Stand by for Action

Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas's (Charles Laughton) spoken tribute to "the finest Naval officer I knew" provides the framework for this wartime flag waver. Robert Taylor stars as Gregg Masterman, a flippant socialite who comes to realize his obligation to his country when he is called to active duty during World War II. After Masterman is passed over in favor of Lieutenant Commander M.J. Roberts (Brian Donlevy), the men forget their differences in a climactic battle with a formidable Japanese "super-battleship."