Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

SpunkySelfTwitter It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

jacobs-greenwood Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, Army Major Ted Lawson's autobiographical book (of the same name, co-written with Bob Considine) was turned into this above average World War II drama, which details the James Doolittle- led first bombing of Japan after Pearl Harbor, by screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. The movie won an Oscar for Best Effects, Special Effects; its B&W Cinematography was also nominated.Van Johnson plays Lawson; Spencer Tracy plays the eventual Medal of Honor recipient Doolittle, who's not really central to this story's telling about the men who volunteered for this mission that was executed just 131 days after December 7, 1941. Instead, the plot revolves around Lawson, his relationship with his pregnant bride of six months Ellen (Phyllis Thaxter), his crew which included gunner Corporal David Thatcher (Robert Walker), and their experiences before, during, and after their mission, a moral boosting success. Robert Mitchum plays a fellow Army Lieutenant pilot to Johnson's Lawson, Bob Gray, who had also been (according to the film) in the Lawsons' wedding party.The film details the secrecy of the mission, the three months of training at Elgin Air Force Base near Valparaiso, Florida (on the Gulf of Mexico, near Destin) the sixteen pilots and their crews had to go through to do something that had never been done before (fly B-25 bombers off an aircraft carrier, shortening their takeoff from 1,500 to 500 feet), their sea voyage from San Francisco to 400 miles from the Japanese coast on the U.S.S. Hornet, their titled time and mission over their targets (which were more than just Tokyo), and the aftermath which included most of the planes running out of fuel and crash landing in China (because they'd been spotted by a Japanese patrol boat, they had to launch the planes earlier than planned).Since Lawson's plane was one of these, and he and his crew, save Corporal Thatcher, were injured, the last 40+ minutes of the film details their experiences with the native Chinese, who helped them evade capture to eventually return home safely. Alan Napier plays a British missionary and Benson Fong plays a native doctor, both of whom were among those who helped the men from suffering the fate Lieutenant Commander Stephen Jurika (Leon Ames), who used to live in Japan and provided valuable targeting information for the mission, had warned them about - falling into Japanese hands. Some did, though they are only mentioned in the film.In this MGM produced movie, a brief reference is made to some valuable intelligence information which Doolittle's men received from a submarine that had infiltrated Tokyo bay prior to their bombing mission. Warner Bros. made a film called Destination Tokyo (1943) which had previously described that mission.

doctorkenisin I was on the Air Force ROTC faculty at Cal Berkeley 1966 - 70 (the quiet years). In 1967 the Doolittle Raiders were having their 25th reunion at nearby Alameda Naval Air Station. Jimmy Doolittle was a Cal grad, so we invited him to present the "Doolittle Award" which we gave to our outstanding AFROTC cadet. He accepted on one condition - no prior publicity that he was to present the award. That was both a reflection of his humble nature and the realization that if the Cal hippies knew he was to appear they would turn out in droves to protest. Our offices were in the basement of Harmon Gym. Jimmy was very nostalgic about that location. While at Cal he was a wrestler and worked out in the gym. Jimmy shared a very humorous story with us. When the war broke out Jimmy was not young. He got a telegram from a compatriot about his age asking him how they could contribute to the war effort. At the time Jummy was training for the top secret operation. He sent a telegram back telling his buddy something like: "we have to leave the war to the younger generation." Shortly after the Doolittle raid, he got another telegram from his buddy. It read simply: "You SOB." Jimmy laughed as he told the story. For the reunion he invited me and one of our cadets to join the ceremony. That involved boarding the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, sailing out under the Bay Bridges and watching aircraft doing touch and go landings. Jimmay and his raiders were on board. One of the biggest disappointments of my life was that while in our office I had my picture taken next to Jimmy. Somehow the film was lost and I never got a copy for my scrapbook. Jimmy Doolittle was a genuine Greatest Generation hero. Courageous, humble, and patriotic. Those who were not around during World War II days cannot possibly imagine the unity that prevailed in our country. This movie captures much of that spirit. I highly recommend it, but wish they would make a movie of Jimmy's life.

wes-connors Sturdy, determined Spencer Tracy (as James "Jimmy" Doolittle) organizes the US response to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Tracy, and the film, make it obvious the Japanese stood no chance of besting our American forces. Note the number of men who respond to Mr. Tracy's repeated invitations to "drop out" of the dangerous mission. Despite Tracy's presence, the film stars Van Johnson (as Ted Lawson). Mr. Johnson's performance is, at times, reminiscent of a younger Tracy; in context, it's a little distracting. Still, Johnson essays the star-making sacrifice, begun by John Gilbert in MGM's "The Big Parade", effectively.Despite the big parade of men lining up to go fight in the actual war, MGM was able to find a great cast of available men; who were, presumably, persuaded to postpone enlisting. Among the servicemen, Robert Walker (as David Thatcher) is a clear stand-out. At home, Phyllis Thaxter (as Ellen Lawson) is sweet and refreshing. And, making the most of a small role would have to be Robert Mitchum (as Bob Gray). The story is very good, albeit heavily clichéd on film; it was based on the real Ted Lawson's story. Director Mervyn LeRoy's film version features fine music and photography. The highlight of "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" is the exciting, and well-constructed, title event.******* Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (11/15/44) Mervyn LeRoy ~ Van Johnson, Spencer Tracy, Robert Walker

pgreis This represents one of the best WWII aviation movies. Follows the crew of Doolittle's Raiders who gave the US a boost in the early dark days of WWII. Well acted, excellent cinematography (Oscar nomination). Lots of great shots of B-25s for aviation buffs. The early days of training are especially interesting as the crews try and get their aircraft off the ground in a very short distance. At that point none of them realized they would ultimately have to take their B-25s off the deck of an aircraft carrier. Based on Ted Lawson's (played by Van Johnson) autobiographical accounting of the raid in the book of the same name. Excellent acting by Van Johnson and Spencer Tracy as General Doolittle.