They call me Mac. The name's not important.
It's January 1942.
Marine outposts around the world have fallen to the Japanese.
Our ranks are empty and ill-equipped. We need help.
From every part of the country, kids are answering our call.
This is Baltimore, Maryland.
Detail, halt!
Left face!
You men have got a few minutes to see your folks. Fall out!
Ma and Pa's over here.
Hey, lady, my brother's a Marine.
If your father had listened to me, you wouldn't be going to war at 19.
- Mom, let's not go over that again. - I'm proud of you, son.
Danny!
Hi, Danny. I'm sorry I'm late.
- Scared? - A little.
Look, suppose I'm gone a year or two years.
Suppose you want to change your mind.
Well, we'd both be awfully hurt then.
I won't change my mind.
I just want to go on being your girl.
Kathy...
I guess this kind of makes us engaged, huh?
Yes.
All right, Section 5, all aboard!
Section 5!
Let's go, on the double, come on!
- Good luck, son. - All right, all aboard, let's go.
If they don't treat you right, you come right back.
How long can we go on like this, sneaking around, meeting in cheap joints?
- You'd get to hate me. - I could never hate you.
But your old man hates me. I won't be able to get a decent job in this lousy town.
Sue, can't you see I'd rot here? I couldn't take it!
Ski, what's gonna happen if you can't get me to California?
Baby, I'll save every nickel, and I'll send for you.
We'll be away from Philly and your old man.
- All aboard! - Oh, honey!
All right, men. Get aboard.
Come on now, hurry up!
- I've got to go, baby. - Get aboard!
Scenes like this are played all over the land...
... as boys from the cities and from the farms rush to fill our ranks.
All trains head west. Destination, San Diego.
This bunch looks like any other group we're getting.
Politics and wars make strange bedfellows.
In almost every car, you'll find a Texan with a guitar...
... an all-American boy...
... the farmer...
... the pride of the Navajos.
Then there's the slum kid...
... the bookworm...
... the lumberjack.
And there's one in every outfit.
And you'll usually find a troublemaker.
- Put it back. You didn't make your point. - What do you mean?
- You accusing me of something dishonest? - Put it back.
I was only kidding. Let's be buddies.
- Spanish Joe's a troublemaker. - Yeah.
He'll learn. The hard way.
- I wish we were in San Diego already. - We'll be there soon enough.
You're a couple of nice guys. I hope we stick together.
Be okay.
- Got a gal, Marion? - No.
How about you, Andy?
Do I got a gal? I got hundreds of them.
Every broad in the north woods knows old Andy.
Not me. I got one, that's all I need.
One?
This guy's nuts.
San Diego, the end of the line.
As they arrive at boot camp, the door to their past shuts behind them.
Get off that truck. Get off.
Quickly.
Get back in there!
Get going.
All right, you guys, follow that white line over there.
- My head feels like a prickly pear! - I've been scalped!
Gonna let my eyebrows grow out and throw them back!
Move it in, you guys!
Come on! Move out!
Over there, you skinheads!
The rest of you get in there and get deloused.
All right, you people. My name is Sergeant Beller.
You guys are going to hate the day you met me.
As far as I'm concerned, you are not human beings anymore.
And don't get the idea you're Marines!
You're recruits! Meatheads!
The lowest form of animal in this here universe.
You will refer to me as "sir."
All right.
You'll eat no candy, read no papers, hear no radios...
...and speak only when spoken to.
You will salute everything moving above the rank of private.
- What's your name, son? - L.Q. Jones.
"My name is Private Jones, L.Q., sir!"
My name is Private L.Q. Jones, sir.
Your Honor.
- Where are you from, meathead? - Cotton Plant, sir.
- Cotton Plant, what? - Arkansas.
It ain't no more than a wide spot in a thin road...
Shut up!
Who said you could talk?
- You chewing gum, son? - Yes, sir.
Swallow it.
All right, you people, from now on, it's gonna be double-time.
No more walking.
All right, you're gonna get fed now.
Personally, I think it's a waste of government money.
Right face!
Forward march!
After the cordial welcome to the Corps...
... comes the job of turning boys into men.
About face!
Face left.
Ready, front!
Let's get that hat down!
Cut down that belt!
Pull up your pants, son!
- You want that button? - Yes, sir.
- Did you shave this morning? - I shaved twice, sir.
You didn't slip up and put a blade in the razor, did you?
A blade, sir? No, sir.
Us full-blooded Indians never shave.
The Marine Corps says you gotta shave every morning whether you need it or not!
The Indian love call.
We've got a wise guy in our midst.
You guys must need some exercise.
All right. Right face!
Forward, hut!
Double-time, hut!
Lift them up! Hut!
Come on, step it up, you guys. Move!
So it goes from sunup to sundown. Days turn into weeks.
They learn that the price of the green uniform comes high.
Move! Get the lead out, you meatheads!
Move!
Then suddenly, you're beginning to learn the lesson the instructor has been pounding in.
There's no place for stragglers in the Marine Corps.
Forward.
Left oblique! Huh!
File out, file out.
Right oblique! Huh!
To the rear. Huh!
And you're sure that yours is the best outfit in boot camp.
