La escuadra suicida

This film is much better than other reviewers would lead you to believe. If you're a fan of Robert Armstrong, James Gleason and early Ginger Rodgers as I am that would be almost enough. The three guys and a gal plot may seem old now but it wasn't then. It's carried off pretty well here. I appreciated the views of 1930 New York including Luna Park at Coney Island. As far as I can tell the midway was actually filmed at an amusement park in California; it certainly added a sense of reality. I, too was confused by the 1931 clothing in a film taking place in 1917. I kept wondering what war broke out. However, such anachronisms are to be expected in almost every period film. Women's hair styles and makeup always give it away. And if Greed could carry it off wearing late 1890's clothes in 1922 crowds, why complain here?

But the naval scenes are the star here. To my knowledge they are the most extensive authentic scenes ever filmed. It's obvious that the Navy gave it's complete cooperation. Everything looked authentic because it was. I loved that the film shows the German side without prejudice (or subtitles). Frank Reicher and Henry Victor lend an air of authenticity here, too. Except for the semi-comic interludes it could have been an excellent documentary. Over all this should be better known for its appeal to World War I fans and naval historians. Look fast for Richard Alexander (Prince Baron of Flash Gordon) as a crew member with one line.

Skeets O'Reilly (James Gleason), Baltimore Clark (Bill Boyd), and Dutch Herman (Robert Armstrong) are three friends who all work on the Coney Island Boardwalk and all are in love with Sally (Ginger Rogers). WWI breaks out and the guys all enlist in the Navy.

The guys are a bit too old to start in the Navy although wartime could make them desperate enough to take older guys. Ginger is not yet twenty and doesn't get to dance. This is an interesting time on the seas. There are still sailing ships with more modern Navy ships. There are plenty of ships provided by the cooperation of the Navy. The guys try to be funny, but they're no Three Stooges. This has a bit of everything and not great at anything.

There were two sailing ships used in this film: "Bohemia" and "Indiana" Both were part of the de Mille "fleet". Both were built on the Kennebec River, at Bath, Maine, in the 1880s. The Indiana was built by and for the Sewell Family. The Bohemia was built by and for the Houghton Bros. and sailed for them until 1897, when she was sold to Alaska Packers. Bohemia sailed the West Coast for 20 years before acquired by Hollywood.

Bohemia was used in "Wreck of the Hesperus", "Blood Ship" and "Yankee Clipper", all 1927. ("Yankee Clipper" also starred "Indiana"; William Boyd and his real-life Wife, Eleanor Fair.)Bohemia is the ship destroyed in "Suicide Fleet".

One of the "four-piper" destroyers used in "Suicide Fleet" was built by Bath Iron Works, which bought the former Houghton yard during World War I.

This is not a great movie, but it has some great shots of post World War I-era four-stacker destroyers, submarines, and three-masted wooden sailing ships that play combatant. A young Ginger Rogers is the love interest in a fairly hokey plot but I am glad that I watched it. The future Hopalong Cassidy plays the hero as a recalled to active duty Chief Petty Officer. Based upon a book by an active duty Navy Commander.

Aerial footage of DD345 "U.S.S. PREBLE" (commissioned 3-19-20) while running at flank speed and turning from side to side and while airplane which is photographing bow-on goes from starboard to port and back again a couple of times.