Navy Blue and Gold

Director: Sam Wood Sam Wood

Overview

MGM's Navy Blue and Gold prettily dresses up some of the oldest cliches in the "military cadet" movie genre. The film charts the progress of three Annapolis "plebes," all played by actors in the age range of 24 to 30. Wisecracking Roger Ash (Robert Young) is a cynic, wide-eyed Richard Gates Jr. (Tom Brown) is overeager), and reclusive Truck Cross (James Stewart) harbors a dark secret. When not going about their appointed duties, Ash and Cross battle over the attentions of heroine Patricia (Florence Rice), Gates' sister. All the while, Captain Skinny Dawes (Lionel Barrymore), the traditional crusty old seafarin' man with a heart of gold, tries to instill the love of Honor, Duty and Country in all three heroes. The plot is resolved in a climactic football game, with everyone showing his true colors (blue and gold, of course!) Many of the plot devices and stereotypical characters in Navy Blue and Gold would continue to resurface in similar films for the next five decades -- even in the R-rated Officer and a Gentleman (1980).

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2012
UPC:	0883316452257
Original Release:	1937
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	33,657

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Young	Roger Ash
James Stewart	John Tuck Cross
Tom Brown	Richard Gates Jr.
Lionel Barrymore	Capt. Skinny Dawes
Florence Rice	Patricia Gates
Billie Burke	Mrs. Alyce Gates
Samuel S. Hinds	Richard A. Gates Sr.
Paul Kelly	Tommy Milton
Frank Albertson	Weeks
Barnett Parker	Albert Graves
Minor Watson	Lt. Milburn
Robert Middlemass	Academy Superintendent
Phillip Terry	Kelly
Charles Waldron	Cmdr. Carter
Pat Flaherty	Coach of Southern Institute
Matt McHugh	Heckler
Ted Pearson	Harnet
Don 'Red' Barry	Fellow Back
Jack Pennick	Fireman
Paul Barrett	Classman
Will Morgan	Classman,Lieutenant of Marines
Eddie Hart	Official
Tom Hanlon	Commentator
John Hiestand	Commentator
Roger Converse	Size Inspector
Don Douglas	Lt. North
Robert Hoover	Parr
Walter Soderling	Dr. Ryder
K.T. Stevens	Actor

Technical Credits

John Hoffman	Special Effects
Sam Wood	Director
Sam Zimbalist	Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Navy Blue and Gold
1. Chapter 1 [1:30]
2. Chapter 2 [3:14]
3. Chapter 3 [2:15]
4. Chapter 4 [3:05]
5. Chapter 5 [5:04]
6. Chapter 6 [2:12]
7. Chapter 7 [5:03]
8. Chapter 8 [3:25]
9. Chapter 9 [2:45]
10. Chapter 10 [7:46]
11. Chapter 11 [2:07]
12. Chapter 12 [3:23]
13. Chapter 13 [2:26]
14. Chapter 14 [4:34]
15. Chapter 15 [6:25]
16. Chapter 16 [2:13]
17. Chapter 17 [3:02]
18. Chapter 18 [4:29]
19. Chapter 19 [2:26]
20. Chapter 20 [5:25]
21. Chapter 21 [3:04]
22. Chapter 22 [2:05]
23. Chapter 23 [2:33]
24. Chapter 24 [2:09]
25. Chapter 25 [2:49]
26. Chapter 26 [2:35]
27. Chapter 27 [2:46]
28. Chapter 28 [2:09]
29. Chapter 29 [:41]

Menu

Disc #1 -- Navy Blue and Gold
   Play
   Trailer
   Chapters

Editorial Reviews

Even in 1937, the story of Navy Blue and Gold was not exactly fresh; in the decades since then, it has become downright clichéd. As such, there's little to the basic plot that is going to engage most viewers today. We know the character types, we know the complications that the plot will throw at them, and we know more or less how they will triumph in the end. We even know how things are going to turn out with the ailing Captain whose health seems to depend upon a victory over Army in the big football game. Fortunately, Navy has Robert Young and Jimmy Stewart, as well as Lionel Barrymore, around to keep us interested when the script fails. (It also has Tom Brown as the third young cadet, but Brown is merely pleasant, not memorable.) Young could play this kind of role in his sleep, but he brings conviction to the part and pulls a few small acting surprises to keep us interested. Stewart, early in his career here, is great fun to watch, as sincere and honorable as one could wish but with a certain hint of rawness that makes him all the more watchable. And, of course, no one could play Lionel Barrymore better than Lionel Barrymore. Throw in some fine support in small roles and let director Sam Wood take advantage of his predilection for sports and for heightened drama, and the result is a film with a trite story that still can be recommended.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler