MEN OF THE FIGHTING LADY
US, 1954, 79 minutes, Colour.
Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Louis Calhern, Dewey Martin, Keenan Wynn.
Directed by Andrew Marton.
A brief morale-boosting Korean war film from the early fifties. It had a bigger budget than many films or its time with its MGM production values. The story is based an articles by Commander Burns and by author James Michener who appears in the form of Louis Calhern in the film. Michener, of course, had been war correspondent and had written of the war in the South Pacific in his Tales from the South Pacific. His Korean War story was The Bridges at Toko Ri filmed by Mark Robson with William Holden and Grace Kelly.
The film is directed by Andrew Marton, an action director and second unit director of such films as Ben Hur. The action sequences are vivid. It is a man’s film and has several of the stars from MGM of the time including Van Johnson. The film is dated now but is interesting in showing comments on war and the Korean situation compared with World War II and the anticipation of the Vietnam war.
1. An interesting and entertaining war film? the World War II films and Korean war films and American attitudes of the fifties? Propaganda and patriotism?
2. The conventions of the war film - life on a ship, action in the air, comradeship, clashes, dangers? how conventional was this film? different?
3. Colour photography, aerial photography for the bombings and the landings? the authentic atmosphere of the ship, warfare in the air? special effects especially for the raids and the return of the planes? the musical score?
4. The authenticity of the story - the articles in the Saturday Evening Post, James Michener, his reputation and his being introduced as character in the film? The Michener touch with the dialogue and quips about war, the arguing for and against American involvement in Korea and the interpretations given, for example police action, the prevention of further war? The credibility of life on the ship, the particular air fighting group, interrelationships, deaths and injuries?
5. The portrait of the men and their life on the ship - the doctor, his telling the story to Michener, his involvement with the men, for example with the brandy, his moralising and sermonising and their acceptance of it? Howard and his leadership, his reliance on Grayson, his heroism in leading Ken back when he was blind? Ken as a young officer, his determination to be self-centred, his being led back and relying on Howard? Ted Dobson and the memories of World War II, the criticisms of Grayson, his death in being generous? Grayson and his leadership, aggressiveness, ambitions, leadership of' the men and decisions? The portrait of the commanders, the man looking after the planes, the helicopter rescuers? An overall picture of life on the ship? How well delineated were these characters within the brief space of the film?
6. The presentation of standard sequences - how well were they done, interestingly: the briefings, the mission and the aerial photography of the bombings, the bailing out and helicopter sea rescues, jet maintenance and landings, crash landings? Recreation sequences, arguments, comparisons of World War II and the Korean War? Emergency landings and medical aid? The chaplain's prayer? The whipping up of enthusiasm?
7. The focus of the story with Kenny's injury, Howard's gradually leading him back and keeping him alive? The morale boosting point of the story? the humanity?
8. How satisfying are war films of this kind - as representing American attitudes of the fifties, later? their study of human nature in conflict and the need for fraternity and heroism?
