During WWII, Duke E. Gifford is second in command of the USS Thunderfish, a submarine which is firing off torpedoes that either explode too early or never explode at all. It's a dilemma that he'll eventually take up personally. Even more personal is his quest to win back his ex-wife, a nurse; but he'll have to win her back from a navy flier who also happens to be his commander's little brother.
Acting
Wayne's submarine commander who's somehow more emotional about torpedoes than his ex-wife.
Practical Effects
1951 submarine sets that creak convincingly under studio lighting.
Director
George Waggner
John Wayne
Duke E. Gifford
Patricia Neal
Mary Stuart
Ward Bond
John "Pop" Perry
Scott Forbes
Larry
Philip Carey
Bob Perry
Paul Picerni
Jonesy
William Campbell
Talker
Kathryn Givney
Steele
Martin Milner
Caldwell
Sam Edwards
Junior
Jack Pennick
Chief
Virginia Brissac
Sister Anna
James Flavin
SP Commander
Lewis Martin
Squad Commander
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The USS Thunderfish was fictional, but the faulty torpedo crisis was real—American subs had devastating dud rates early in WWII due to defective magnetic exploders.
Wayne made this while avoiding actual military service; his submarine commander role was part of his patriotic image rehabilitation campaign.
US
