Released - August, 1942 

Directed By - John Farrow

Starring – Brian Donlevy (Maj. Geoffrey Caton), Macdonald Carey (Lt. Bruce Cameron), Robert Preston (Pvt. Joe Doyle), William Bendix (Pvt. Aloysius K. ‘Smacksie’ Randall).

Description – In the early part of World War II, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States military base at Wake Island is under seige by the Japanese army. This is the story of the small garrison of Marines and civilian contractors assigned to hold the island.

Severely out-numbered, and with no hope of supplies or reinforcements, it is only a matter of time before they are no longer able to hold on.

This is an exciting action-packed film that is based on a true story and one of the first American films made about World War II

NOTABLE: This motion picture was nominated for four Academy Awards; Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (William Bendix), Best Director (John Farrow), and Best Writing, Original Screenplay.

Paramount Studio began the production of this film even before the real battle of Wake Island was over.

Although Hollywood portrayed this gallant Marine company as having fought to the death in a History Channel special  the real survivors referred to this film as a great work of fiction.

Wake Island

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Released – August, 1940 

Directed By - Preston Sturges

Starring – Brian Donlevy (Daniel ‘Dan’ McGinty), Muriel Angelus (Catherine McGinty), Akim Tamiroff (The Boss), Allyn Joslyn (George), William Demarest (The Politician).

Description – A tramp, Dan McGinty, is tricked into voting under a false name in a crooked mayoral election 37 times for $2.00.  Impressing a political boss, McGinty is made his ‘protege’ and as a ‘reform candidate’ is himself elected mayor.

However, in an effort to give the appearance of a family man, Dan is married to Catherine.  Once married, Dan and Catherine fall in love and the dishonest facade begins to fade as Catherine urges Dan to use his office for some actual good.

A very funny political satire.

NOTABLE: This film won the Oscar for Best Writing Original Screenplay.

Preston Sturges, who also wrote the screenplay, sold the rights to the story and screenplay to Paramount for the sum of $10.00, provided that he direct the film.

Akim Tamiroff as The Boss was the inspiration for the cartoon character Boris Badenov of The
Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

Included in The Preston Sturges The Filmmaker Collection

Preston Sturges – The Filmmaker Collection (Sullivan’s Travels/The Lady Eve/The Palm Beach Story/Hail the Conquering Hero/The Great McGinty/Christmas in July/The Great Moment)

Enjoy browsing the Hollywood Movie Memories Film Store