Dear Kathy:
Ten weeks have passed, and tomorrow we finish boot camp.
We hope we can stick together and go to radio school from here.
Man, this living in tents behind closed gates is tough on me.
I can't even remember what a woman looks like.
It's tougher on me. I can remember.
I'm gonna kill that Beller, I'm gonna rip him apart with my bare hands.
- Tell us your side of the story. - They got a picture tonight about Marines.
And I hate pictures about Marines.
I thought it was a cowboys-and-Indians picture.
I know that picture, cousin.
This here Marine private gets a set of dress blues...
Yeah, The Real Marine.
Isn't that the one where the broad flips her lid for the private?
That's it. He's a Marine because his daddy was a Marine.
He hates the Corps, but learns to love it just like we do.
Ends up saving the life of his drill instructor.
- What a dumb jerk. - Know what that stupid Beller says to me?
He says, "Private Jones, the Marine Corps says you all got to be entertained.
It's good for your morale.
All right, you dumb Yankees, ain't you ever gonna learn?
Jones, throw out that chest! Jones, ain't you got no chest?
All right, you dumb Yankees!
Can't you understand American when it's spoke?
Mr. Christian, 10 lashes for them Yankees!
Lick the deck! Lick the..."
Don't bother me right now, boy.
"I'll make you boys feel sorry for the day..."
Attention!
Gentlemen, don your buckets.
All right, what are you people?
We're skinheads.
- What? - Skinheads!
And stupid Yankees too!
And who do you love?
We love our Sergeant Beller!
Yes, sir!
- There's that Indian love call again. - It's the chow, sarge.
In all my 10 years in the Marine Corps, this is the first time I've been stumped.
I still don't know who the bird is.
Well, I give up.
All right, take them off.
At ease.
I just came over to tell you skinheads...
...that they're sending a bunch of you out...
...to radio school.
All right, one more thing.
You're gyrenes now.
And when you pass in review tomorrow...
...and do an eyes right...
...let me hear them eyeballs click.
Just call me Jim.
This was the day.
To a man, their hearts pound, nearly bursting with pride.
They had paid in sweat, humiliation and a few tears for the name they now carried.
They were Marines now, and they would be till the day they died.
This is me, Mac, with the six chevrons.
I'm communicator for this outfit.
Major Wellman, the executive officer.
He gave up an ulcer job in civilian life for another ulcer job in the Marine Corps.
Little Ziltch, a new kid, the commander's orderly.
And this is Major Sam Huxley, known throughout the Corps as High Pockets.
He's now in command of the 2nd Battalion.
I've served with Huxley off and on for years.
If there's one man who can build a fighting battalion, you're looking at him.
- Mac. - Yes, sir.
- Take charge. Get them squared away. - Yes, sir.
Bob, get them bedded down.
Left face!
Arms, huh!
Forward, huh!
Rest easy. The smoking lamp's lit.
I called you men together because I know we're all thinking the same thing.
These new boys we're getting...
...they may look like Marines and talk like Marines...
...but we know the truth.
In other words, we've got problems.
We've also got a war on our hands.
Now, we all have buddies on wait in the Philippines and Shanghai.
It's gonna be a long road back.
And we can't get back without them.
You know I'm going to train them...
...so that every private in this battalion can take command if he has to.
The only way I can do that is with your help.
Thank you. That will be all.
The man said he wanted communicators, and I said he'd have them.
Every minute they weren't in the field, I had them at the practice table.
Inside three weeks, they could read code in their sleep. And probably did.
Come on, snap out of it. What, you got the blues?
This place gives me the creeps on Sunday.
Forget about it, Danny.
Monkey with a broad, you wind up on the short end of the stick.
- None of them are worth it. - Save the advice, chaplain.
Thought I'd give the benefit of my experience.
I want to be there when you fall for some nice girl.
A broad ain't been made yet that'll make old Andy fall.
- Let's go ashore and get out of this hole. - Good idea.
We're going on liberty. How about coming along?
I gotta finish ironing these shirts.
Ski, they've got a town out here full of beautiful tomatoes.
You ain't been on liberty since we've been in the Corps.
I got a chance to pick up extra bucks pressing.
I've gotta save my dough to get Susan out here.
If it's a dame you want out here, I'll lend you the dough.
Thanks anyway, but I don't want no charity.
It's your life.
Eat your heart out, feather merchant, eat your heart out.
I'll murder Mac and Huxley. They got no respect for communicators.
That lousy Mac had me shoveling garbage again today.
Me! I'm writing my congressman.
Me and the Corps have split the blanket. That's Navajo for finished, done.
That's right. Huxley's trying to kill us. Ten straight 15-mile hikes.
You know what they call this outfit? "Huxley's Harlots."
And if we ain't hiking, we're getting dit-happy on that signal key.
Maybe I should learn Mac how to use smoke signals.
What's Crazy Horse beefing about?
He says he's a son of a Indian chief, and he wants to go back to the reservation.
Tell that man there'll be no swearing here on Sunday.
I wonder who's stuck with guard duty tonight.
I think I see your name up there.
Put it back, Joseph.
I was just going to borrow it.
The last time you borrowed something, I never saw it again.
Hey, you accusing me of something dishonest?
