In Harms Way (1965)

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Captain Rockwell Torrey and Commander Paul Eddington
are part of the Navy's effort to recuperate from, and retaliate for,
the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Torrey is romantically involved with nurse Maggie Haynes,
and also tries to restore his relationship with his estranged son,
Jeremiah, a young Naval officer.
Summary written by Jim Beaver.

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Capt. Rockwell Torrey
Kirk Douglas .... Eddington
Patricia Neal .... Maggie
Tom Tryon .... Mac
Paula Prentiss .... Bev
Brandon De Wilde .... Jere
Jill Haworth .... Annalee
Dana Andrews .... Admiral Broderick
Stanley Holloway .... Clayton Canfil
Burgess Meredith .... Commander Egan Powell
Franchot Tone .... CINCPAC1
Patrick O'Neal .... Commander Neal Owynn
Carroll O'Connor .... Lt. Commander Burke
Slim Pickens .... C.P.O Culpepper
James Mitchum .... Ensign Griggs
George Kennedy .... Colonel Gregory
Bruce Cabot .... Quartermaster Quoddy
Barbara Bouchet .... Liz Eddington
Tod Andrews .... Captain Tuthill
Larry Hagman .... Lt. J.G. Cline
Stewart Moss .... Ensign Balch
Richard LePore .... Lt. J.G. Tom Agar (as Richard Le Pore)
Chet Stratton .... Ship's doctor
Soo Yong .... Tearful woman
Dort Clark .... Boston
Phil Mattingly .... PT Boat skipper
Henry Fonda .... CINCPAC II
Yankee Chang .... Mortuary clerk (uncredited)
Christopher George .... Sailor (uncredited)
Jerry Goldsmith .... Piano player (uncredited)
Christian Haren .... (uncredited)
Don McCurry .... Extra (uncredited)
Hugh O'Brian .... U.S. Army Air Corps major (Liz Eddington's lover) (uncredited)

Writing Credits
James Bassett novel Harm's Way
Wendell Mayes

Cinematography
Loyal Griggs

Stunts
Paula Dell .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Herron .... stunts (uncredited)
John Indrisano .... stunts (uncredited)
Loren Janes .... stunts (uncredited)
Hal Needham .... stunts (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr. .... stunts (uncredited)
Dean Smith .... stunts (uncredited)

Trivia
The naval battle sequences were done with models that were so large in scale (for the sake of greater detail) that they could be operated from the inside.

Cameo: [Jerry Goldsmith] Early in the film, prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, the composer can be seen as the pianist signaling the orchestra to stop playing.

Until recently Adms. Kimmell and Nimitz were identified in the credits simply as CINCPAC1 and CINCPAC2. Neither of them is referred to by name in the movie and any reference to them is always as 'CINCPAC'.

During the filming, Kirk Douglas sponsored a Yom Kippur service for the Jewish naval personnel being used as extras in the film.

The Cruiser used for filming was the USS Saint Paul (CA-73).

Kirk Douglas wrote that John Wayne wanted him for the role of Commander (later Captain) Eddington. Douglas was surprised as they did not know each other and did not socialize, and their political opinions were very different. Nonetheless, the collaboration was a success and the two later co-starred in The War Wagon (1967) and Wayne had a cameo in Douglas' ode to Israel, Cast a Giant Shadow (1966).

Henry Fonda, who plays the second Commander-in-Chief-PacificFleet (CINCPAC II), was actually a naval veteran of World War II who served in the Pacific Theater. After making The Ox-Bow Incident (1943), Fonda enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II, saying, "I don't want to be in a fake war in a studio." He served in the Navy for three years, as a Quartermaster 3rd Class on the destroyer USS Satterlee, then, after receiving a commissioned as Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) in Air Combat Intelligence. For his service, he won the Bronze Star, the fourth highest award for bravery or meritorious service in conflict with the enemy. Fonda later reprised the role of CINCPAC in the docudrama Battle of Midway (1976), where the character was identified as Adm. Chester Nimitz.

John Wayne was suffering from lung cancer and by the end of filming he was coughing up blood. Two months after filming ended his entire left lung and several ribs were removed.

