Action in the North Atlantic (1943)

65% of users liked it
(543 ratings)

Action in the North Atlantic is solid wartime propaganda with a rather endearing inner lining of left-wing politics, courtesy (no doubt) of scenarist John Howard Lawson, who based his screenplay on a novel by maritime specialist Guy Gilpatric. While running war goods to America's Russian allies, a… More Action in the North Atlantic is solid wartime propaganda with a rather endearing inner lining of left-wing politics, courtesy (no doubt) of scenarist John Howard Lawson, who based his screenplay on a novel by maritime specialist Guy Gilpatric. While running war goods to America's Russian allies, a merchant marine ship captained by Raymond Massey is torpedoed. The courage of Massey and his first mate Humphrey Bogart serves as an inspiration to the survivors, who manage to navigate their tiny lifeboat to America, where they are lauded as heroes. After only the briefest of compassionate leaves (Massey is reunited with wife Ruth Gordon, while Bogart strikes up a relationship with Julie Bishop), the crew is assigned a new Liberty Ship. Despite fears of being torpedoed again, Massey, Bogart, and the other men successfully bring their cargo to Russia, shooting down several German planes in the process. As the Americans are cheered on by the smiling, well-fed Russian seamen and peasants, Action in the North Atlantic fades out, with the voice of Franklin D. Roosevelt (actually radio announcer Art Gilmore) heard on the soundtrack encouraging a "United Nations" allegiance against the axis. The supporting cast of Action in the North Atlantic includes a young newcomer by the name of Bernard Zanville, whose billing was changed to "Dane Clark" upon the film's release. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 7 min.
Directed By: Lloyd Bacon
Written By: John Howard Lawson
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 12, 1943 Wide
On DVD: Oct 24, 2006

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Bogart makes this WWII salute to the Merchant Marine more enjoyable than it has the right to be.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Exciting formulaic war propaganda sea story.

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Cast

            Humphrey Bogart as Joe Rossi

            Raymond Massey as Capt. Steve Jarvis

            Ruth Gordon as Mrs. Jarvis

            Alan Hale as Boats O'Hara

            Julie Bishop as Pearl

            Sam Levene as Chips Abrams

            Dane Clark as Johnny Pulaski

            Peter Whitney as Whitey Lara

            Minor Watson as Rear Adm. Hartridge

            J.M. Kerrigan as Caviar Jinks

            Dick Hogan as Cadet Robert Parker

            Kane Richmond as Ensign Wright

            Chick Chandler as Goldberg

            George Offerman as Cecil

            Donald Douglas as Lt. Commander

            Art Foster as Pete Larson

            Ray Montgomery as Aherne

            Creighton Hale as Sparks

            Elliott Sullivan as Hennessy

            Alec Craig as McGonigle

            Ludwig Stossel as Capt. Ziemer

            Frank Puglia as Capt. Carpolis

            Iris Adrian as Jenny O'Hara

            Irving Bacon as Bartender

            James Flavin as Lieutenant Commander

            Glenn Strange as Tex Mathews

            William Von Brincken as German Sub Captain

            Dick Wessel as Cherub

            Ted Offenbecker as Cecil
See full cast

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