Post by rickthelibrarian on Oct 20, 2008 17:58:25 GMT -5
Possibly one of the "landmark" motion pictures on Bataan was the movie of the same name, produced in 1943 by Tay Garnett. It used elements of an older movie, "The Lost Patrol" (1934).
In making the movie, it was realized that it could not have a happy ending. The producers settled for one that showed the spirit of sacrifice and gritty determination in a small 13-man patrol, which was tasked with stopping the Japanese from taking a bridge.
The movie had an all-star cast. Most of the players were either current stars, or would soon become stars. Among the cast were Robert Taylor, Lloyd Nolan, Thomas Mitchell, George Murphy, two young stars, Desi Arnez and Robert Walker, Barry Nelson and other well-known stars.
The movie was somewhat ahead of it's time, showing minorities in a favorable light (one black, Kenneth Spencer was featured) and two Filipino characters, Roque Espiritu, as Cpl. Juan Katigbak and Alex Havier and Yankee Salazar.
The entire film was made on a sound stage, with good use of miniatures. The plot concerns how, one by one, the characters are killed defending the bridge, until only Robert Taylor, having dug his own grave, ends the movie, shooting a machine gun at the advancing Japanese.
I was interested that the real units on Bataan were mentioned. The 192nd Tank Battalion, 26th Cavalry, and other Bataan units were given by the characters in the "sound off" scene towards the start of the movie.
"Bataan" often lands on the "10 best" list of WWII movies and sometimes on the list of greatest war movies of all time. I saw the movie several times while growing up, and credit the film with sparking my interest on this subject.
I have collected a number of movie stills that I'd like to share with you.
1) Three of the stars of the movie - Lloyd Nolan, playing a typical "bad boy" role, Thomas Mitchell, famed character actor, playing Cpl. Jake Feingold, the old, wise soldier, who rarely gets excited. Finally, Robert Taylor and Sgt. Bill Dane, who picks up command of the patrol after the captain is killed.
2) Here's a photo of a drawing made out of the picture above, of Nolan, Mitchell and Taylor.
3) A still showing Robert Taylor as sergeant Bill Dane
4) Another costume still of Robert Walker as beached sailor Leonard Purckett.
5) Sgt Dane and Cpl Todd enjoy a quite moment while cleaning their Thompson SMGs. Dane suspects that Todd is not who he says he is.
6) George Murphy (r.) played Lt. Steve Bentley, a pilot trying to get his damaged plane back in the air. Known as a mainly as a dancer, Murphy was elected senator from California in 1964. The machine gun pictured is a rare American Model 1915 Vickers machine gun, which was standard just before U.S. entry into WWI. As a rule, equipment and weapons used in the movie were acurate, except for the lack of M1s (which were being used for other purposes in 1943! )
7) A graveside scene when Captain Lassiter, killed by a Japanese sniper, was buried. From, left to right is Robert Walker, Robert Taylor (I think!), Frank Spencer and medic Matthew Hardy (Phillip Terry), who claimed to be a CO - note the .45 he is carrying.
8) a "charge!" scene, which did not actually take place in the movie. The photo is slightly out of focus (note how clear the sandbags are). Featured from l. to r. are George Murphy and Lee Bowan (as Capt. Henry Lassiter) sporting Thompsons; Thomas Mitchell, Robert Taylor and Lloyd Nolan with '03s.
9) On the back of the "charge" movie still, I found this inscription, apparently to Lloyd Nolan. Michael Mikicel, as best I can figure, is a big-time movie afficienado and collector.
10) Corporal Todd, stabbed in the back by a "dead" Japanese soldier, reveals to Sgt Dane his real idnetity. Note the correct M1910 bayonet scabbard Dane (Taylor) is wearing.
11) The cast of "Bataan" takes a little break, still in costume, and kids around with co-star Desi Arnez' beautiful wife, who would be known 10 years later as the star (with Arnez) of "I Love Lucy", Lucille Ball. Identifiable in the picture are Robert Taylor, Barry Nelson, and Roque Espiritu (top) and Thomas Mitchell and George Murphy.
