Sea Devils (1937 film)

Sea Devils is a 1937 American action film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Victor McLaglen, Ida Lupino and Preston Foster. Among the American "preparedness films" of the mid-1930s devoted to enhancing the image of the Army (Flirtation Walk), the Navy (Here Comes the Navy) and the Marines (The Singing Marine, Devil Dogs of the Air), this entry focuses equivalent approving attention on the work of the U.S. Coast Guard.[2][3]

Sea Devils
Victor McLaglen and Helen Flint in film
Directed byBenjamin Stoloff
Written byFrank Wead
Edmund Joseph
Screenplay byFrank Wead
John Twist
P. J. Wolfson
Produced byEdward Small
StarringVictor McLaglen
Ida Lupino
Preston Foster
CinematographyJoseph H. August
J. Roy Hunt
Edited byArthur Roberts
Music byRoy Webb
Production
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Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • February 19, 1937 (1937-02-19)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$477,000[1]
Box office$940,000[1]

Plot

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A Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer's personality conflict with his younger counterpart gets physical when the seaman casts his eye on the Chief's librarian daughter, among iceberg destruction missions, dramatic boat rescues, and fistfights.

Cast

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Unbilled players include Lane Chandler, George Irving, Dwight Frye Charles Lane and Brad Slaven .

Production

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The film was to be directed by James Flood, but he left the project shortly before shooting after a disagreement with producer Small.[4]

Reception

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The film was popular and made a profit of $155,000.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931–1951', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol. 14 No. 1, 1994, p. 56
  2. ^ Lawrence H. Suid. Guts & Glory: the Making of the American Military Image in Film. p. 62.
  3. ^ FRANK S. NUGENT. (March 16, 1937). "THE SCREEN: 'Sea Devils'". New York Times. p. 26.
  4. ^ "James Flood and Edward Small Split Over 'Coast Patrol' -- Cantor for Winchell-Bernie Film". New York Times. October 14, 1936. p. 31.
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