Flying Leathernecks (1951)

Director: Nicholas Ray

Writers: James Edward Grang, Kenneth Gamet, Beirne Lay Jr.

Composer: Roy Webb

Starring: John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Don Taylor, Janis Carter, Jay C. Flippen, William Harrigan, James Bell, Barry Kelley, Maurice Jara, Adam Williams, James Dobson

More info: IMDb

Tagline: AIR-DEVILS OF THE SKY!

Plot: Major Kirby leads The Wildcats squadron into the historic WWII battle of Guadalcanal.

My rating: 6/10

Will I watch it again?  No.

You'd think by watching the trailer, some of the poster artwork and the title that this picture would be loaded with WWII action.  It's not.  In fact, there's very little action and that's a problem.  The romance stuff doesn't figure in much, which is good, but in this film any of it is too much.  On top of that, it's not all that enjoyable.  There's a good bit of by the numbers war drama which I expect in flicks of that kind from this era (and from John Wayne war pictures) but there's so little action that I feel like I was duped into thinking that was one thing when it's clearly another.   It's disappointing to say the least.  But then it's not a bad movie.  The actors do a fine job and no one is phoning it in.  Wayne, when he gives more than a rat's ass, does a good job as does Ryan but there's nothing all that exciting going on.  The Warner Bros. DVD looks great and the sole extra is the theatrical trailer.