnt out every cock-eyed bearing.

There's a shipyard at Cebu.
We'll tow you there.

-Better start tearing down those engines.
-I've already started.

-Thanks for the tow, Rusty.
-Por nada.

I'll do the same for you someday.

I hope not.

Wonder what happened to those kids
on the 32 boat.

They were abeam of us
at 3:00 in the morning.

Then we missed them.

Suppose that cruiser got them?

Oh, stop worrying, Brick. They'll show up.

I'm going over to the airfield.

Pick up an old crate,
and see if I can find them.

Take over, will you?

- Now, take it easy.
- Have a look at that plank.

And watch out for the coral.

Can I have your attention here, men?
Attention, all hands.

Mr. Brickley has requested
that I make the following announcement.

For every officer and man
in this squadron,

for your work in the w*r to date--

Happy, get in there
and give him a hand, will ya?

The General was awarded
the Silver Star for gallantry.

Junior, get in there and help him.

Planking's loose,
and the bottom's full of coral.

All right.

--Got a little news.

For every officer and man in the squadron,
for your work in the w*r to date--

Excuse me, sir. All this time,
this black cat has been aboard this boat.

The General was awarded
the Silver Star for gallantry.

By rights, the black cat
ought to have been aboard the 32 boat.

Maybe this black cat is good luck for us,
the 41 boat.

Anyway, you've been awarded
the Silver Cat.

Any luck?

Not a sign of them.

Fire in the paint locker!

Come on, son, hurry up.

All right, Mahan, think fast.
What happened?

It's all my fault, sir.

You see, I says to Mulcahey,

-"Let's get the crews a couple of beers."
-Yeah.

-So, we...
-That's the dumbest excuse I ever heard.

-I'm sorry, sir.
-And that helps a lot.

So, when we gets back there,
she was high and dry.

The engines wouldn't start.
It's just as much my fault, sir.

Pipe down. I'll take all the raps.

For two cents,
I'd bust you both to seaman's second.

Why don't you keep your mouth
out of my business?

Everything, sir.
Wheels, struts, and shafts.

-It's all my fault, sir.
-How did it happen?

There's nobody else to blame, but me, sir.

-You see--
-How did it happen?

Well, it's like this, sir.

You see, we were all hot and tired,
and thirsty, so Slug and I thought

we'll go up to the canteen
and get a couple of beers--

Stand by with the 41 boat.

We'll pass her line, pull her off,
and see what the damage is.

Yes, sir. But I don't want you to think--

-How was the beer?
-We didn't have any.

Okay!

Ready on the 35 boat.

Ready on the 35 boat!

Repeat the instructions.

If you're att*cked, burn your boats.
We'll try and pick you up.

If we're att*cked, burn your boats!

And we will try to pick you up!

José Fernandez Maria!

Get going there!
I'll whop you with a neck yoke.

Hey, Brick. Got a bent strut and shaft
on the port side.

- Check your planking?
- Planking's okay.

How long you figure it's gonna take, Dad?

Can't tell yet.
I won't knock off till I'm done.

How am I gonna pay you?

You fight them and I'll fix them.
That's pay enough.

Only hope we get them out of here
before the Japs move in.

How far away you figure they are?

On half the nearby island.

Cruisers and destroyers
have been nosing around for days.

What are you gonna do
if they make a landing?

They'll have to fight to get me.

You, Ascevedo Perreira!
Get away from that water bucket.

Drink on your own time.

That reminds me, how about a little snort?

Later.

Captain !

Submarine S29 coming up the channel, sir.

And chow is ready.

I got orders to load with food and quinine
and try to run it to Corregidor.

They also want the inter-island steamers
to try the Jap blockade.

We've got seven small streamers here.

And we might rig up a side-wheeler or two.
And some motored sailors.

I'll arrange for supplies at once.

Good, let's give her a whirl.

Well, I've got work to do,
I'll see you later.

Oh, Snuffy.

How about getting some torpedoes from you?

For those cr*cker boxes of yours?

No telling when we'll see
a mother ship again.

-How long you've been on patrol?
-Since the day w*r started.

What did you get?

Two small freighters. We had hard luck.

Well, while you've been
cruising around in the Pacific,

those cr*cker boxes
have sunk two converted cruisers,

an auxiliary aircraft carrier,
a 10,000-ton tanker, a large freighter,

a flock of barges,
and numerous sons of Nippon.

And also, in our brief career,

we've carried more messages
than the Western Union.

Oh, I'd like to help you out, fellows,
but I got orders--

Snuffy.

Who played the leading lady

in Tess of the d'Urbervilles in 1932
with the Academy?

And does your crew know about it?

How many do you want?

-You've got 16.
-We'll take eight.

And we'll try and put them
where they belong.

Thanks.

Do you mind?

Well, I finally have good news for you.

Tomorrow, at day break,
the bombers will take off from Australia

and blast every Jap ship in this area.

We've been hoping that would happen, sir.

Yes, but there's a catch in it.

There's a cruiser up the coast
headed this way.

Probably has destroyers with her.

