{"id":74938,"date":"2021-08-08T11:46:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-08T18:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74938"},"modified":"2021-12-17T13:42:44","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T20:42:44","slug":"wake-island-1942","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74938","title":{"rendered":"Wake Island (1942)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Boys, the honeymoon&#8217;s over. From now on you&#8217;re Marines.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster-199x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-74944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster-199x300.png 199w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster-680x1024.png 680w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster-85x128.png 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster-179x270.png 179w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Poster.png 725w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nJust before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Major Caton (Brian Donlevy) arrives at the Pacific atoll of Wake Island ready to command his forces. On the island, he finds a pair of trouble-making privates &#8212; Doyle (Robert Preston) and Randall (William Bendix) &#8212; with Randall eager to head home. However, Japanese aggression quickly ensues, and it&#8217;s up to everyone on the island &#8212; including a fighter pilot (Macdonald Carey) whose wife was killed on Pearl Harbor, and a grumpy military contractor (Albert Dekker) &#8212; to pitch in and help.\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>Brian Donlevy Films<\/li>\n<li>Military<\/li>\n<li>Robert Preston Films<\/li>\n<li>William Bendix Films<\/li>\n<li>World War II<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nJohn Farrow directed this harrowing but inspirational look at the events that transpired on tiny Wake Island<\/a> just as the U.S. formally entered World War II. With the first draft of the screenplay completed before we knew what the ultimate outcome was, this film remains an impressive attempt to show what Americans early in the war effort were up against. As described in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/wake-island\/review\/2000115878\/\">TV Guide&#8217;s review<\/a>: <\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The heroic but doomed defense of Wake Island against the Japanese in the opening days of WWII provided the basis for this slightly fictionalized, immensely popular flag-waver that garnered several Academy Award nominations. A perfect example of Hollywood&#8217;s contribution to the war effort, the film demonstrated that even in defeat there was victory, and provided needed inspiration for a nation reeling from loss after loss at the hands of the Japanese.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The fictionalized characters <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/fkCti6VBhRM\">bear enough resemblance to who and what was actually on the island<\/a> &#8212; a garrison of 449 Marines, a handful of sailors, a few Wildcat fighter planes, and 1,221 civilian construction workers &#8212; to make the narrative feel plausible, and the cinematography and battle sequences are impressive. This one isn&#8217;t must-see, but remains worth a look for its historical relevance as a morale booster. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brian Donlevy as Major Caton<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy-1024x760.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"475\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-74946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy-1024x760.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy-364x270.png 364w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Donlevy.png 1370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2-1024x772.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"483\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-74945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2-768x579.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2-358x270.png 358w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Cinematography2.png 1367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Powerful fighting sequences<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-74947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Soldiers.png 1367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial-1024x770.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-74948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial-1024x770.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial-768x578.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial-359x270.png 359w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Wake-Island-Aerial.png 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s worth a one-time look and of course is must-see for fans of WWII-era battle films. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0035530\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/historyonfilm.com\/wake-island\/\">History on Film <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/wake-island\/review\/2000115878\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailersfromhell.com\/wake-island\/\">Trailers From Hell Review <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1942\/09\/02\/archives\/the-screen-wake-island-a-stirring-tribute-to-the-united-states.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Boys, the honeymoon&#8217;s over. From now on you&#8217;re Marines.&#8221; Synopsis: Just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Major Caton (Brian Donlevy) arrives at the Pacific atoll of Wake Island ready to command his forces. On the island, he finds a pair of trouble-making privates &#8212; Doyle (Robert Preston) and Randall (William Bendix) &#8212; with Randall eager to head home. However, Japanese aggression quickly ensues, and it&#8217;s up to everyone on the island &#8212; including a fighter pilot (Macdonald Carey) whose&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=74938\"> 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-74938","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\/74938","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=74938"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78721,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74938\/revisions\/78721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=74938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=74938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=74938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}