On H List of Movie Reviews
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Hellcats of the Navy (1957)
Rate:
5
Viewed:
4/25
4/25:
Hellcats of the Navy is a unique Hollywood picture featuring thespians who'll go on to be U.S.
President and First Lady.
That's the only reason to see it. Nonetheless, the story is average with unexciting action. I can't help but
think how much better Run Silent, Run Deep was, having been released
one year later. Ditto for The Enemy Below.
If the Navy made a regular showing of Hellcats of the Navy to its audience back then,
that's fine by me. To be fair, the second half is better, being more clear in the objective of
the mission.
I hate to say this, but star power does matter. It's largely the reason why
Run Silent, Run Deep worked by having Clark Gable and Burt
Lancaster on board. Ronald Reagan simply doesn't have it. He thinks character can be easily created by raising
his left eyebrow. On the other hand, forget Nancy Davis; she stinks. By the way, yes...that's the guy himself
at the beginning of the film: Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
All in all, there are better submarine pictures than Hellcats of the Navy.