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by Maris MacCullers

Modern Screen, December 1942

TYRONE POWER WAS a terrific surprise to the Navy men at Newport.

They'd always thought of him as being just strong enough to chase Loretta Young around a drawing room, but Ty shared jolt for jolt with them in the PT boats and acted besides. They watched him effect a make-believe rescue, 20 miles off shore in an actual combat zone, that would have claimed their complete attention. Yet Ty had to listen to shouted directions from director Archie Mayo, remember at all times where the cameras were and to keep the right expressions flitting across his face.

ANOTHER TOUGH SCENE was a crash dive sequence, in which Ty, as the last man to enter the sub, had to slam down the heavy hatch cover a few bare seconds before the rushing water closed over them. Actually, such a narrow margin of safety is against Navy regulations, but officials allowed it as dramatic license. That didn't change the fact that Ty was responsible for getting that lid in place as they dived, and after 7 or 8 rehearsals, he was getting nervous. There were no mishaps, but Mr. Power was a solid mass of black and blue marks when it was over.

THE "CRASH DIVE" TROUPE landed in Rhode Island at the height of the summer season, so they set up quarters in Jamestown. Dowagers and debs did their best to lure Power to their homes along with the rest of the actors, but Ty sent his regrets, told them he had to work. Every night he'd hunt up the kids in the little town and organize a baseball game.

WHEN ANNABELLA could get away from New York, she joined him. Then, and only then, he accepted invitations to social doings. Everyone was completely bowled over by Annabella's charm and amazed at her appetite . . . at one backyard barbecue, they watched pop-eyed while Mrs. Power delicately stowed away nine ears of corn, one right after another!

FOR THE MOST UNBELIEVABLE shots, showing a submarine submerging, a Mitchell camera, sealed in glass, was lashed to the deck to record everything that happens during a crash dive. Technicolor cameras would have been too tricky, so the old Mitchell was equipped with color film and operated from within the sub. The result, on the screen, makes you wish for some of Mothersill's sea-sickness pills. The over-the-waves views of the PT boats were filmed the same way and have the same effect.

BOTH POWER AND DANA ANDREWS were in uniform most of the time (their costume) and were kept busy saluting. It was easier than to not salute and to have to explain how come. One baffled sentry doesn't know yet how Andrews, whom he saw arrive in civilian clothes, could attain the rank of Lt. Commander in two days. He gave up completely when Dana showed up three days later in a new uniform bearing the stripes of a full commander!

JIMMY GLEASON BASKED in a sudden surge of popularity when the group returned to Hollywood for extra scenes. Anne Baxter took him to lunch Monday, Dana Andrews invited him for Tuesday. Ty and Charlie Grapewin wrestled for his luncheon check the rest of the week. Finally he found out that they'd just discovered he was a member of the Beverly Hills War Rationing Board No. 522. "I assure you it won't do them a bit of good," he announced. "I'm a hard guy."