The Enemy Below

1957 film directed by Dick Powell stars Robert Mitchum and Curt Jurgens in World War Two battle between a U.S. Navy ship and a German submarine.

Tense action film stresses the two captains, warriors who are both talented and respect their opponent's abilities.

Won special effects Oscar.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050356/

Father Goose

1964 light-hearted film from Ralph Nelson and starring Cary Grant and Leslie Caron.

Grant plays a boozy islander who is basically blackmailed into getting involved in World War Two as a plane spotter. He's somewhat content until his life is complicated by a school teacher and her female students who make his lkife miserable.

Fun for the family, but sways from comedy to war-time suspense on occaission.

Both stars are very good and the chemistry works. Grant as a boozy n'eer do well is a hoot.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058092/

A Walk in the Sun

My dad was in the 82nd Airborne during World War Two and this was his favorite war movie. He said it realistically portrayed the guys in the field. We've watched it many times together.

1945 Lewis Milestone film stars Dana Andrews and Richard Conte in the story of a U.S. battalion fighting in Italy. Takes a look at the average dog faced GIs and what they had to deal with in combat and the lulls in between firefights.

Realistic but not graphic in terms of modern films. Still compelling and human.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038235/

Captain Newman, M.D.

1963 film directed by David Miller stars Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson, and Bobby Darin.

Comedy/drama about a psychiatrist treating military personnel at an air base here in the U.S. during World War Two. Afflictions range from the silly to the intense. Eddie Albert shines as a mentally ill officer, Robert Duvall is notable, but the scene stealer is singer Bobby Darin as a corporal who relives his most traumatic combat experience.

It will make you laugh, it will make you cry (maybe) but certainly worth a peek.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056903/

Operation Petticoat

Gee, who ever thought war could be this much fun?

Made in 1959 and directed by Blake Edwards, Operation Petticoat stars Cary Grant and Tony Curtis.

Straightforward submarine commander Grant is vainly trying to get his damaged sub back to a safe port during World War Two. Complicating matters are a group of nurses who have to hitch a ride and a con-man wheeler dealer (Curtis) who actually comes in pretty handy in a pinch. Hilarious...from Curtis' shenanigans to the idea of a pink submarine limping into port. Grant and Curtis are great together.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053143/