So Proudly We Hail! (1943)

83% of users liked it
(313 ratings)

Paramount's So Proudly We Hail, like MGM's Cry Havoc, is a tribute to the Red Cross nurses trapped behind enemy lines in the early days of the Pacific war. Claudette Colbert is the self-sacrificing head nurse, struggling to minister to the wounded and to keep her staff (including Paulette Goddard,… More Paramount's So Proudly We Hail, like MGM's Cry Havoc, is a tribute to the Red Cross nurses trapped behind enemy lines in the early days of the Pacific war. Claudette Colbert is the self-sacrificing head nurse, struggling to minister to the wounded and to keep her staff (including Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake and Barbara Britton, all of them giving better than usual performances) from buckling under the pressure. Taking into consideration the regular fans of the film's female cast, the producers thoughtfully include several scenes in which the ladies pursue their romantic lives. The story culminates with the fall of Bataan, ending on a resigned but optimistic note; this finale was designed to lift the spirits of the audience, which in 1943 wasn't so certain as Hollywood of final victory. So Proudly We Hail was not only effective propaganda (though not as effective as Cry Havoc), but it also enabled Paramount to introduce its new crop of male hunks--including the estimable Sonny Tufts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Mark Sandrich
Written By: Allan Scott
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 9, 1943 Limited
On DVD: May 22, 2007
Studio: Paramount Vantage

Critic Reviews

Diana Saenger, Classic Movie Guide
Not only a great melodrama but a true patriotic film that inspires and entertains.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Paramount went out of its way to deglamorize its stars, Claudette Colbert, Veronica Lake and Paulette Goddard as WWII army nurses, but even by the era's standards this well-intentioned tribute was fake, prompting critic James Agee's nasty review.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
The DVD provides a reasonably sharp looking black and white picture in the movie's original non-widescreen format.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Creates real tension, and as long as you can live with 1940s-style special effects, this is a reasonably effective war movie from the unique perspective of army nurses.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Three words: Claudette Colbert, Veronica Lake & Paulette Goddard. Oh wait, that's six words (seven if you count the "&"). Gloriously sentimental and probably the most patriotic film I've ever seen.
jay n

Ultra patriotic look at women at war in WWII. Veronica is tough as nails.

Cast

            Claudette Colbert as Lt. Janet Davidson

            Paulette Goddard as Lt. Joan O'Doul

            Veronica Lake as Lt. Olivia D'Arcy

            George Reeves as Lt. John Summers

            Barbara Britton as Lt. Rosemary Larson

            Walter Abel as Chaplain

            Sonny Tufts as Kansas

            Mary Servoss as Capt. "Ma" McGregor

            Ted Hecht as Dr. Jose Bardia

            Dick Hogan as Flight Lt. Archie McGregor

            James Bell as Col. White

            Lorna Gray as Lt. Tony Dacolli

            Dorothy Adams as Lt. Irma Emerson

            Kitty Kelly as Lt. Ethel Armstrong

            Bill Goodwin as Capt. O'Rourke

            Mary Treen as Lt. Sadie Schwartz

            Helen Lynd as Lt. Elsie Bollenbacher

            Jean Willes as Lt. Carol Johnson

            Jan Wiley as Lt. Lynne Hopkins

            Lynn Walker as Lt. Fay Leonard

            William Forrest as Major

            James Flavin as Capt. O'Brien

            Byron Foulger as Mr. Larson

            Richard Crane as Georgie Larson

            Elsa Janssen as Mrs. Larson

            James Millican as Young ensign

            Victor Kilian as Corporal

            Damian O'Flynn as 1st young doctor

            Frances Morris as Nurse

            Mimi Doyle as Nurse

            Julia Faye as Nurse

            Isabel Cooper as Filipino Nurse

            Linda Brent as Filipino Nurse

            Dr. Hugh Ho Chang as Ling Chee

            Boyd Davis as Col. Mason

            Yvonne De Carlo as Girl

            Ann Doran as Lt. Betty Peterson

            Edward Earle as Doctor

            Roy Gordon as Ship's captain

            Hazel Keener as Nurse

            John Litel as Dr. Harrison

            Jack Luden as Steward

            Hugh Prosser as Captain

            Harry Strang as Maj. Arthur

            Hank Worden as Soldier on Troop Ship

            Will Wright as Col. Clark

            Edward Dew as Capt. Lawrence

            Byron Shores as Doctor
See full cast