Just put it back, please.
You think you're so smart because you read all the time.
I ain't liked you since boot camp.
I've got a notion to loosen you from a few teeth...
...Sister Mary.
Now, wait a minute. I was only fooling with you.
What'd you go and do that for?
I saw what happened to one fellow who tried to shake your hand.
That was a lucky punch. You know that, huh?
You're the only guy alive who can do that to old Spanish Joe...
...and live to tell about it.
What you reading?
Plato.
You mean they wrote a whole big book about Mickey Mouse's dog?
You know something?
I like you, Mary.
You stick with me and I'll get you over the rough spots.
What you think of old Spanish Joe now?
I think you're the most obnoxious person I ever met.
What's that, obnoxious?
You stink.
That's because I was eating garlic.
Hey, kid, you got guts.
You and me's going to be buddy-buddy.
Thanks, Mac.
Don't do that with my hat! What's the matter with you?
Miss, would you please pick it up for me?
All right. What'll you have?
Give me a cheeseburger and a cup of coffee.
And how about a piece of that apple pie too?
What's yours?
I think I'll have something different.
My name's Andy. What time you getting off duty?
I have just two words for you.
Remind me to tell you what they are later.
Why not now?
Later's always better.
- What are you doing? - Looking for Ski.
- He cracked up. - What happened?
- He got a letter and tore the barracks apart. - He went crazy and threw his bed at me.
He drew all the money he had stashed away, over $400, and headed into San Diego.
Mac's looking for him. He told us to wait here.
Something must've gone wrong with his girl, Susan.
- We found him. Come on. - Let's go.
Here's a couple of bucks. I'll see you later.
Is he still in there?
Okay.
That's the kind of joint this is. If he ain't in the bar, he's upstairs.
We don't want no trouble. But, just in case, get your belts ready.
Let's go, sailors.
Can I help you fellows?
We're looking for a buddy of ours, a Marine PFC.
- He's a little loaded. You seen him? - He ain't here.
He come in here 10 minutes ago, and he ain't come out yet.
- Mind if we take a look? - Wait!
I said he ain't here!
- I guess maybe we made a mistake. - Yeah.
Thanks a lot.
Excuse me, please. Thank you, thank you.
- Let's go, kid. Get up. - Hold on.
- Come on, you gotta get out of here. - Leave me alone!
- This is my life. I'll do what I want with it! - Come on.
- She rolled him. - Where's his dough?
Where's his dough?
I got it.
- She's gone. - It's all right. It's all right.
Dear John letter. She's gonna have a baby. She got married.
See what happens when you fall for one broad?
Let's get him out of here. Come on, come on!
She's gone.
Sir.
We lost contact with Fox Company.
Soon as the boys finish chow, I'll have them run a line up.
All right.
- You got your Indians working? - Yes, sir. Right over here.
Lighttower and his all-Navajo network.
That Huxley's really a smart boy.
He's gonna foul up the Japs so they can't intercept our messages.
Seems that he read someplace that they used Sioux talkers in World War I.
You can stop. We know you're reading High Pockets the Riot Act.
Mr. Jones, I hate to interrupt your meal hour...
...but when you finish feeding your face, I want you to run a line up to Fox Company.
Yes, sir. Right, sir. On the double, sir.
Come on. If I don't get this dame's sister a date, I'll be out in the cold.
No, thanks.
Man, you're the limit. You gotta loosen up sometimes.
I enjoy myself on liberty.
- What do you do? - Ride the San Diego Coronado Ferryboat.
You what?
Take a boat ride.
You ought to try it sometime, Andy. It's very pleasant.
It gives me a chance to think.
I might write a book about all this one of these days.
You ride the Coronado Ferry.
Marion, believe me, I think you will write that book.
Excuse me. I don't seem to have a light.
Thanks.
Don't think I'm forward, but I've seen you here before.
I travel to Coronado every night. You're almost getting to be a fixture.
I was curious.
It's quiet here. I can think.
Lonesome?
No, not really.
I'll bet you're thinking about a girl.
I haven't got a girl.
No man has a girl back home when he's talking to a girl in San Diego.
Look, lady, I'm not one of those guys.
There are things that mean more to me than a brief conversation.
I'll bet you really don't have a girl.
I said I didn't.
Forgive me. I shouldn't have bothered you.
Miss?
I'm sorry. It's sort of hard to explain.
But being out here, for me, well, I can think. Things make sense.
That rat race back there's almost another world.
What do you think about, Marine?
I think about how I'd like to write about the war and this city and the guys.
I suppose you think I'm off my rocker.
- How old are you? - Nineteen.
A completely honest gyrene.
You're one for the books. You should have said 25 to impress me.
Is it a crime to be 19?
Miss?
My name's Marion, Marion Hotchkiss.
You said you take this boat often. Maybe I'll see you again.
Could be.
Try your skill here. Ten shots for a quarter.
Everybody wins here. Ten shots for a quarter here.
- Give me a bourbon and Scotch. - What?
Well, just give me what that guy's got.
I'm gonna tell you, buddy.
I'm gonna tell you, I don't like Huxley.
He's a nice guy, I know, I know, but I don't like him, see?
You know, I don't like this lousy town.
