Griff Lees
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Janis
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Uriah43
Immediately after the United States enters World War 1 against Germany, three men from Coney Island by the names of "Baltimore" (William Boyd), "Dutch" (Robert Armstrong) and "Skeets" (James Gleason) enlist in the U.S. Navy and leave behind a young woman named "Sally" (Ginger Rogers) who each of them have fallen in love with. Unfortunately, Sally only loves one of them so the other two Dutch and Skeets) do their best to keep them apart by deceiving Baltimore about Sally's true affection for him. However, although Baltimore falls for their deception, they soon discover that he has his own plans for them as well--and his involves a deception towards the German Navy. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a comedy which had a bit of slapstick humor here and there but otherwise I didn't really see much humor in it. Of course, this film was produced over 80 years ago when budgets were rather strained so perhaps it deserves a bit more slack. Be that as it may, although it wasn't a great film by any means, I didn't think it was necessarily that bad either and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Average.
MartinHafer
"Suicide Fleet" is an amazingly dull film about three guys (two of which are real jerks) in the US Navy. All three (William Boyd, James Gleason and Robert Armstrong) are in the navy and are infatuated with a young lady (Ginger Rogers). However, she loves Boyd and the other two spend much of the movie lying to their 'friend' and trying to steal the girl for themselves. These antics were very tedious and the chemistry between these three is quite poor--making it difficult to like them or care about them.The three eventually volunteer for special duty about a sailing ship that looks similar to a German one that has been disguising itself as a Norwegian fishing boat. The plan is that when the subs come to refuel and be refitted, they'll alert the American fleet to intercept them. Despite a fairly interesting plot, the film suffers from uninspired acting, dull characters and a need for more action. I've seen quite a few other military films made in the 1930s--most of which were frankly a lot more interesting than this one. Aside from a chance to see Ginger Rogers before her big Hollywood makeover or Boyd before he re-created himself as Hopalong Cassidy, there isn't a lot to recommend this one.
Al Westerfield
This film is much better than other reviewers would lead you to believe. If you're a fan of Robert Armstrong, James Gleason and early Ginger Rodgers as I am that would be almost enough. The three guys and a gal plot may seem old now but it wasn't then. It's carried off pretty well here. I appreciated the views of 1930 New York including Luna Park at Coney Island. As far as I can tell the midway was actually filmed at an amusement park in California; it certainly added a sense of reality. I, too was confused by the 1931 clothing in a film taking place in 1917. I kept wondering what war broke out. However, such anachronisms are to be expected in almost every period film. Women's hair styles and makeup always give it away. And if Greed could carry it off wearing late 1890's clothes in 1922 crowds, why complain here? But the naval scenes are the star here. To my knowledge they are the most extensive authentic scenes ever filmed. It's obvious that the Navy gave it's complete cooperation. Everything looked authentic because it was. I loved that the film shows the German side without prejudice (or subtitles). Frank Reicher and Henry Victor lend an air of authenticity here, too. Except for the semi-comic interludes it could have been an excellent documentary. Over all this should be better known for its appeal to World War I fans and naval historians. Look fast for Richard Alexander (Prince Baron of Flash Gordon) as a crew member with one line.
heartfan
There were two sailing ships used in this film: "Bohemia" and "Indiana" Both were part of the de Mille "fleet". Both were built on the Kennebec River, at Bath, Maine, in the 1880s. The Indiana was built by and for the Sewell Family. The Bohemia was built by and for the Houghton Bros. and sailed for them until 1897, when she was sold to Alaska Packers. Bohemia sailed the West Coast for 20 years before acquired by Hollywood.Bohemia was used in "Wreck of the Hesperus", "Blood Ship" and "Yankee Clipper", all 1927. ("Yankee Clipper" also starred "Indiana"; William Boyd and his real-life Wife, Eleanor Fair.)Bohemia is the ship destroyed in "Suicide Fleet".One of the "four-piper" destroyers used in "Suicide Fleet" was built by Bath Iron Works, which bought the former Houghton yard during World War I.