In addition to John Wayne, Franchot Tone was also suffering from lung cancer during filming.

The escape of a destroyer from the Pearl Harbor attack with only junior officers aboard is based on the action of the USS Aylwin (DD-355).

The film's title comes from a quote by Revolutionary War captain John Paul Jones: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way."

The fictional ship in the movie is a composite of several WWII cruisers. 1. The USS Salt Lake City was known as the "Swayback Maru". The ship in the movie and in the novel the movie is based on was known as "Old Swayback". 2. The USS San Francisco was the flagship of a squadron of ships in the famous naval battle of November 12, 1942, in the Solomon Islands area. The fictional ship in the movie was also the flagship of a squadron of ships in an important naval battle. 3. The two ships mentioned above survived WWII. The fictional ship in the movie was sunk, so it could also be based on any US Navy cruiser that was sunk during the Solomon Islands campaign.

The islands identified by Torrey as Gavabutu, Levu Vana and Tokaroa are actually San Cristobal, Guadalcanal and Malaita. Pala Passage would become known as Ironbottom Sound because of the number of ships that would be sunk there in coming battles. Cape Titan probably refers to the Japanese base at Rabaul on New Britain, about 650 miles from Guadalcanal. The battle for Guadalcanal began on 7 Aug., 1942 and would not end until February, 1943. Although they say that the majority of forces are with MacArthur in the Solomons, Guadalcanal, is in the eastern Solomons. The dividing line between MacArthur's area of responsibility and Nimitz's was the 159 degrees east.

According to John Huston's autobiography, this is the movie that nearly drove Tom Tryon out of the acting business. He had heard rumors of Otto Preminger's demanding nature, and was understandably nervous. Preminger saw this, and instead of trying to reassure the agitated Tryon, first chewed him out for his fears in front of other cast members, then walked behind him and screamed "RELAX!" in his ear. Tryon reportedly almost quit that day, but castmates talked him out of it.

The original Clemson-class destroyer DD-298 was the USS Percival (commissioned 1920, decommissioned 1930). Its first commander was Commander Raymond A. Spruance who lead the 5th Fleet in WWII.

Goofs
* Anachronisms: Features a US Navy Albatross, not built until after the end of WW II.

* Crew or equipment visible: When Torrey says goodbye to his son, one of the 1952 GMC trucks belonging to the production company can be seen in the background.

* Anachronisms: M-151 "Jeep"-type vehicles used in many scenes were from the 1960s not 1940s. Note horizontal grill bars. The M151 MUTT was the successor to the Korean War M38 and M38A1 jeep Light Utility Vehicles and was produced from 1959 through 1982.

* Anachronisms: Powell drives a 1946 Ford convertible in 1941.

* Factual errors: CAPT. Eddington, while flying over the Japanese Battleship Yamato, states that "she's got twelve (12) big guns" while in the WWII combat footage shown, the Yamato and her nine (9) 18" guns can be seen clearly.

* Factual errors: They refer to the Naval Academy as "Campus" when in fact it is referred to as the "Yard".

* Continuity: Early in the movie while Liz Eddington and her lover are fleeing the Japanese attack in his Lincoln convertible, they crash into a truck and leave the road in flames and the Lincoln changes into a Ford.

* Continuity: At the meeting in the bomb shelter, Clayton Canfil changes position between shots.

* Continuity: When Captain Paul Eddington absconds with the long range bomber to scout out the Japanese, he scrambles into the plan leaving the entry door open, hanging down. There is no one to close the door, and Eddington leaves seconds later with the entry door closed.

* Revealing mistakes: When Torrey throws a note from the R4D (DC-3 Dakota) to the Para Marines and Canfil on the island, the streamer points into the wind, in the direction of travel of the aircraft, not away from it.

* Anachronisms: Mrs. MacConnell tells her husband, "Mac, you've got that brainwashed look again." The term "brainwashing" wasn't used until the POW scandals of the Korean War.