I don't like the people in it, see?
I like people.
I like people who likes me, see?
All the people here cares about is your money. Lousy, rotten money.
Did I ever tell you about Kathy?
She's my girl. She's a character, but she's cute.
Feeling better?
Where am I?
You'd better take this.
- How did I get here? - You're at the USO.
Some Marines dropped you off.
Never again.
Thanks a lot for...
...for taking me in.
You'd better get back to camp. Sleep it off.
I guess I'd better.
Thanks again, Ms?
Mrs. Yarborough.
Thanks.
- Mrs. Yarborough? - Yes?
I was wondering if you'd walk me to the bus depot.
I'm sorry. I'm terribly busy.
Can I ask you something?
I know working one of these clubs you hear this all the time...
...but I haven't talked to a woman for almost six months.
I just thought that...
Wash up.
I'll get my coat.
I had a crush on a football player one time.
How come you live in San Diego and run the USO club?
The USO keeps me busy.
Vernon... Mr. Yarborough's what you call a dollar-a-year man.
He tours the Pacific.
He only gets in a couple of days a month.
I found commuting from Illinois pretty difficult these days...
...so I've sort of become a Navy wife till the war's over.
Guess you have a pretty fancy place in Arlington Heights.
It wasn't always that way, I can tell you.
I come from a family of nine girls.
Well, let's not fall into a dirge.
Say, young man, USO has a hayride every Friday night.
I highly recommend it instead of getting drunk.
Cigarette?
- I shouldn't smoke on the street. - Go on.
I'd better go back.
You're not sorry. Neither am I.
I don't know what got into me. I've got to go back.
I'll see you Friday.
- All right, try it. - Nothing coming in.
I tell you, it's completely gone, Mac.
- Fix it. - Fix it?!
Sir, the TD Y's on the blink again.
- Keep some runners handy. - They're standing by.
Them radios aren't worth the tubes they're made of.
Do you feel you're incapable of operating with the present equipment?
None of my equipment would've helped Custer at Little Bighorn.
Sergeant, we're also carrying small arms from World War I.
Now, I'm not going through our present equipment roster.
But you keep one thing in mind:
Until we're issued new gear, we'll get 100% efficiency...
...out of every last piece we have now.
And we'll train these men in such a manner as to overcome faults in the equipment.
- Is that clear? - Very clear.
- Are you the communicator on this lash-up? - Yes, sir.
Well, then start communicating.
That's it.
It's a beautiful story, Marion.
Do you really like it?
Very much.
I like meeting you here every liberty.
I like talking to you.
Me too.
Let me tell you something about my writing these stories.
Just being with you, it's untied a lot of knots.
Don't.
Don't stop me now. I don't get this brave very often.
Rae, I just never could write until I met you.
Does that sound funny?
You're a sweet kid. You'll be a big writer someday.
Yeah.
Rae, how about our meeting in San Diego next liberty?
We can have dinner and take in a show.
Couldn't we go on just meeting here?
We've been seeing each other for a month, but it's always here on the ferry.
I can't.
What do you mean you can't?
I just can't.
I thought you liked me.
Of course I like you, Marion.
Would I sit here until dawn every time you were in if I didn't?
Yeah.
If you want to make a big secret of it, I...
- I guess I'd better shove. - Marion?
Will you be here next liberty?
Yes.
I'll be here.
Goodness, that was fun.
I haven't been on a hayride in years.
Come on in.
- May I fix you a drink? - I gave it up for hayrides, remember?
Oh, yes.
If you'll excuse me a minute, I think I'll freshen up.
This darn hay is driving me nuts.
Sorry. I felt kind of itchy.
A buddy of mine back at the base reads a lot.
I'll bet he's read all those books.
Nice place you've got here.
Got a pool too, huh?
Won't you change your mind about that drink?
I guess I better shove off for camp.
Will I?
Will I see you tomorrow night?
I shouldn't.
Oh, all right. I'll see you.
You should have fun like this more often.
I've been too busy.
With all this, I...
I guess you have everything.
I have everything I want, Danny.
I had nothing before I met my husband.
Everything?
Do you know, I...
I think I will take that drink.
This darn hay is driving me nuts.
I know how we can get rid of it.
Let's take a dip in the pool.
I haven't got a suit.
Besides...
Here.
Those are Vernon's. Put them on. I'll be out in a jiffy.
Listen, I gotta get back to the base.
I'll drive you back.
Don't forget my drink.
Scotch over ice.
If I don't get back on time, I'll be peeling spuds for two years.
What is it, dear?
I said...
Never mind.
- Ready? - All clear.
For a dollar-a-year man, I'd say Vernon eats pretty well.
Come on.
Wait a minute, not so fast! I'm liable to lose these.
I'll call you.
I'm in.
All right.
Three aces.
Who owns this deck of cards?
I do.
You accusing me of something dishonest?
You got three aces, I got three aces.
And I got one too.
- Catch him! - Catch him!
All right, Forrester, you're relieved. Wait a minute.
I want to talk to you.
You know, it took me four years to make PFC.
You made it in three months.
I had you figured for a bright boy.
But for the last month, you've smelled up every radio you've operated.
Now, do you want to tell me what's going on in San Diego?
