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They Were Expendable
TITLE DETAILS

They Were Expendable

1945-12-07 · 135 min · ★ 6.5

Drama · War

After a demonstration of new PT boats, Navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.

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Production details

Directors
John Ford
Production companies
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Countries
United States of America
Status
Released

Top Cast

Robert MontgomeryRobert MontgomeryLt. John Brickley
John WayneJohn WayneLt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan
Donna ReedDonna ReedLt. Sandy Davyss
Jack HoltJack HoltGeneral Martin
Ward BondWard Bond"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
Marshall ThompsonMarshall ThompsonEns. 'Snake' Gardner
Paul LangtonPaul LangtonEns. 'Andy' Andrews
Leon AmesLeon AmesMajor James Morton
Arthur WalshArthur WalshSeaman Jones
Donald CurtisDonald CurtisLt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long
Cameron MitchellCameron MitchellEns. George Cross
Louis Jean HeydtLouis Jean Heydt'Ohio'
Jeff YorkJeff YorkEns. Tony Aiken
Murray AlperMurray Alper'Slug' Mahan T.M. 1c
Harry TenbrookHarry Tenbrook'Squarehead' Larsen SC 2c
Jack PennickJack Pennick'Doc'
Alex HavierAlex Havier'Benny' Lecoco ST 3c
Charles TrowbridgeCharles TrowbridgeAdmiral Blackwell
Robert BarratRobert BarratThe General
Bruce KelloggBruce KelloggElder Tompkins M.M. 2c

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