* Factual errors: In the beginning Captain Torey sends a radio message to Pearl requesting a tanker to refuel his battle group. Anyone in the Navy would call a ship that does refueling an "Oiler".

* Miscellaneous: When McConnel's destroyer is getting ready to get underway during the Pearl Harbor attack, the engineering officer says "cut in all burners, release jacking gear" - but this is erroneously stated on the subtitles as "checking gear".

* Anachronisms: The "Powell-Hyde" cable car prominently featured is the present day Powell Street style of car that was running on the route in the 1960s when the film was made, but not in the 1940s at the time of the story. At that time both the style of the cars and the routing was different. California Street RR Company style cars ran on Hyde via the O'Farrell and Jones Street route.

* Anachronisms: Nearly all female characters in the film wear popular and current 1965 clothing and hairstyles.

* Continuity: The Japanese submarine in the Pearl Harbor attack changes appearance radically between shots - different models - at 0:23:16 and 0:23:54.

* Boom mic visible: In the scene in the quonset hut when Admiral Torrey receives the phone call from Powell about Eddington's reconnaissance flight, the shadow of a mike boom can be seen on the wall to Torrey's left.

* Factual errors: The model of the Yamato has its 6-inch secondary guns in double-barreled turrets. The real Yamato's 6-inch guns were in triple-barreled turrets.

* Factual errors: During the surface battle, Torrey and his staff are all without life jackets or helmets. When at general quarters, battle stations, all topside personnel, those not in the enclosed compartments below the main deck, would be wearing life jackets. Almost all personnel would be wearing helmets.

* Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Eddington takes the PBJ to scout the Japanese fleet, he sits in the right hand seat. The pilot of a fixed wing aircraft always sits in the left hand seat when the seats are side by side. This even applies to student pilots. The instructor will fly right seat.

* Revealing mistakes: Torrey's first task force is referred to as a "bat blind" group with no radar, yet as the destroyer commanded by Mac McConnell leaves Pearl Harbor you can plainly see a radar dish on her mast.

* Boom mic visible: (01:53:20) When Ensign Annalee Dorne (Jill Haworth) and Captain Paul Eddington (Kirk Douglas) break away from the beach party she goes over a short rise in the beach, as he pursues her and calls out to her, "Hey Dorn!", you can see the shadow of a boom mic in the sand.

* Factual errors: The cruiser used in the beginning of the movie, U.S.S. St. Paul CA-73, did not enter service until 1945. It had twin 3" gun mounts in place of quad 40mm by the time the movie was filmed. Also the 3" has radar dishes clearly visible on each mount.

* Factual errors: The action takes place in the Solomon Islands, though they are renamed. The IJN Yamato, never ventured into the Solomon's due to fuel consumption issues. Also, it was not until 1944 that the IJN Yamato fired her guns in combat.

* Anachronisms: As the paratroop assault launches, an M-38A1 jeep can be seen moving on the runway. The M-38 (&A1) series was not produced until 1950.

* Continuity: In the opening scene at the Navy dance, a bra strap can be seen across Liz Eddington's back as her dress opens up but as she takes off her dress at the beach, she is wearing no bra.

* Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Torrey is leaving Maggie's house, he says "Thank you, Maggie" but his lips don't move.

* Factual errors: When Eddington is killed and his plane is shot down, Admiral Torrey and the other officers present on base listening to his transmissions can hear the sounds of the plane's destruction coming through the radio on the plane. While this would be electronically possible, it is highly unlikely because Eddington or some other force would have to be holding the button on the microphone down to be transmitting a signal.

* Factual errors: John Wayne's character makes a comment to Burgess Meredith's character about his marrying three Hollywood actresses. In reality, the man upon whom Meredith's character was based, Rear Admiral Gene Markey, USNR did not marry the third actress, Myrna Loy, until January, 1946 - four months after World War II had ended.

* Revealing mistakes: When the boatswain's mate orders, "On deck, attention to port," the water in the background can be seen moving as if the ship (which has just anchored) is underway.