- It's none of your business. - It is when it affects your work.
And when you go into town on fake liberty passes.
Who do you think you're snowing?
All right. I'll do better.
You'll have to.
The major got a letter from your father.
You haven't written your family in over a month.
It might be a good idea to let them know whether you're alive or dead.
Are you ordering me to write?
The major's arranged for you to talk to your family long distance tonight at 8:30.
Sharp. Be there.
Now, go get some chow.
Hello?
- Hello? - Son.
- Hello, son. - Hello, Dad.
- Are you all right? - Dad, I'm fine, just fine.
- Well, is anything wrong out there? - No. No.
I'm sorry about not writing.
I'll get a letter off tonight.
We were kind of worried.
- Is Mother there? - I sent her to a show.
I wanted to be sure everything was all right.
Son, there's someone here who wants to talk to you.
Hello, Danny.
Kathy?
Kathy, I...
Danny, I...
It's still the same way with me.
Kitten, honey...
Kitten, I love you.
I love you too, Danny.
Major Huxley, sir?
Come in, Mac.
Forrester's furlough papers are ready for your signature, sir.
Thank you.
You don't like this, do you? Giving this boy a furlough?
That's not for me to decide, sir.
Sit down, Mac.
You and I have been soldiering for a long time.
Long enough to know that we're in the loneliest business in the world.
But these kids...
Mac, a lonely boy can get into trouble.
I know that a few weeks at home can straighten him out.
- I think it will too, sir. - Remember, these kids aren't professionals.
Their reason for being here is different than ours. They're wartime people.
But I believe we can make them the kind of Marines we've got to have.
It's not the furlough, sir.
Let's have it, Mac.
Sure, major.
May I speak freely?
Please do.
I've been soldiering long enough to know a commander can't get involved...
...in the personal lives of his men. Nobody's that strong.
You're going to end up tearing your heart out.
- Process these papers. - Yes, sir.
I'm sorry I'm late.
I should be angry.
I waited last night too. An hour at the gate.
It was impossible for me to get liberty.
Is anything wrong?
I said, is anything wrong?
Why didn't you come last night?
I had to study.
Besides, I...
- I was broke. - You know that doesn't make any difference.
It does to me.
We're washed-up, aren't we?
It completes the circle.
Danny Forrester, all-American boy.
I knew you'd catch up to yourself sooner or later.
The little girl back home?
Kathy?
Yes.
- You think I'm a tramp, don't you, Danny? - No.
Don't be nice.
Any guy in the world would be lucky to have you for a wife.
It's just one of those things...
...that wouldn't have happened if the world was in its right senses.
Right senses.
That's the trouble with me.
I've always been in my right senses.
I'm a clubwoman in her right senses.
Know what I was going to do when you told me this?
I was going to make a fight for you.
For a while there, nothing mattered to me:
My home. My husband. The life I've trained for.
Elaine, please don't.
Tonight?
It's farewell?
Maybe I'll go out and get drunk.
Maybe some other Marine will take pity on me.
- How about a cup of coffee? - You're up early this morning.
I came in to see you.
Didn't think you'd make it.
- Hey, where's your good-looking buddy? - You mean Danny?
The jerk got lonesome for his gal and went back to Baltimore.
Oh, yeah. Baltimore.
That's where the oysters come from, isn't it?
You know what oysters are good for, don't you?
Vitamins.
Too bad we haven't got any.
Try some eggs. They're just as good.
Ruby, why don't you and me go to Mission Beach? I'll teach you how to dive.
- More tricks? - Yeah.
That sure was good, Mom.
I've heard terrible stories about what they fed you.
It's a wonder you gained weight.
I'll gather these dishes.
I've got to show the kids my Marine hat...
...and tell them you rode home in a Flying Fortress.
- Well, are you smoking now, son? - I'm full of vices.
- It sure is great to be home, Dad. - Well, good to have you back.
- Kathy know you're home yet? - She wasn't expecting me till tomorrow.
My catching a plane hop was kind of lucky.
Here. Why don't you take the car and run over and see her.
Thanks, Dad.
- Danny, I do love you. - Kathy...
It's all right, darling. It's all right.
I'm sorry.
We just got carried away.
Remember the night we drove out this way and went swimming in the moonlight?
Come on. Let's take a walk along the beach.
- It looks wonderful! - Kathy, come back. Stop acting like a baby.
Fine Marine you turned out to be.
- What, afraid to get your feet wet? - Act your age, will you?
Come on in. It's wonderful. You big sissy!
You're a coward! You're yellow!
- Hey! You got me all wet! - Chicken!
I'll show you. You'll be sorry!
You've got to catch me first!
Kitten, it's getting late. We'd better go now.
I don't want to go.
I don't ever want to go.
Danny, we'll be so happy.
You're beautiful.
I just love to look at you.
Am I really beautiful?
I always want to look nice for you.
Keep on dreaming, will you?
- Danny? - What?
Do you like me as well as that girl in San Diego?
It's all right, darling.
I've known about it all the time.
I knew when you didn't write.
And I don't care.
I've got you now.
There will never be another girl anymore, Kathy.
Never anyone but you.
I love you.
