Details

Release year: 1955

Storyline

In the waning days of World War II, the cargo officer of a Navy supply ship chafes at its role far from the action in the Pacific's backwater areas, his frustration rising when its captain denies the crew liberty over petty irritations.

Top credits

Directors

Writers

Cast

Henry Fonda — Lieutenant Roberts
James Cagney — The Captain
William Powell — Doc
Jack Lemmon — Ensign Pulver

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Awards

1 win & 2 nominations

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Did you know

• William Powell's last film, his final film appearance. He had marked difficulties retaining his lines, something that had not happened to him in earlier films. This, along with frail health (including bouts with cancer) plus a difficult Hawaii location shoot, ultimately led to the actor's decision to retire.

• Ensign Pulver meets Capt. Morton (James Cagney), apparently for the first time, identifies himself, and tells the captain that he's been on the ship for "14 months, sir." Before shooting the scene, Cagney realized that he would have to rehearse the moment with Jack Lemmon again and again so he wouldn't burst out laughing during the actual filming. Lemmon agreed, and when the scene was filmed, Cagney claimed he was just barely able to hang on with a straight face, despite the repeated rehearsals.

• When John Ford met James Cagney at the airport, the director warned that they would "tangle asses," which caught Cagney by surprise. The next day, Cagney was slightly late on set, and Ford became incensed. Cagney cut short the imminent tirade, saying: "When I started this picture, you said that we would tangle asses before this was over. I'm ready now - are you?" Ford backed down and walked away, and he and Cagney had no further conflicts on the set. Cagney later said: "I would have kicked his brains out. He was so goddamned mean to everybody. He was truly a nasty old man."