Information says
she's of the Mogami-class.

Does that mean anything to you?

That's about as big as they come.
Yes, sir.

Oh...

Well,

she'll probably shell these food ships
before we can get them away from the dock.

Unless you boys can stop her.

Can do?

-Can try, sir.
-That's fair enough.

Better get going.
Take my driver and good luck.

Thank you, sir.

I'll drive.

"Mogami-class cruiser" mean
anything to you, Mr. Ryan?

Let her go!

-What's up, Skipper?
-Any news, Brick?

How soon can you get them ready, Dad?

Well, not for three days,
with the 35 boat.

Oh, Dad, you can get her ready
quicker than that!

Them bearings take time!

Rusty's boat's ready,
but her hull ought to soak 24 hours.

Okay, the 41 boat
will have to go alone, then.

-Boats, get her ready.
-Aye, aye, sir.

All right, g*ng, let's go.

Mr. Ryan, this has gone far enough.

That 41 boat is always hogging
the good jobs, sir.

We'll get all the soaking we need
on our way to hit the Japs, sir.

What do we do?
Sit on our duffs until they get back, sir?

The 41 can't handle this job alone, sir.

How about it, sir?

Okay.

But if she starts taking water,
turn back, sir.

What...

Come on, give us a hand, will you?

She's ready, Dad.

Ready here!

There she goes, Esperanzo!
Like water off a cat's back.

Hey, Rusty!

I ain't a drinking man,

but I'm saving most of this
till you get back.

There she is!
Jumping Jeremiah, there she is!

Rusty from Brick. Rusty from Brick.

I'll make my run from the beach,
you make yours from seaward. Over.

Brick from Rusty. Wilco.

Stand by!

Fire one!

Fire two!

Rusty from Brick. Rusty from Brick.

Start your run. Start your run. Over.

Brick from Rusty. Wilco.

Here we go!

Stand by!

Fire one!

Fire two!

Stand by your torpedoes.

Fire three!

Fire four!

Stand by, torpedoes!

Let's make these good !

Yards.

Fire three!

Fire four!

Let's drag our tails out of here.

We're lee of the land, sir.
They've lost us.

Take over.

Think Mr. Brickley had a chance
to get away, sir?

He usually does.

Running low on 50-caliber!

-Ryan. We can't control the fire!
-Grab Mahan.

Take cover!

-What's the score?
-Ninth inning, kid.

I'm sorry. The father is not here, sir.

He has been at the hospital for two days.

A serviceman is supposed to have a funeral

that's a tribute to the way
he spent his life.

Escort.

Firing squad.

Wrapped in the flag he served under
and died for.

In w*r, you gotta forget those things

and get buried the best way you can.

You all knew Squarehead Larsen
and Slug Mahan.

They were just a couple of blue jackets
who did their job.

Did it well.

34 boat couldn't have gotten along
without them.

Squarehead Larsen.

He was the best cook in the Navy.

He loved the old Arizona.

Now they're both gone.

Slug,

he was always quoting verse.

Bits of poetry.

So, here's one for him.

It's about the only one I know.

"Under the wide and starry sky,

"dig the grave

"and let me lie.

"Glad did I live and gladly die,

"And I laid me down with a will.

"This be the verse you grave for me.

"Here he lies where he longed to be.

"Home is the sailor,

"home from the sea,

"And the hunter home from the hill."

Is it all right, sir?

Sure.

Thank you, son.

Sorry. Bar closed. We go away.

Sorry, bar is open.

No! No! Jap come! Jap come!

Jap come. Jap come.

Go away. Jap come. Jap come.

Jap come. Go away.

WBKR, San Francisco.

A brief interruption, please.

This is tragic news from the Philippines.

The white flag of surrender was hoisted
on the bloody heights of Bataan

this afternoon.

Thirty-six thousand
United States soldiers,

hungry, ragged, half-starved shadows,

trapped like rats, but dying like men,

were finally worn down by
200,000 picked Japanese troops.

Men who fight for an unshakeable faith
are more than flesh.

But they're not steel.

Flesh must yield at last.

Endurance melts away. The end must come.

Bataan has fallen.

But the spirit that made it stand
as a beacon to all lovers of liberty

will never falter.

The white flag
was hardly hoisted over Bataan

before Jap a*tillery
began slamming away at Corregidor,

our last strong point in the Philippines.

Men, with Mr. Brickley gone,

I'm gonna carry on
the way I think he would.

I think you're right about Leyte Island.

There's some Army men over there.
Maybe we can hold out till help comes.

Dig in at every bridgehead
and pass, Lefty.

-Make them pay.
-Check.

Good luck, fellas.

So long, Mr. Ryan.

Repeat your orders, Snake.

To find and to report to
General Martin and keep him up to date.

All right, get going.

-Old Franklin High, Junior.
-Roosevelt High, sir.

Dad, I'm gonna try and find Brick.
Why don't you come along with me?

I've worked 40 years for this, son.

If I leave it,
they'll have to carry me out.

Hey, Mr. Ryan.

Hello, kid.