Hector, if you had any gumption, you'd go get your shotgun.
Be quiet, Martha.
I'm gonna see that the military authorities take care of your son, Forrester!
They may have been in an accident.
It's my daughter. Remember that. My daughter!
Here they come now, he's kissing her!
Bud, go on upstairs now. Get ready for school.
Where have you two been?
What have you done, son? Shame, shame, shame!
- How could you have done this? - I'll see you behind bars!
- I suggest we all lower our voices. - I'm taking this to court!
We didn't do anything wrong.
No? You and your mother wait in the car.
Mom, Dad, please!
- We were married in Upton. - What?!
- We were married in Upton. - Married?
- You're not even dry behind the ears yet! - But, Daddy, I love him.
Heaven help us!
Oh, Mom.
- You sent for me, sir. - Yes, I sent for you.
What have you got in that radio platoon of yours, the battalion clowns?
- I'm afraid I don't understand the major. - Then the major will explain.
On every field problem, your boys get the 3rd Battalion to lay miles of wire...
...and then they just sit back and tap the lines...
...let the other guys do the work.
Not only that, but they've fieldstripped the 1st Battalion's radio shack...
...taken everything that wasn't nailed down.
While the rest of the regiment transmits dull, routine military messages...
...your boys want to liven up the party by sending limericks.
They seem to be under the impression we hold field problems...
...just to allow them to express their poetic souls.
Now, listen to this. This was decoded yesterday.
Here's the answer Weapons Company got when they sent an ammunition request:
There was an old sheep from Algiers
Who said to his harem, "My dears
You may..."
There's nothing funny about this, this is just plain filth!
I know it is. The first time I received that message was in Shanghai in '31.
A young 2nd lieutenant sent it to me. I believe his name was Huxley, sir.
Well, you ought to have him show a little discretion.
Tell him to use a better code.
If Regiment got ahold of this, I might have trouble explaining it.
- I'll square them away, sir. - Okay, Mac.
They're shaping into a real outfit. Beginning to look like Marines.
Yes, sir.
- Shipping orders? - That's it.
Looks like we'll be shoving off any day now.
What do you think?
Well, they've come a long way in the last 30 days.
Of course, we could always use more time.
Time is something we're not going to be able to buy.
The reports from Guadalcanal look very bad.
Yeah.
Well, get your working parties organized.
- Give them all the liberty they can handle. - Right.
I guess I ought to run in to San Diego a few hours, see the wife.
You better produce broads.
You think I'm dishonest? Don't worry about it, I'll get them there.
The boys are really gonna start celebrating.
I wish I could go in and get crocked with them.
Sometimes I'd like to take off these oak leaves and be a human being.
Maybe you and I could just shove off together, Sam.
It's not the same thing as being surrounded by your buddies.
You know, Wellman, this uniform is the only thing...
...that's ever really meant anything to me, except Jean.
I haven't been able to give her much of a life.
She's married to a Marine, Sam.
It's these last days I hate.
The anticipation starts, and we both get quiet.
I'll come in, she'll set the table.
We'll talk of small things, pretending nothing's wrong.
And then when the ship's loaded...
...standing by...
Every morning when I leave her...
...neither of us knowing whether maybe this is the last time.
And then I go back again that evening.
That look on her face when I open the door...
Then we start pretending all over again.
Pretending that nothing's happening.
But in the middle of the night, she'll...
She'll cry.
She'll go into the next room so I won't hear her.
I guess we should be used to it by now.
What is it that makes a woman go on loving a man...
...that she can't even claim belongs to her?
Hold on a minute, honey.
Quiet, you guys! This dame will think we're drunk!
Why don't you pick up a couple of gals and come over to the club?
I want to propose a toast to the best outfit in the Marine Corps.
Huxley's Hookers! Come on!
Now you're a real outfit.
And a toast to the girl who ain't with us on our last beer bust:
Good old Danny Forrester!
- I'll drink to that! - I'm not gonna drink to that jerk!
- Why not? - Getting married! Wouldn't listen to Andy.
- Wait till he gets in tomorrow! - You should try it.
Me and my faithful Indian companion here have a terrific idea.
We think we should all make a vow to have a reunion when this here war is over!
That's the most beautiful idea I ever heard.
We also think that we should be blood brothers. Real blood brothers.
Because blood brothers is thicker than, than beer brothers.
- Most beautiful idea I ever heard. - Speedy, the knife.
So's we can all cut our thumbs and shake like a Navajo.
- Right in the meaty part. - Cut it up. Cut it, cut it.
I guess it's not gonna work. It's a good idea, but it's just...
Okay, brother, let's have some blood.
Let's do it first thing tomorrow.
Come on right over.
- Bartender, bring them brews! - Did you get those broads?
Did I get them? They'll be right over.
But remember, you guys, lay off my personal babe. She's mine.
Wait'll you see this number. She's as good as she looks.
Marion, come on, drink up.
Joe's got some broads coming over with his personal recommendation.
He don't drink, smoke or go out with women. What's he live for?
He lives for the Marine Corps, kid.
Live it up, live it up!
The broads are finally here!
Hi, baby, how are you?
Sit down, I'll get you a bottle of bourbon.
Harry, double bourbon.
