{"id":74807,"date":"2021-08-05T17:18:44","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T00:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74807"},"modified":"2022-09-25T19:01:24","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T02:01:24","slug":"guadalcanal-diary-1943","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74807","title":{"rendered":"Guadalcanal Diary (1943)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;One by one, they must be blasted from the earth that hides them.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster-205x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-74808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster-205x300.png 205w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster-701x1024.png 701w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster-88x128.png 88w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster-185x270.png 185w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Diary-Poster.png 759w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAfter landing on the seemingly deserted island of Guadalcanal, members of a Marine division &#8212; including Father Donnelly (Preston Foster), Sergeant Malone (Lloyd Nolan), Captain Davis (Richard Conte), Jesus Alvarez (Anthony Quinn), Corporal Potts (William Bendix), Sergeant Butch (Lionel Stander), and a young private nicknamed &#8216;Chicken&#8217; (Richard Jaeckel) &#8212; quickly realize they will be facing deadly, unfamiliar combat against hidden Japanese soldiers.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anthony Quinn Films<\/li>\n<li>Preston Foster Films<\/li>\n<li>Richard Conte Films<\/li>\n<li>Richard Jaeckel Films<\/li>\n<li>Soldiers<\/li>\n<li>William Bendix Films<\/li>\n<li>World War II<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nBased on a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Guadalcanal_Diary_(book)\">memoir by war correspondent Richard Tregaskis<\/a>, this depiction of the Marines&#8217; early engagement on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands features exactly what you&#8217;d expect in a movie of its kind, which was designed to reassure audiences that our troops were carrying out noble and necessary warfare, and to recruit additional volunteers for the effort. A particularly heart-breaking scene occurs near the beginning, as we see all but one Marine shot to death during an attempted foray into the village of Matanikau: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bodies-Beach2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Prominent in this sequence is Quinn, who &#8212; despite being just one among a handful of ensemble actors &#8212; stands out as notably dedicated and fearless, making comments like, &#8220;It isn&#8217;t so much dying; it&#8217;s having to sit here and take it!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn-White-Shirt-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately Bendix and Stander&#8217;s &#8220;comedic relief&#8221; is quickly tiresome:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Bendix-Stander-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and it&#8217;s clear that super-young Jaeckel (in his debut role) doesn&#8217;t have a lick of acting experience behind him (though he sure is a cutie!): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74818\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Jaeckel-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Overall, however, the film comes across as a reasonably effective, action-filled war flick showing the types of challenging scenarios our boys faced in the Pacific arena. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Be forewarned that Japanese soldiers are referred to in various derogatory terms of the time, and shown to be sneaky and relentless in their efforts. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anthony Quinn as &#8220;Soose&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Quinn2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Effective sets and cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Crosses-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-74812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves.png 960w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Guadalcanal-Caves-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though of course it will be of interest to fans of this genre. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0035957\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s347war.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1943\/11\/18\/archives\/guadalcanal-diary-a-stirring-action-drama-of-the-marine-corps-with.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;One by one, they must be blasted from the earth that hides them.&#8221; Synopsis: After landing on the seemingly deserted island of Guadalcanal, members of a Marine division &#8212; including Father Donnelly (Preston Foster), Sergeant Malone (Lloyd Nolan), Captain Davis (Richard Conte), Jesus Alvarez (Anthony Quinn), Corporal Potts (William Bendix), Sergeant Butch (Lionel Stander), and a young private nicknamed &#8216;Chicken&#8217; (Richard Jaeckel) &#8212; quickly realize they will be facing deadly, unfamiliar combat against hidden Japanese soldiers. Genres, Themes, Actors, and&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74807\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=74807"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87662,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74807\/revisions\/87662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=74807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=74807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=74807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}