THE FIGHTING COAST GUARD – 1951This is a mid-budget film (for Republic Pictures that is) highlighting some of the roles of the Coast Guard in World War Two. This one features plenty of recognizable faces. We have, Brian Donlevy, Forrest Tucker, Richard Jaeckel, Steve Brodie, Ella Raines, John Russell and a look quick or miss them, Hugh O'Brian and Martin Milner. Just after Pearl Harbor, a group of dock workers all join the Coast Guard. They are all taken in as Officer cadets. There is the gruff, hard nosed, Tucker, college boy, Russell, a lifeguard, Jaeckel, and all the usual types that populate these war films. The first half of the film shows the various training the men go through. There is of course time for a love interest, played by the drop dead beautiful, Miss Raines. Tucker and the ship's Captain, Donlevy, are both in pursuit of Miss Raines. The second half of the film is about the men all being crew members of the same ship in the Pacific Theater. They are involved in helping land troops, rescue same, fight off Japanese Kamikaze attacks etc. The war ends, and the survivors all head back home. Tucker, the lucky dog, gets to go straight to the arms of Miss Raines. Not a world beater by any means. But if you are a fan of these lower end war films, you will find more than enough to keep you entertained. There is quite a lot of wartime stock footage in this one, and it is used to good advantage during the Kamikaze sequences.

Well, I agree, I am naughty with this kind of production. This kind of ultra patriotic movie that already shows brave soldiers who fight with all their guts against evil Japanese army. And, of course, it begins with the Pearl Harbor "incident", on December 7th 1941...Nothing unusual, here. Heroes - Donlevy and Russel - fighting for the same woman - Ella Raines. We can see Richard Jaeckel at his acting beginning. A mix up between romance, war sequences - mostly stock shots - training schedules. Action, OK, but boring for me. I prefer hardcore and realistic war movies. Anti war films. The fiercest of them all.No, it's not a bad feature. A good Jo Kane's indeed. But not my favourite.