* Factual errors: At the formalities bestowing Admiral Rank on Capt. Torrey, Admiral Nimitz said "After the formalities of the ceremonies peter out, join Egan and me." Admiral Torrey was briefed and then Adm Nimitz handed him is old 2 stars for the collar, and said, "If there was any luck in them, you're gonna need it." Torrey thanked him and then standing, still within his "zone" (to Adm. Nimitz) merely turned and left. In practice, this would never happen. Adm. Torrey would have taken one step rearward still facing Adm. Nimitz, came to attention, and then been "dismissed," which may have been an understood dismissed and not spoken, but no lower ranking officer ever leaves the presence of a higher rank without paying proper respect to the higher rank, i.e. Admiral Torrey to Admiral Nimitz with exchange of salutes.

* Anachronisms: When morgue attendant is asked by Eddington to see the man that she was bought in with he says that the air force picked it by three days ago at that time it was the known as the army corps.

* Continuity: In the scene where Eddington takes the reconnaissance plane, it is given to him with a machine gun clearly visible extending from the nose. In later shots of the plane in flight, it is gone.

* Continuity: When Eddington's plane is shot down, the left wing is blown off and the plane is on fire. In the next shot, the fire is clearly coming from Eddington's right.

* Boom mic visible: In the very opening scene at the dance, a boom mic shadow is clearly visible panning over the officers' hats.

* Boom mic visible: When Capt. Torrey walks Eddington from the brig to the duty launch, a boom mic shadow is very clearly seen on Kirk Douglas and the background behind him.

* Crew or equipment visible: When Torrey visits his son on the PT Boat, there is a "gun crew" in the background, but the gun nor any of the "men" ever move at all. This exact same "crew" is seen actually moving in the Torrey/Eddington scene after leaving the brig.

* Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After Eddington identifies the Yamato, Mac refers to it as an 80,000-ton vessel. At this point in the war, U.S. intelligence had only suspicions of the Yamato's existence; even when its presence in the Pacific was confirmed, it was believed to be a 40,000-ton ship and its actual full load was just shy of 73,000 tons.

* Revealing mistakes: As the Cassidy is attacking the sub in the beginning of the film, we are given what is supposed to be Eddington's viewpoint through binoculars on the cruiser. The "view" we see is, however, clearly taken from an aircraft.

* Continuity: When the 'Cassiday' is starting her run from Pearl Harbor during the attack, her stern depth charge racks are empty. Yet several minutes later when the captain and exec are astern trying to catch up, the stern depth charge racks are full.

* Factual errors: John Wayne's character was promoted to Rear Admiral lower half who should wear a single star, yet he is seen later wearing two stars.

* Revealing mistakes: SPOILER: In the hospital ship approaching Pearl Harbor, Rockwell Torrey is told that he had been asleep for almost three weeks. If this was the case, he would have been totally dependent upon intravenous feeding, yet there were no IV lines anywhere in sight.

Memorable Quotes

Filming Locations
Hawaii, USA
Hell's Half Acre District, Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA
San Diego, California, USA
San Francisco, California, USA

Watch this Trailer

[extendedmedia]

Previous discussion:-
In Harm's Way

In Harm's Way is a 1965 American epic war film
produced and directed by Otto Preminger
and starring John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal,
Tom Tryon, Paula Prentiss, Stanley Holloway,
Burgess Meredith, Brandon deWilde, Jill Haworth,
Dana Andrews, and Henry Fonda.

It was the last black-and-white World War II epic
and the last black-and-white John Wayne film.
It received a mixed response over the years
as a war story that had a simple story,
a charge leveled against Preminger's later movies, starting with this one.
The screenplay was written by Wendell Mayes
based on the novel Harm's Way by James Bassett.

The film recounts the lives of several US naval officers and their wives or lovers
while based in Hawaii as the US involvement in World War II begins.
The title of the film comes from a quote from American Revolutionary
naval hero John Paul Jones:
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast,
for I intend to go in harm's way."

I enjoyed this film and thought the casting of the main parts was excellent.
Although, not bosom friends, Duke and Kirk acted well together,as so did,
Patricia Neal. whilst Henry Fonda, would always make a good Admiral..