This here is the only gal that can make a Jerry lose his marbles.
Spanish Joe's babe!
Rae!
Marion.
- Now what's the matter with him? - Shut up!
See what happens when you fall for one dame?
Easy, Marion. Take it easy.
November 1942, 11 months after Pearl Harbor...
... our battalion dropped anchor in Wellington Bay.
The fighting men of New Zealand were far away in the Middle East...
... while their courageous country was armed with not much more than pitchforks.
And it was, quote, "Condition Black, enemy invasion anticipated, " unquote.
At Camp McKay, 30 miles outside of Wellington, we set up for business.
From here on out, we would be racing against the clock.
For on another island miles to the north, the 1st Marine Division...
... had taken the first step of the long road back.
Major, whoever drew up this training schedule is wacky.
It calls for a hike tonight and a 25-mile hike tomorrow.
That's right, I drew up that schedule.
But these boys have been cooped up aboard ship for three weeks. That's a bit rough.
It's gonna get rougher where we're going.
First we're gonna get this camp shipshape...
...then we're gonna work out the kinks before anybody gets liberty.
High Pockets promised he'd work the kinks out of us, and he kept his promise.
The field problems ran day and night.
We were on the move from dawn to dusk and back to dawn.
- Ready to move out, sir. - Let's go.
And it was 10 long days before he eased up and gave us liberty.
The wonderful people of New Zealand loved the kids in green...
... and to us, well, it was almost like home.
He's full of whiskey and donuts.
You gotta stop acting like this, you'll get shipped out.
Marion snapped out of it.
You smell up the network every time you're on radio. Wise up to yourself!
Go on. You guys slobber over me like I'm a 10-year-old. Leave me alone.
Sober him up on that stuff before the MPs get to him.
- What would you like, please? - A cup of joe...
...and one of them crumpet things.
My name's Andy Hookens. I didn't catch yours.
I didn't throw it.
Nice country you got here.
I'm from Washington state. Not to be confused with the capitol.
I know. Lots of trees in Washington.
I'm the boy who chopped most of them down.
A modest Yank. Well, well. Excuse me.
Don't flit off again, honey. I'd like some more coffee.
- Are you persistent too? - I never let go.
- You're fighting a losing battle, you know. - The story of my life.
- You can't score with that one, buddy. - Just move over and give me some room.
- That's Pat Rogers. Mrs. Pat Rogers. - You shouldn't let that scare you, junior.
Are you still here?
You know, you're hurting my morale. I've met nothing but nice people here.
Aren't you gonna be nice to me too?
- You're fresh. - And lonesome too.
I was just thinking of a nice, quiet evening of...
...of movies and dancing.
Does that ring a bell?
But there are lots of girls about the canteen dying to know...
...what you could do with a tree.
- Would you like me to introduce you to one? - No, I've met one.
Hey, Andy. We're shoving off. Come on.
- You better go. You'll miss your train. - You seem to know the schedule.
Well, nice try, Andy. No harm done, huh?
No harm done.
Nice knowing you, Pat.
Coffee's cheaper than beer. I'll make another try next liberty.
It won't do you any good.
Let's go. Come on.
You guys get him back to camp.
- What are you gonna do? - I'll tell you about it later.
- Hey, slow down. - Softy!
Andy, I had a wonderful time.
I haven't been to the cinema in weeks. We'll do it again soon.
- Mind if I come up for a cup of coffee? - It's awfully late.
Andy! Please don't ruin it.
- Come on, cut the act. - I beg your pardon?
We've been sparring around long enough.
- I think you'd better go. - Really?
What do you take me for?
- You're no different than any other woman. - Please go.
You're putting on a good show, Pat.
What have you been doing with the Marines in town?
Pining your heart out for your husband while he's sweating it away in Africa?
I know you're married.
My husband was killed in El Alamein.
Topeka white.
Fox Company? Yes, sir.
- Who's Pat Rogers? - What?
I read code, you know.
Danny, I want to ask you something. You ever apologize to anyone?
What kind of a stupid question is that?
What I mean to say is...
...you do something you're real sorry for, and go and say you're real sorry.
You know what I mean?
You ever apologize to a broad?
Sure, lots of times. Why?
Nothing. Nothing, I just wondered.
I'm just wondering.
- Good night. - Good night.
- I'm warning you, keep away from me. - I'd like to talk to you.
I don't want anything to do with you. Leave me alone.
I came here to say something to you, and I'd like to say it. I want you to listen.
Well, make it quick.
Pat, I never apologized to anyone for anything as long as I've lived.
I've never said I'm sorry for anything.
But I'm saying I'm sorry to you.
I feel real bad.
And I couldn't rest easy.
I'm very, very sorry, Pat. That's all I wanted to say.
Well, that was nice, Andy. We all make mistakes, you know.
I don't expect you'd care to go out with me again.
I don't blame you.
I won't bother you anymore.
Andy?
There's a good film at the Majestic.
Talk about your iron men.
These kids are tougher, they're a new metal. We ought to call it Huxley's Harlots.
I think they'll be able to take care of themselves now.
Excuse me, sir.
Request permission to dismiss the troops.
- What's your rush? - Liberty train leaves in 30 minutes.