-Rusty. Hello, Brick.
-Hello, Mr. Ryan.

We thought the Japs got you.

Well, I thought they got you, too.

What happened?

Ran south through shallow water.

Where's your crew?

We lost Mahan and Larsen.

-Couple of the kids got hurt.
-How'd they get Slug?

Machine g*n from a plane.

That's great.

That's great.

Glad to see you back, Mr. Ryan.

Thank you.

Where's your boat, Rusty?

Jap bombers got her.

We burned the 35 boat.

The g*ng headed for Leyte.

She's through.

General Martin
turned her over to the Army

to run errands on Lake Lanao.

Okay, Navy. We're taking over.

Okay.

Okay, Army, take her away.

All right, gather up your gear.
We're heading out.

You looking for the Arizona, too?

Yeah.

Brickley.

I have orders to fly
you and Ryan to Australia.

-Australia?
-Yes.

Also ensigns Gardner and Cross.

-They're west of town.
-We'll find them.

Why us?
We're just a couple of snotty lieutenants.

You men have proved that PT boats
have some value in this w*r.

Washington wants you back
in the States to build them up.

Those are my orders.

-What about the men, sir?
-There isn't room for them.

-General Martin, those men--
-There isn't room for them, Brickley.

-Bridge ready, sir.
-Let her go.

General Martin, about these men,
I think--

There isn't room, Brickley.
Report to the airport right away.

Driver! And you better get going.

Makes a fine pair of heels out of us.

Mr. Ryan and I have been ordered out.

Good luck, sir.

Good luck to you, Jonesy.

That goes for you, too.

Watch him.

Sir?

I'd like to shake your hand.

That'll be a pleasure.

The book doesn't mean much out here,
so I'm going to say,

so long, Brick, you've been a swell guy.

So long, Irish.

So long, Rusty.

So long, you big mick.

Chief Boatswain's Mate Mulcahey.

Take over.

Aye, aye, sir.

Right face!

Cross step. Follow me!

-Fourth Marines.
-Forty-one.

Thank you, sir.

-Lieutenant Strong.
-Thirty-nine.

Fine.

-Here you are.
-Thank you, sir.

Brickley, U.S. N.

Number 27.

-Twenty-seven.
-Ryan, U.S. N.

-Number 28.
-Twenty-eight.

I'm sorry. I don't know whether
my name's on that list, or not.

Morton. Major James Morton.

You're number 31, Major.

Oh, I get to go?

Well, each plane holds 30 men.

If two planes come, you'll get to go.

Thirty-one. Thank you.

Wish those kids would show up.

Hey, Ohio.

Hiya, Rusty. How are you, fella?

When did you leave the Rock?

Oh, four or five days ago, a week.
I don't know.

Say, remember Sandy,
the little nurse with the green eyes?

Sure.

So do 11,000 other guys.

You know where she is?

No, I don't know where she'd be now.

She might be out in the hills.

Or a prisoner somewhere.

Swell dish.

I guess she meant more to you
than she did to the rest of us.

I sure hope she's okay.

Yeah.

Last time I talked to her
was over the telephone on Bataan.

Voice sounded swell.

Clear, brave,

and far away.

Only one plane.

Where do you suppose Gardner
and Cross could have gotten to?

Quite a load, Captain.

-Hey, Smokey!
-Hey, Joe.

As I call your names,
kindly step into the plane.

Number one, Sergeant T.V. Smith.

Number two, Lieutenant A. C. James.

Attention !

Brickley.

When you see the General,
tell him the end here is near.

If he should ask you what we want,
tell him a Navy task force.

A tanker loaded with gasoline
and 100,000 men.

Give me that, and we can start
taking the islands back.

I know he probably hasn't got them,
but if he asks you, tell him.

All right, sir.
Have they located Gardner and Cross?

No, they're still looking for them.

Number 27, Lieutenant Brickley, Navy.

Number 28, Lieutenant Ryan, Navy.

Number 29, Ensign Gardner.

Twenty-nine, Ensign Gardner.

Number 30, Ensign Cross.

Thirty, Ensign Cross.

Thirty-one, Major James Morton.

Here.

Number 32, Captain Carter.

Here.

That's all.

So long, Sergeant.

Major Morton and Captain Carter,
I'm sorry.

Your places are assigned
to these two men.

I'm sorry.

-Sorry we're late, sir. We got strafed.
-We both lost our bikes, sir.

-Okay.
-I'm sorry, sir.

-Not at all.
-Good luck, sailor.

I hope you boys have a smooth trip home.

Oh, say, if you get through,
would you mail a note to my wife?

Of course.

Here's her phone number.
Call her long-distance.

Tell her the last time you saw me
and that I still love her.

You bet I will.

Make no passes at her, sailor.

-Happy landings!
-Wait a minute.

You phone her.

I got business here and
you got business back in the States.

-Gangway.
-Rusty!

Who are you working for?

Yourself?

He said it, fella.

Thanks.

Not at all.

Sir?

How many more planes are coming in?

None.

Look, son, we're going home to do a job.

And that job is to get ready to come back.

Check?

Check.
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