Although far from perfect, "Bataan" was a fine testimonial to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who defended Bataan in real life.
In making the movie, it was realized that it could not have a happy ending. The producers settled for one that showed the spirit of sacrifice and gritty determination in a small 13-man patrol, which was tasked with stopping the Japanese from taking a bridge.
The movie had an all-star cast. Most of the players were either current stars, or would soon become stars. Among the cast were Robert Taylor, Lloyd Nolan, Thomas Mitchell, George Murphy, two young stars, Desi Arnez and Robert Walker, Barry Nelson and other well-known stars.
The movie was somewhat ahead of it's time, showing minorities in a favorable light (one black, Kenneth Spencer was featured) and two Filipino characters, Roque Espiritu, as Cpl. Juan Katigbak and Alex Havier and Yankee Salazar.
The entire film was made on a sound stage, with good use of miniatures. The plot concerns how, one by one, the characters are killed defending the bridge, until only Robert Taylor, having dug his own grave, ends the movie, shooting a machine gun at the advancing Japanese.
I was interested that the real units on Bataan were mentioned. The 192nd Tank Battalion, 26th Cavalry, and other Bataan units were given by the characters in the "sound off" scene towards the start of the movie.
"Bataan" often lands on the "10 best" list of WWII movies and sometimes on the list of greatest war movies of all time. I saw the movie several times while growing up, and credit the film with sparking my interest on this subject.
I have collected a number of movie stills that I'd like to share with you.
1) Three of the stars of the movie - Lloyd Nolan, playing a typical "bad boy" role, Thomas Mitchell, famed character actor, playing Cpl. Jake Feingold, the old, wise soldier, who rarely gets excited. Finally, Robert Taylor and Sgt. Bill Dane, who picks up command of the patrol after the captain is killed.
2) Here's a photo of a drawing made out of the picture above, of Nolan, Mitchell and Taylor.
3) A still showing Robert Taylor as sergeant Bill Dane
4) Another costume still of Robert Walker as beached sailor Leonard Purckett.
5) Sgt Dane and Cpl Todd enjoy a quite moment while cleaning their Thompson SMGs. Dane suspects that Todd is not who he says he is.
6) George Murphy (r.) played Lt. Steve Bentley, a pilot trying to get his damaged plane back in the air. Known as a mainly as a dancer, Murphy was elected senator from California in 1964. The machine gun pictured is a rare American Model 1915 Vickers machine gun, which was standard just before U.S. entry into WWI. As a rule, equipment and weapons used in the movie were acurate, except for the lack of M1s (which were being used for other purposes in 1943! )
7) A graveside scene when Captain Lassiter, killed by a Japanese sniper, was buried. From, left to right is Robert Walker, Robert Taylor (I think!), Frank Spencer and medic Matthew Hardy (Phillip Terry), who claimed to be a CO - note the .45 he is carrying.
8) a "charge!" scene, which did not actually take place in the movie. The photo is slightly out of focus (note how clear the sandbags are). Featured from l. to r. are George Murphy and Lee Bowan (as Capt. Henry Lassiter) sporting Thompsons; Thomas Mitchell, Robert Taylor and Lloyd Nolan with '03s.
9) On the back of the "charge" movie still, I found this inscription, apparently to Lloyd Nolan. Michael Mikicel, as best I can figure, is a big-time movie afficienado and collector.
10) Corporal Todd, stabbed in the back by a "dead" Japanese soldier, reveals to Sgt Dane his real idnetity. Note the correct M1910 bayonet scabbard Dane (Taylor) is wearing.
11) The cast of "Bataan" takes a little break, still in costume, and kids around with co-star Desi Arnez' beautiful wife, who would be known 10 years later as the star (with Arnez) of "I Love Lucy", Lucille Ball. Identifiable in the picture are Robert Taylor, Barry Nelson, and Roque Espiritu (top) and Thomas Mitchell and George Murphy.
Although far from perfect, "Bataan" was a fine testimonial to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who defended Bataan in real life.