Pavillon de combat

This is a biopic about Admiral John Hoskins. The movie looks more like a war (or navy recruitment) propaganda than a drama. It's amazing Sterling Hayden can go through 1h 43 min with the same facial expression and wooden acting style. He portrayed the guy as a total jerk (maybe it was true...) I agreed more with his critics in the movie than himself. Especially his antics during the construction of new Princeton were terrible. If I were one of the engineers working on the dockyard I'd kill him. As for the directing, the narrative is pretty flat and devoid of tension. The war scenes are unimpressive and cursory. The only quasi-drama happens when he fights against those who want his retirement and is short-lived. The rest is a documentary style slow-paced storytelling. Perhaps, the only redeeming quality of the movie is its sporadic attempts for making a statement for the disabled.

A reasonably prestigious production for Republic Pictures, well-photographed by John L. Russell (best remembered for shooting 'Psycho'). The first of two films based by William Wister Haines on factual tales of the rehabilitation of a disabled ex-serviceman. Next came 'The Wings of Eagles', which John Wayne spent most of in traction. Here a dashing Sterling Hayden simply saunters into the Korean War walking with an occasional limp; his biggest struggle involving office politics rather than his disability. (The part being too brief and homely to interest President of Republic Herbert Yates' wife Vera Hruba Ralston, his loyal wife is instead played by Alexis Smith; a much more interesting actress as she got older but sadly by then largely lost to films.)

For John H. Auer, a triumph. A simple tale, yet profound. Of a real person, facing challenges. John Madison Hoskins, United States Navy, (1898-1964) For Sterling Hayden, as John Hoskins, a wonderful performance, as in all his films. Well supported by Alexis Smith as Mrs Hoskins. Dean Jagger adds another role to his illustrious career, as Thomas L. Semple. Ben Cooper as 'Zuggy' Zugbaum. Ben Cooper, never got the acclaim, for his various characterizations, I believe he deserved. Various costars, Virginia Grey, Hayden Rorke, Douglas Kennedy and Willis Bouchey give good support. Real naval personnel are portrayed. Such as Arthur Dewey Struble. And William F. 'Bull' Halsey.