The only thing that spoils this film, and Kirk went to great lengths
to point out, was the use of the mock model battle, at the end.
At best, they could have tried the real thing, at worst they could have left
it out altogether.

Either of those two options, would have been better, then what we got!!
When you think a crew of 40, spent one month, and $1million
recording that scene, which lasts only 5 minutes, it makes you shudder!!

User Review

Quote

"a mother lovin' gut busting navy war."
17 November 2006 | by bkoganbing (Buffalo, New York)

I've always felt that in these big budget all star epics, the trick is to give each of the star a role of substance as small as the part might be sometimes. That's one of the best things about In Harm's Way, Otto Preminger cast this film with a whole lot of big movie names and each one of them made their presence felt.

Case in point the three admirals played by Franchot Tone, Dana Andrews, and Henry Fonda. All three are very different type men. Tone is a man knowing he'll be sitting the war out because it was on his watch that the Pearl Harbor attack occurred. He's not bitter, he knows that's how things work in the navy. Dana Andrews is a publicity conscious admiral who employs the unctuous Patrick O'Neal in that regard. Henry Fonda plays the second commander in chief of the Pacific, Chester Nimitz in all but name. Oddly enough Fonda would play Nimitz again and by name in the film Midway a decade later. All three of these men make a deep impression on the audience despite having limited roles.

I'm sure that when Otto Preminger was casting In Harm's Way he must have seen Operation Pacific and saw the easy chemistry that John Wayne and Patricia Neal had 14 years earlier. Playing older and wiser versions of themselves from the previous film, Wayne and Neal show love ain't just for the young.

In Harm's Way has the Duke as a father figure for the first time. As Rockwell Torrey, the rock of ages as Kirk Douglas calls him, in addition to the Pacific War he takes on a whole lot of people's problems and they look to him for advice and comfort. In addition to his biological son Brandon DeWilde, the Duke also deals with Kirk Douglas and his problem concerning his tramp of a wife and the problems of young Lieutenant j.g. Tom Tryon and his wife Paula Prentiss.

One of my favorite John Wayne scenes is with Prentiss as he brings her the news about Tryon being missing in action. It is so well done from both players I'm still moved after having seen In Harm's Way a dozen times or more.

Acting honors however may go to Kirk Douglas as Wayne's chief aide who has the most complex role in the film. Douglas runs the gamut of emotions as he does in so many of his roles, from naval hero to maniacal rapist. Douglas actually hopes the war coming will help him put his personal problems on a back burner. For a while and it does, but only temporarily.

Another favorite I have here is Patrick O'Neal who if there is a villain other than the Japanese, he's it. He's a smarmy former Congressman who's looking as the war as a series of photo ops and is already planning his post war political career. O'Neal's not above jeopardizing a naval operation for the sake of a little publicity for his boss Dana Andrews. His confrontation with Kirk Douglas in the latrine is a classic.

In Harm's Way is a skilled blend of war drama and soap opera in the best sense of that term. It can be enjoyed and appreciated by fans of both.

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Memorable Quotes

There are many, many for this film, I have included a few, but click on
the link below, for the rest:-

Commander Paul Eddington: Old Rock of Ages, we've got ourselves another war. A gut bustin', mother-lovin' Navy war.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: In case it slipped your mind, it's gunnery stations at 0830.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: We both know what's eating you, Paul. You can't wash it out with booze.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: Paul, you're forcing me to throw my weight at you. Fish, or cut bait. Get on your feet or take your troubles elsewhere. I've got a ship to run.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: If you can hold a razor in that hand, you might shave before you come topside.
Commander Paul Eddington: Aye, aye, Father Torrey.

LTJG 'Mac' McConnel: Let's crawl back into a uniform. You make us look like a bunch of pirates.

INFORMATION IMDb

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059309/quotes

Hi ejgreen77,
Thanks, I'll post that one, for you.

Best Wishes,

Hi,
I have been researching all the threads, back to the start of the JWMB,
looking for previous discussion, relating to the movies.
I have found the following, comments, and have copied them here,
so that they are now under one forum:-

In Defense Of "in Harm's Way", No, not our pal here at DukeWayne.com...

