To the Shores of Tripoli

Plot

Titled after a lyric in the Marines' Hymn, which contains the phrase "... to the shores of Tripoli" (which is, itself, a reference to the Battle of Derne) the film is one of the last of the pre-Pearl Harbor service films. When the film was in post-production the Pearl Harbor attack occurred having the studio shoot a new ending where Payne re-enlists.

Wealthy Culver Military Academy drop-out and playboy Chris Winters (John Payne) enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps as a private where he meets his drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Dixie Smith (Randolph Scott) and falls in love with a Navy nurse, Lieutenant Mary Carter (Maureen O'Hara). Smith is given a letter from Winters' father. Captain Christopher Winters (Minor Watson) writes Smith of his playboy son. Sgt. Smith served in World War I under the elder Winters (Minor Watson); Smith affectionately calls Winters "The Skipper". Chris Winters can not understand that Officers and Enlisted Men do not associate under the non-fraternization policy, even if the officer is a woman and the enlisted man is a male.

Chris' society girlfriend Helene Hunt (Nancy Kelly) wants Chris to get a cushy civilian job in Washington, D.C. and uses her uncle's power and her influence on the base commander, General Gordon (John Hamilton). In sequences filmed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Smith gives the younger Winters an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership potential by drilling his platoon. To Smith's amusement the Marines mock Chris and perform slapstick antics during the drill as Winters marches them away. As Smith is enjoying himself the platoon marches back and performs close order drill of a high order of perfection. Smith is greatly surprised until he looks over the platoon and notices several Marines have black eyes, chipped teeth and bruises. Chris Winters says, "I was captain of the boxing team at Culver."

Winters is selected for Sea School and on gunnery practice during naval maneuvers he bravely saves Dixie Smith's life when repairing gunnery targets. Chris picks a fight with Smith. However, Smith claimed he struck the first blow, by being busted in rank Smith will save Chris from the Naval Prison. Despite winning the respect of Dixie Smith and his fellow Marines, Chris decides to leave the Marines. But then he hears the news of the Pearl Harbor attack when driving in a car with Helene. His way is blocked by his old platoon marching to a Navy transport ship. Chris Winters runs to Sgt. Dixie Smith to reenlist; Chris enters the ranks that close up as he dresses in his old uniform from his satchel, he tosses away his civilian clothes and is in uniform except for his two-toned shoes. Chris's proud father, wounded in World War I, asks his son to "Get a Jap for me".

Cast

Production

George Raft was meant to star but could not get released from Warner Bros. John Payne was going to star in Song of the Islands but was assigned to this movie instead; Victor Mature replaced Payne on Islands.

The original planned ending was a simple romantic coupling with Maureen O'Hara's Navy nurse, but after Pearl Harbor, it switched to John Payne signing up for war.

Portions of the film were shot at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Reception

Contemporary reviews were generally positive. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times expressed disappointment in the film, calling it "a compound of familiar cliches ... If this film is a fair estimation of Marine discipline and tradition, then wire Congress. For, with typical cinematic license, it assumes that one arrogant kid, protected by a sergeant's strange sentiment, could violate every rule in the book. Further, it does not lay emphasis upon a genuine esprit de corps. Contrary to military nature, the Marines fall in around a self-willed lad." Variety, however, wrote that the film "has landed well up to the front of the series of army, navy and air corps features which are doing good business, helped no little by current events ... Payne and Scott make an entertaining pair of fighters." Harrison's Reports called it "A fine picture ... The direction and acting are of high standard." Film Daily wrote: "No finer masterpiece of raw, red-blooded, thumping action has come out of Hollywood's studios." John Mosher of The New Yorker found that the target practice scenes had "a quiet charm" and wrote that "No one could look more military than Randolph Scott."

The Marines credit the movie as the biggest single recruitment aid in 1942. In 1940, before Pearl Harbor, there were only 19,400 Marines; when WWII ended there were 485,052 Marines and this number was subsequently reduced to 77,000 as the USA de-mobilized.

Though a critical and financial success, author Leon Uris ridicules the film in his reaction of Marines who see it in Battle Cry.