Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-31

WHICH uOuRllp " ~ AN''.''
sailors have for battleWagon
which has met the test in sea con-
flict. In this case it is the four
stack destroyer U. S. S. Warren
recommissioned after December 8
adding to her glorious combat his
tory.
Laughton as Admiral.
Old Admiral Thomas played by
Charles Laughton) is eager for sea
duty, eventually gets it. In rescuing
the destroyer from drydock, he
places her under the command of
Comdr. Roberts played by Brian
Donlevy), a sailor who has come up
from the ranks, knows the sea code.
The admiral assigns his socialite
aide (played by Robert Taylor to
be the Warrens executive officer
Aboard is a chief yeoman (played
by Walter Brennan) who has been
with the U. S. S. Warren since World
War days, has a sailors love for a
great ship.
When the u. S. S. Warren Is
ordered out on patrol cruise 1t
becomes necessary to reasSlgn her 10
q task force How they run the
destroyer together with tough
crew, and how they finally maneu-
yer through an attacked American
convoy to Outright and sink Jap
anese battleship provide thrilling
and engrossing scenes.
Best part of Stand BY for Action
Is its by-play, showing how a man
who has made the U. S. Navy a
career and loves it, gradually I'M
presses the code of the sea on the
socialite executive officer Of the ship
This Young Harvard graduate, COM
missioned the easy way, is inclined
to think the best strategy is paper
work. gradually learns that action at
sea and quick thinking are what
counts. The old caretaker's sent-
mental regard for the craft Is touch
inelv illustrated by the veteran yeo-
man.
Citations for Heroes.
One of the unusual features is the
introduction of a roWboat loaded
with babies, rescued from tor
pedoed ship. When they came
aboard the U. S. S. Warren and two
of the women confront maternity
1t gives the officers problem.
Women, particularly, will be amused
and enlightened over these hard
boiled sailors in typical maternal
roles. Eventually the old destroyer
lands at the home port in California,
with citations awaiting for its Off
GERS who wrote another shining
chapter for the U. S. S. Warren.
Picture has the benefit Of excel
lent acting. Walter Brennan, splen-
did character actor, gives a superb
portrait of the old woman, afraid
his years will separate him from the
ship he loves. Brian Donlevy makes
much of the role of commander,
kindly and considerate, but deter
mined that all must live up to Navy
training and tradition. Robert Tay-
lor. as the junior lieutenant, gives
one of his best CharacterlzatlonS.
Charles Laughton plays the admiral
with his thick English accent, but
otherwise is we'll fitted for the role.
Robert z. Leonard's direction &C
cents the dramatic phases of the
story, is fast paced and inSpiratlonal
stand BY for Action" is lively and
lusty melodrama, fortified by a
script which wastes few words.
The supplemental program in
cludes a cartoon comedy. Barney
Bears Victory Garden" A war
activities short, Colleges at War,
shows how educational institutions
are adapting themselves to present
day conditions. A travelogue, Mod
ern Mexico City" and the neWsreel
round out a program that is both
patriotic and interesting.
What New York Critics Liked.
The organized New York Film
Critics are not bound by the rule!
of the Academy Of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences They vote upor
what they've seen. regardless O.
whether it was produced in England
or in Hollywood. Neither do they
care whether film was nationally
released provided it was screened il
New York.
They have accordingly nominated
"In Which We Serve" as the bes
picture seen in 1912, although thu
Academy intends to reward it as tn,
best foreign produced picture. Fol
lowing the Noel Coward production
was Wake Island" a stimulating
service picture
Since Yankee Doodle Dandy
has not been nationally released a