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Cole Thornton
post Jul 8 2005, 03:25 PM

...He can defend himself just fine thank you, I'm talking about the movie.

I've always liked the 1965 Otto Preminger-directed film. But the critics never seemed to warm up to it. I think that it has many good things going for it:

1) All-Star Cast: Besides the Duke, there's a slew of my favorite actors, Kirk Douglas as the tomented Paul Eddington, Burgess Meredith as fun-loving Egan Powell, Dana Andrews as the George B. McClellan of the Pacific Theatre, the tragic-fated Brandon DeWilde (who died in a car accident in 1973), George Kennedy (two years away from his Oscar win), Paula Prentiss (who was everywhere in the mid 1960s), Larry Hagman in a bit part, the wonderful Patricia Neal (good as Duke's love interest; and an Oscar winner for 1963's "Hud."), Patrick O'Neal as slimy, opportunistic officer and former US congressman. Plus Slim Pickens, Carroll O'Connor and a bunch of other people...

2) Great Music: Composer Jerry Goldsmith ("Patton", "Star Trek", "The Omen") has a fine music score here and even has a cameo at the beginning during the opening sequence.

3) Soap Opera Plot: Lots of sub-plots and all are pretty interesting, though they could have developed the Prentiss plot a little more. The performances are so engaging and I stayed interested.

4) B&W Photography: Crisp, clear and well-shot. Sure, there were the toy boat battle scenes, but who cares?

5) The Duke: As Rockwell Torrey, JW is the foundation of this movie, he is truly legendary in the role. Not bad for a guy who never even served, eh? Even Otto Preminger didn't boss him around!

Yes, the film has it's weak points (the young nurse is so obviously British and cannot hide her accent), the effects aren't spectacular (this is more of a character study anyway) and the ending is a downer, to be sure, but I watch "In Harm's Way" frequently and it's a fast way to pass three hours. The DVD is good quality and I count it as one of my top five John Wayne movies.

Your thoughts?

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smokey
post Jul 8 2005, 03:41 PM

i too like in harms way and i find it a good watch. i dont find the ending such a bummer as you because for a man who was sat behind a desk because he did his duty just after the attack on pearl who then went on to lead the men under his command to a victory admittly with great losses to be informed by the character played by henry fonda that he was going back state side to get a wooden peg attached so that he could come back and help lead them to victory at the helm of his warship even with his pegleg. and another thing that i liked was that the bloke who was incharge of the ship that gave him a tow in the beginning was also the one who saved him in the end which gave it a nice feeling ending

cheers smokey

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Jay J. Foraker
post Jul 8 2005, 03:55 PM

I've always liked "In Harm's Way," mainly because it is a character study set against the activities of WWII in the Pacific, which keeps the story from being mired into an overdone soap opera. I agree with Smokey that the ending is not a downer. It has the effect of saying "onward and upward" and could have actually led to an "In Harm's Way, Part II," if the producers had the mind-set of modern-day thinking.
Cheers - Jay

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SXViper
post Jul 8 2005, 04:32 PM

I agree with the above posts. I thourghly enjoy the movie and would also put it into my top 5-7 movies all time for Duke.

I especially liked Burgess Meredith's role. Not that it was a great performance or anything but, I just liked him in that type of role. Also Kirk Douglas was excellent and I don't think there could of been another actor that could have pulled off the performance that Kirk did. Excellent movie and about the only pitfall that I can see was the "toy boat" battle scences.

Quote

arthurarnell
post Jul 8 2005, 04:41 PM

Hi
I liked Tom Tryon he made some reasonable pictures. Apparantly he fell foul of Otto Preminger and was treated terribly. Kirk Douglas recounts in his book how he had to stand up to Preminger to avoid being treated the same.
The strange thing is that Preminger hired Tryon later to appear in a major role in the Cardinal.