You gonna go with the kids or stay in camp with us old men?
I think I'll go with the kids. Maybe I can scare up an old woman.
All right, turn them loose.
Dismissed!
Marion, there's that book you lent me.
I couldn't go it.
Hamlet reminds me of an uncle of mine in Dayton...
You know.
Is that a letter from home?
No, it's from Rae.
The girl on the ferryboat? I didn't know you two were writing.
I haven't.
She has ever since we left the States.
Almost like I'm the guy that really counts.
She even left San Diego.
She's a secretary in a defense plant up near San Francisco now.
Mac, you've kicked around a long time.
What would you do in my shoes?
I don't know, Marion. You're the only guy that can answer that.
I've seen a lot of funny things happen on this lash-up.
I've seen girls like Rae...
And I know Marines that took a chance on them and married them.
Most of the time it worked out okay.
They're a funny breed, kid.
If they find the right man...
...they can give him the love and the understanding...
...that all of us want but few of us get.
But the guy has to be a big man.
He's gotta erase an awful lot of ugly pictures from his mind.
Gomez, come here. Where'd you get them ribbons?
- Army-Navy store. - Take them off before you get locked up.
Strike me, look at the medals on the bloke.
He must have been everywhere, eh, Marine?
This boy's been around, buddy.
You see this one here?
Silver Star. Won it for gallantry on Guadalcanal.
I'll never forget that day as long as I live.
Me and my boys were on this patrol...
...over the Kokumbona River near Tassafaronga Point.
And what happens? I get lost from the rest of the men.
So I come to this clearing. It's blazing hot...
...120 in the shade, sweat gushing off me...
...when all of a sudden, boom! Everything hit the fan.
They must have thought I was a general.
Japs popped up from everywhere.
I peer over to my left, and what do I see?
- What was it? - What was it?
A Jap machine gun looking right down my throat.
- Blimey! What do you do? - So I look for a fast exit.
But in back of me, three Japs with rifles.
Gracious goodness! Go on! Go on!
And to top it off, a Jap sniper sat in a treetop.
- Makes me shudder to think of it. - What happened?
So I say to myself, "Joe...
...a hundred broads from Chicago to St. Louis will be grieving today."
There was nothing for me to do but to lower my head and charge!
- Out with it! What happened? - What happened? I got killed!
I've been had.
- Well, I'll see you, kid. - Mac?
Thanks.
Dear Rae, it was good to hear from you again...
On Thanksgiving, the whole outfit got three-day passes...
... and we headed for Wellington. All except Andy. He disappeared.
We found out later that Pat had invited him to her father's farm outside Masterton.
Well, now, has my daughter shown you all of the farm?
Oh, yes, and I never knew there could be a place like this.
Come with me. I've got something I want to show you.
- Do you want to come along? - I'll help Mama with dinner.
Come on, Hank.
What do you think of him, Mother?
Why, he's built like a bull.
- What kind of a soldier is he? - He's not a soldier, he's a Marine.
A Marine? Oh, yes, they call them roughnecks.
No, no, leathernecks.
You'd need a horse's collar to get around him.
Patty is touchy about what I'm going to show you...
...but she loves this land as all of us Rogers do. That I know.
Running off to Wellington proved nothing to the contrary.
When the wire came about her husband, she just left us...
...just couldn't get adjusted to herself.
Then when her brother Timmy was killed, she didn't seem to want to ever return.
This land was bought for Timmy.
I suppose the land belongs to Patty now.
My son planted that ax before he went away.
He said he'd return one day and clear this land.
I'm afraid the ax is frozen, Andy.
You handle that ax just like my son Timmy.
As I was saying, Andy, life here is simple.
Not much like your America.
A good wife, a good pipe, a good dog...
...and a piece of land. It's the only way to live.
I hope you don't mind the whole clan busting in tonight...
...but we haven't seen Patty in a long time...
...and we need cause to gather now and then.
They were all wonderful. I hope they liked me.
Yank, they loved you.
It's not a happy lot for us, Andy.
So many of our boys gone.
Come along, old girl.
Let's turn in and give the young folks a chance before the log dies out.
- Good night. - Good night.
Pat, we're leaving New Zealand soon, and I want you to know one thing.
I'm glad I came here, and I'm glad I found you.
You don't know how fouled up I am inside me.
It's the kind of a thing a guy can't shake overnight.
The only women I ever knew were in the halls of the lumber towns.
Maybe it's a good thing about us leaving.
Maybe I can get myself squared away.
I know how scared you are over losing your husband and your brother.
Do you suppose you'll ever come back to New Zealand?
You can never tell about the Marines. Here today, gone tomorrow.
Andy, stop.
We both know you'll never come back.
Oh, this rotten war.
Look, I know we're just friends, but would you write me?
I never get letters like the other guys.
Would you write me?
I mean, nothing to tie you down.
Just stuff about the farm and your family, things like that.
Would you?
I'll write to you.
Pat, I never knew there could be a place like this...
...or people so nice. Like your family.
Honey, could I?
No, Andy, no.
We mustn't. We mustn't.
Don't be angry with me, Andy.
I'm not angry, Pat. I understand, honey.
- Good night. - Good night.