Mixing comedy, drama and a ton of patriotism, this late war film is a last minute attempt to get new blood in so the old blood can have a little rest. Cleverly opening with flashbacks of a bunch of the recruit's past, this is the beef stew of society as all types end up as buddies, some in with the most honorable of dreams, the others almost pushing and screaming in their efforts to stay out. But as the training influences take over their ideals, they all plan to serve together on the same trip.Robert Lowery headlines as a cynical boxer, ready for a shot at the title, but forced to change his plans when his draft card is pulled. Meeting pretty nurse Jean Parker has him convinced that he's in the right place but a last minute revelation has him discovering the truth about her feelings for him.Comedy is put in the hands of veteran character actor Roscoe Karns who had a misunderstanding with girlfriend Mary Treen and joins out of spite. Various others represent various social classes, aged and emotional maturities, but the message is clear: no man who wants to serve their country should be disqualified. Veteran actor Robert Armstrong overlooks the advancement of the recruits as they go from clumsy newbies to fully trained sailors ready for duty. Lowery gets a comical surprise when he whistles at Parker upon first sight and ends up being called over by her for reasons he doesn't expect. Other comic moments keeps the atmosphere light for a while, but there is a definitely serious theme of love of country and freedom at the front. As corny as it is to see the security's eyes widen in pride when the youngest recruit humbly repeats his oath, it's also a reminder of why we have fought for freedom and why we can't stop. In retrospect, this is probably the best of the low budget Pine Thomas features released by Paramount.

Robert Armstrong as a Navy CPO sees to the training of such various navy recruits as Robert Lowery, William Henry, Larry Nunn, Roscoe Karns, and Tom Keene in The Navy Way. This was a Pine-Thomas production from Paramount and was shot at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.Trying to mold an Espirit De Corps among this lot isn't an easy job for Armstrong. His biggest problem is Robert Lowery who before he got drafted was a promising middleweight boxer from the wrong side of the tracks. The biggest thing holding him from going over the hill is Pharmacist's Mate Jean Parker. But Henry who is a rich kid who enlisted is also interested in her.As in Casablanca they all see that the problems of three people don't amount too much with the country at war. As for Lowery you can sympathize a bit with him because he's reaching his peak as a fighter. A whole lot of athletes in all sports missed their peak years during World War II.Certainly The Navy Way is rather dated as a film, but it's still good entertainment. As for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station that's still there and still molding recruits The Navy Way.

During WWII, all of the Hollywood studios, even the little ones, began churning out bazillions of patriotic propaganda films. They were designed to increase the public's support for the war as well as glamorize the idea of joining the service to serve in the war effort. Of these bazillion films, "The Navy Way" is pretty typical. While it's clearly sub-par compared to the films of bigger studios such as MGM or Warner, it's not bad for tiny little Pine-Thomas--a B-movie production branch of Paramount. Now when I say Bs, these are quickly produced, short and low-budget films made as a lesser picture in a double-feature. Most of them clearly were inferior to the better A-pictures--though there were many exceptions. Sadly, "The Navy Way" isn't one of these exceptions.The film is very much in the mold of "Buck Privates" or "In the Navy"--but without the comedy. You have a group of disparate prototypical guys. There is the cocky boxer who hates that he was drafted and won't allow himself to work as part of any team (take a wild guess what happens to him). There is the rich guy who is a swell guy down deep--choosing to become an enlisted man instead of cashing in on his position to get a cushy officer's job. There is the girl who comes between two guys. There is also the somewhat comedic character--played by Roscoe Karns who made a career out of playing such roles. There are many other stereotypical sorts of men as well--and you KNOW by the end they will be honorable and tough fighting men. It's all pleasant but entirely unremarkable as well (other than starring Robert Lowery--the big-screen's first Batman). Not a bad time-passer but no more.By the way, this was filmed at the Great Lakes Training Facility near Chicago. My wife visited a friend who was in training there and was shocked to see that the place was landlocked AND sailors had to 'ask permission to come aboard'--even though this was for buildings, not ships!

This is a flag-waving programmer about the lives of boots at the Great Lakes Training Facilities during World War II. It manages to cover all the bases without doing much wrong. This Pine-Thomas feature -- they were known as "Dollar Bills" because of their ability to squeeze out a decent flick on a tight budget -- manages to have a few interesting bits despite a lack of top-notch talent.The central story, about turning around an unwilling draftee Robert Lowery, who is more interested in winning a boxing championship than the War, and his romance with gorgeous WAVE Jean Parker is a bit subpar, but a fine supporting cast including a humorous ex-shoe clerk Roscoe Karns, cowboy Tom Keene whose son has already died in the war and and Robert Armstrong as their instructor manages to keep things humming along.