Regards
Arthur

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Cole Thornton
post Jul 8 2005, 05:02 PM

QUOTE(Jay J. Foraker @ Jul 8 2005, 10:55 AM)
I've always liked "In Harm's Way," mainly because it is a character study set against the activities of WWII in the Pacific, which keeps the story from being mired into an overdone soap opera. I agree with Smokey that the ending is not a downer. It has the effect of saying "onward and upward" and could have actually led to an "In Harm's Way, Part II," if the producers had the mind-set of modern-day thinking.
Cheers - Jay
*

I agree, Jay. I have long wanted to write a fanfic sequel to IHW because I like the characters so much. I would also like to scratch out a prequel, to focus on the characters like Eddington, Broderick et al. I guess I overstated the "downer" aspect of the ending, since Duke does get the girl and while he lost his son in combat, he had reconciled with him and both men knew that.

As for the music once again, I particularly love "The Rock" theme for Duke, especially the subdued version of it as he looks at the photot of the young Jerr. Also, the tormented theme as Kirk walks along the street after going to the morgue to identify his wife. I can't say enough about Goldsmith's music.

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arthurarnell
post Jul 9 2005, 08:24 AM

Hi Cole

If you like the music from In Harm's Way it's available on the Silva Screen CD True Grit Music From the Classic Films of John Wayn its played by the City of Prague Philharmonic

Regards

Arthur

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Cole Thornton
post Jul 9 2005, 01:09 PM

I have a lot of the scores listed above, and I have seen the Silva Screen "Hollywood Goes To War", which has a decent version of "The Rock" theme. "Police Story" is indeed a fine theme. I was lucky enough to get the (very rare) original soundtrack for Christmas and the funky underscore works wonders while driving. Reminds me of so many things about 1970s cop shows, like rooftop chases and very big cars!

Quote

InHarmsWay
post Jul 11 2005, 12:25 AM

I myself can safely say this is in the top 3 of favorite Duke movies.The cast was just amazing, Tom tyron and Brandon de Wilde BOTH impressed me alot, I would have liked to see him appear in more movies with the Duke.Te Duke couldnt have asked for a better supporting cast, a large list of stars and they clicked and did very well together.
I really liked the ending, as someone said...seeing the Duke rise from a captain of an old heavy cruiser, to routing convoys and then to commanding "sky hook" and then in the end, in the end, fonda telling him he will be on the desk of a ship in command of a task force...and maggie not leaving rocks side,and of course we see mac again.
I guess a fact of war is death, and right at the end there - there was so many key characters killed off such as eddington,jere,annalee,egan,burke,tuttle etc.
Ive seen the movie perhaps 40-50times and it the time goes by so fast when I watch it, and each time you notice small tings each time you watch it.
About a sequal to this, yes they should have done one I believe it could have been half decent, would like to see the next range of events and the war's end.(The dukes battles..a possible marriage...mac becoming his chief of staff although im not sure if that would happen, you must be a Captain in order to be right? Seeing as how mac was onle a Lt.Cmdr and "class of '38" at the acadamy.
The battles scenes, they werent bad at all. I didnt mind the models they had...personally i prefer the models as to actual combat movies its like they take you away from the movie sometimes and you begin to notice differance with what you are seeing and SUPPOSE to see which i do not like.

Thats just my 2 cents!

-IHW

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Cole Thornton
post Jul 11 2005, 12:27 PM

IHW- I knew you'd have a lot of good to add to this! I like the idea of a sequel and Tom Tryon (who became a novelist I believe) would have fit in nicely with Duke's acting troupe. I could see him in The Green Berets and The Undefeated quite easily. Ditto your idea of making his Mac character his new COS. But it would be hard to top the wonderful supporting cast. I wouldn't mind having had something like this for the sequel:
Jack Lord (pre-"Hawaii Five-O") in a CO capacity. Stern and tough, an extension of Rock's will.
Gregory Peck- Something akin to his MacArthur performance of the 1970s; maybe he could play a Hell-Bent-For-Leather type who Duke has to reign in and otherwise be at odds with; the public likes him, but Torrey barely tolerates him. Perhaps a humorous resolution to their conflict.
Just some choices off the top of my head, feel free to add your own...
As for Burke, I was affected by his death. Such a fine, likable performance from Burgess Meredith, who seemed to get more talented with age. ("I tell ya, the women they're smokin' cigarettes...")
I really have no problem with the toy boat sequences, as I actually prefer the character-driven scenes over the combat stuff.
In Harm's Way is definitely a top five favorite of mine, don't know where I ranked it in the last poll, but it should be up there. I have it on DVD and have seen it about 20-25 times. The quickest way I know of to spend 2:46 or so.

