Tripoli (1950)

Information from IMDb

Plot Summary
The U. S. Marine Corps hymn starts with"From the halls of Montezuma
to the shores of Tripoli", and this film's story purports to be the reason why,
and is give or take a few incidents in this movie:
It is 1805 and the Tripoli pirates have challenged America's right to freedom of the seas
---all of them, anywhere---so United Stares warships were sent to that port
to bottle up their fleet and set the riff-raff right concerning who could sail where.
(History begins to suffer a bit along about this point.)
A U. S. Marine unit, headed by Lieutenant O'Bannon, was sent
to attack them from the rear.
He organized his unit around Hamet, Pasha of Tripoli,
in exile after being overthrown by his brother.
In Hamet's court was Sheila D'Arneau, a diploma's daughter,
who disguises herself as a dancing girl, and joins the group of eight
U. S. Marines and Hamet supporters in their march across the Libyan desert.
O'Bannon and Shelia argue all the way to Tripoli.
Written by Les Adams

Full Cast
John Payne .... Lt. O'Bannion
Maureen O'Hara .... Countess D'Arneau
Howard Da Silva .... Capt. Demetrios
Phillip Reed .... Hamet Karamanly
Grant Withers .... Sgt. Derek
Lowell Gilmore .... Lt. Tripp
Connie Gilchrist .... Henriette
Alan Napier .... Khalil
Herbert Heyes .... Gen. Eaton
Alberto Morin .... Il Taiib
Emil Hanna .... Interpreter
Grandon Rhodes .... Cmmdre. Barron
Frank Fenton .... Capt. Adams
Rosa Turich .... Seewauk
Ray Hyke .... Crawford
Walter Reed .... Wade
Paul Livermore .... Evans
Gregg Barton .... Huggins
Don Summers .... Langley
Jack Pennick .... Busch
Ewing Mitchell .... Elroy

Writing Credits
Winston Miller also story
Will Price story

Produced
William H. Pine
William C. Thomas

Original Music
Lucien Cailliet

Cinematography
James Wong Howe

Memorable Quotes

Maureen and John Payne, must like Tripoli,
as this is the second movie, they made together, with it in the title,
the first being, To The Shores of Tripoli (1942)

A good solid film, with Maureen, once again teamed with John Payne,
an actor she made several appearances with.
It was scenic, and with a good script,
finished off with a credible battle scene
Look out for Duke favourites, Grant Withers and Jack Pennick.

User Review

Entertaining and Solid; an Intelligent Script and Good Cast Plus Action Scenes,
Author: silverscreen888 from United States

Quote

This is a strongly-scripted and well-made adventure film, with solid stars in Maureen O'Hara, John Payne and Howard da Silva . But its directorial history is a bit curious. Will Smith, then O'Hara's husband, had been wanting to direct. he got his chance with this movie and did a creditable job as producer and as director However, he had been cheating on her, so the couple divorced soon afterward and Price only directed two forgettable movies thereafter. The story told herein is of a mission featuring a force of US marines sent to combat the 18005 activities of the "Barbary Pirates", North African corsairs who were stopping the ships of other nations and robbing them or worse. The Marine's Hymn refers in the line "to the shores of Tripoli", to this same action. Maureen O'Hara, lovely and talented as ever, plays a French countess inexplicably betrothed to a local bigwig; Da Silva is humorous and excellent as a Greek mercenary hired to help Payne's marines find and destroy the pirates and their stronghold. Much of the film's footage concerns desert treks, during which the male-female conflict between Payne and O'Hara turns into something much more than mere instant dislike. There are some very -fine achievements connected with this attractive color production. James Wong Howe did the cinematography, Winston Miller and Price the script, Yvonne Wood the costumes, Alfred Kegerris the sets and Howard Pine the action and second- unit footage, which is far-above average. Those actors who contributed to this fast-moping and unusually-intelligent film included Philip Reed as the Countess's nefarious pursuer, Grant Withers, Connie Gilchrist, Alan Napier, Herbert Heyes, Lowell Gilmore, Grandon Rhodes and Rose Turich. There is a visually-exciting concluding battle and a happy ending. Favorite line: Greek da Silva modestly replying to US brass's thanks by saying, "Always glad to help a young country get started." A favorite film of mine, for several reasons; this is more than just a vehicle for the stars; it has dialogue, lovely scenic values and very good blocking, acting and overall production qualities.