Abroad with Two Yanks

Plot

Arriving in Australia after the Battle of Guadalcanal, two Flagg and Quirt type American Marines compete with each other by stealing the other's Australian girlfriend. Their intense rivalry leads to their arrest and escape from confinement dressed as women.

Cast

William Bendix as Cpl. Biff Koraski
Helen Walker as Joyce Stuart
Dennis O'Keefe as Cpl. Jeff Reardon
John Loder as Sgt. Cyril North
George Cleveland as Roderick Stuart
Janet Lambert as Alice
James Flavin as Sgt. Wiggins
Arthur Hunnicutt as Arkie

Production

The film was originally announced as one of Hal Roach's Streamliners titled Yanks Down Under starring William Bendix. Due to Hal Roach's contract for filming training films for the American Army, the film and Bendix's commitment to it was sold to producer Edward Small with Roach employee Fred Guiol to be credited as a producer. The film was the end of Roach's arrangement with United Artists.

Anna Lee was meant to play the female lead but she was replaced prior to shooting by Helen Walker.

The film was also known as Waltzing Matilda prior to shooting. O'Keefe did it under a two-picture deal with Edward Small.

Reception

Reviews were strong. Response was positive enough for Edward Small to announce a sequel Two Yanks in Paris. However no film resulted.

The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 9, 1945, with William Bendix and Dennis O'Keefe reprising their film roles with Marjorie Reynolds in Helen Walker's role.

Hedy Lamarr took a photo with Bendix and O'Keefe around the making of the film which Small subsequently issued. Lamarr then sued Small for damages.

Quotes

"A bunch of Marines have been doing their stuff,
You can tell by their clothes that the going was tough;
After chasing the Japs right into the sea,
They head for Australia for crumpets and tea."