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InHarmsWay
post Jul 11 2005, 08:03 PM

Cole, I must agree with Tom Tyron being a good choice for The Green Berets, are you speaking of the role Jim Hutton picked up?If Hutton had'nt have done it I believe Tyron would have filled his large shoes quite well.I really enjoyed huttons acting ability alongside the duke in the hellfighters as well.

As for gregory peck, he would have made a terrific rival (something like dana andrews as "broderick" although...more powerful and a better "adversary".Something such as the "battle between montgomery and patton" arising between peck and the duke could have made somewhat of a key component in a sequel...however its just my thoughts.

cmdr.egan powell was played by Meredith, burke of course was played by caroll o'connor.I agree i liked his performance "doing the shimmy sham shimmy".

As for a suitable CIC for "rock", im really torn by this.Robert Vaughn would have to be my top choice to be honest,very tough and stern as well and extremely talented.

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Cole Thornton
post Jul 11 2005, 09:04 PM

QUOTE(InHarmsWay @ Jul 11 2005, 03:03 PM)

cmdr.egan powell was played by Meredith, burke of course was played by caroll o'connor.I agree i liked his performance "doing the shimmy sham shimmy".

As for a suitable CIC for "rock", im really torn by this.Robert Vaughn would have to be my top choice to be honest,very tough and stern as well and extremely talented.
*

I was thinking Egan, but somehow I typed Burke. I should know better!
I like Robert Vaughn a whole lot, especially in "Bullitt" and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. I don't see him as Rock's exec, but rather a Neal Owen-type role. A slimy, opportunistic aide to another admiral. Of course, that would be duplicating O'Neal's role, which was great although he did seem to vanish after getting smacked around by Eddington. I'm sure we could find a part for him! Let's just hope we can get Otto to direct again...

I like Jim Hutton, so why not use him in IHWII? Besides, he always seemed to be working with Paula Prentiss anyway. Hutton died way too young. Didn't even get to see his son Tim win the Oscar in 1981 for 1980s "Ordinary People." Life can be cruel.

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InHarmsWay
post Jul 12 2005, 03:20 AM

QUOTE(Cole Thornton @ Jul 11 2005, 04:04 PM)
I was thinking Egan, but somehow I typed Burke. I should know better!
like Robert Vaughn a whole lot, especially in "Bullitt" and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. I don't see him as Rock's exec, but rather a Neal Owen-type role. A slimy, opportunistic aide to another admiral. Of course, that would be duplicating O'Neal's role, which was great although he did seem to vanish after getting smacked around by Eddington. I'm sure we could find a part for him! Let's just hope we can get Otto to direct again...
I like Jim Hutton, so why not use him in IHWII? Besides, he always seemed to be working with Paula Prentiss anyway. Hutton died way too young. Didn't even get to see his son Tim win the Oscar in 1981 for 1980s "Ordinary People." Life can be cruel.
*
Now, somehow I just have to agree with you Cole.Its true that Vaughn would be great as a "neal owen" sort of character AS HE IS best known for...although I FIND he is known for his darker roles as well.
Before you write him off, take a look at eddington.Was he character not dark,confused and misunderstood with his boozing,womanizing and well of course what he did to ensign dorn.
Vaughn could be more then capable to make a fantastic exec, a role he could pull off im sure just by him being know as a great,skilled actor.
It is a shame about Jim Hutton, died way too young..just a few days prior to that of the dukes actually.A big man at 6'5 i agree there would have been a spot for him in IHW2.
Now, as we are in the middle of 2005, and taking into account this movie was made 40years ago...
WHO (for IHW2), Would you have play the major roles, and some minor roles.You may have to make up your imagination to create some characters as well.

-IHW

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