The Sea Chase

source: The Sea Chase

Trailer—The Sea Chase

The Sea Chase

It is refreshing to see a movie where the "other" side is treated as human. The story is based on fact. I am not surethat the real Capt. Ehrlich was anti-nazi, but he was a WWI kriegsmarine hero. Anyway Waynes accent not withstanding the movie is entertaining and well worth seeing.

John Wayne plays an anti-Nazi German freighter captain who feels duty bound to get his ship back to Germany after World War II breaks out. Lana Turner comes on board. She is a carrier of secrets that the Nazi's want. Of course she turns out to be Wayne's love interest as the movie progresses. After escaping from the harbor in Australia Wayne sets a course to evade the pursuing British war ships. Running out of fuel they put in to an out of the way island to cut trees for fuel. This is a little hard to believe as green trees will not burn well at all and produce a LOT of smoke. The smoke would make it easier for the chase ships to locate them, especially if there is any air search.

It is quite obvious that this film is Fiction and the plot of the story or the actual directional course this ship is sailing is in correct. Hollywood wanted the public to view John Wayne and Lana Turner together on a cargo ship with only men and no women aboard. John Wayne (Capt. Karl Ehrlich),"Sands of Iwo Jima",'49, was a great Captain who really did not want a women on board his vessel. However, he had no choice but to take Lana Turner, (Elsa Keller),"The Postman Always Rings Twice",'46 along for the very uncomfortable cruise. Tab Hunter(Cadet Wesser), "Damn Yankees",'58, played a very young pretty boy who ran into some serious problems in the water and on the ship. There was lots of chopping of wood and James Arness,(Schlieter),"Gunsmoke",TV Series, gave a great supporting role as a sailor who did not necessarily get along with Capt. Ehrlich. If you love John Wayne and Lana Turner all very young looking, you just might enjoy this rather long drawn out cruise.

It's the outbreak of World War II and John Wayne plays a German (!) freighter captain trying to get his ship from Australia back to Germany with the British in pursuit. On board he has a sexy spy, played by Lana Turner. This is an odd role for Duke that I'm surprised he took. His character is anti-Nazi but still he's playing a German fleeing the British and trying to take his ship back to Nazi Germany. And he does have at least one Nazi on board. Perhaps he really wanted to work with Lana Turner. Can't say I blame any man for that. But that part of the film falls flat as the two have poor chemistry. Lana's beautiful, though, with her platinum blonde hair looking perfect at all times. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces with Paul Fix and Dick Davalos giving standout performances. The biggest flaw is that it's not a terribly exciting film. For a movie centered around a chase, it's awfully slow.

This film is purely for entertainment and not of any historical background. Still, navy/sea warfare buffs will enjoy the story of the pursuit by a British destroyer of a German merchant ship across several oceans. The cast is so-so but with the "Duke" (John Wayne) in the lead role the story manages to limp along with some degree of success. The "destroyer" used in the film is in fact HMCS New Glasgow, a frigate then in service with the Royal Canadian Navy. I saw the movie shortly after it's release in 1955 while in my mid-teens; a number of years later I served on New Glasgow and recalled the part played by the ship and crew in the film. Shows how Hollywood will use any "prop" available to fill in scenes. The crew never did get any extra pay for their appearance (nor did the ship)but at least they have the satisfaction of knowing the true identity of the "destroyer." Despite all the above the film is good viewing and will be of interest to many.

A very strange cast; very confusing story line; but a very good fox chasing the hound on the war time seas. John Wayne is a disgruntled German freighter captain that only wants to get his ship to safe port at the beginning of World War II. Not believing the ideals of Hitler, Wayne and his volunteer sailors set course for Norway. Pretending allegiance to Germany, Wayne must transport a beautiful spy(Lana Turner)to safety. The freighter must out run a determined British Commander(David Farrar)who has personal reasons to catch Wayne and his special cargo. Diverse supporting cast includes: Lyle Bettger, James Arness, Tab Hunter and John Qualen. Action movies on the bounding sea always fascinate me. This is fun movie to watch.

My John Wayne Marathon continues. This is one of those Wayne movies that might fit in on a double bill with Chained Heat. It is not one of his better efforts, but it is still watchable. John Wayne as a German might be a stretch, but it still features a strong woman part by Lana Turner, and a good supporting cast, including Paul Fix (Giant) as a former soldier turned cook, Lyle Bettger (The Lone Ranger) as a borderline psycho first officer, and James Arness (Gunsmoke) as a crewman frustrated to the point of near-mutiny. It's a pretty good yarn about sailors wanting to go home.