SUBMARINE COMMAND

US, 1951, 87 minutes, Black and white.
William Holden, Nancy Olsen, William Bendix, Don Taylor, Arthur Franz, Darryl Hickman, Peggy Webber, Moroney Olsen, Jerry Paris.
Directed by John Farrow.

Submarine Command is a routine film from the early 1950s. It teamed William Holden with Nancy Olsen. They had appeared the year before in Sunset Boulevard and were to appear in two other thrillers, Union Station and Force of Arms.

The film is set in the aftermath of World War Two but also in the beginning of the Korean War. William Holden as a submarine lieutenant-commander narrates the story, his sense of failure and responsibility for the death of the previous commander of the submarine. The film goes back to action on 14 August 1945, the day the war with Japan ended – and an exercise which led to the deaths of two men from the submarine. He is tormented by this for years as he marries Nancy Olsen, as he works in navy headquarters, as he is challenged by William Bendix as the sailor Boyer. Don Taylor also appears as a casual and genial friend who becomes a lecturer at the naval academy.

As his marriage begins to break down, Holden contemplates leaving the navy. However, with the outbreak of the Korean War, he gets another opportunity to command the submarine, go into action, redeem himself – and receive acclamation from Bendix.

The film was directed by John Farrow who made a number of direct action films during the 40s and 50s. His final film was a naval film, with much greater ambitions, John Paul Jones.

1.The popularity of this kind of service film? War action? The 1950s? The aftermath of World War Two? The outbreak of the Korean War? Morale-boosting? Anti-communist stances?

2.Black and white photography, the tribute to the navy, the film made on actual ships? The sense of authenticity? The musical score? The song background, ‘To Each His Own’?

3.The structure of the film: the visit of Ken White to the submarine, his voice-over, memories, his tribute to Joshua Rice? The flashbacks? The episode at the end of the war? The aftermath? His marriage, his work in the office, his discontent, feelings of guilt? The return to the present? The possibility of changing his job, orders from the navy, his new command, going into action, redeeming himself, even though he lost the Tiger Shark?

4.William Holden as Ken White, strong presence, determination, his inexperience on the submarine, his decision to save the submarine and let the two men die? The day of the war ending? The reaction of his officers? The rescue of Peter Morris and his support? Lieutenant Carlson and his support? Boyer and his constant criticism, his refusal to shake hands?

5.Ken White, meeting with Carol, Peter Morris and the continued friendship? His going to see the Rice family? Their explaining that he did the right thing? His marriage, the years passing, the desk job, his discontent, his outbursts, meeting Boyer again, his anger with Peter Morris, his anger with Carol?

6.Carol, her skills, patience, marriage, love for Ken? Friendship with Peter? Trying to get the outside job? The clash, her card to him on the submarine, reunited with him?

7.The action, the rescue mission, the dangers, the helicopters, the Japanese, the bombardment, the sinking of the submarine? White saving his men? Boyer in action, his praise of White?

8.The navy background, the personnel, the different personalities, the interactions, administration of the navy? The tradition of the submarines?