They Were Expendable
“A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!”
Not yet rated
Synopsis
After a demonstration of new PT boats, Navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.
Cast
Robert Montgomery·Lt. John Brickley
John Wayne·Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan
Donna Reed·Lt. Sandy Davyss
Jack Holt·General Martin
Ward Bond·"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
Marshall Thompson·Ens. 'Snake' Gardner
Paul Langton·Ens. 'Andy' Andrews
Leon Ames·Major James Morton
Arthur Walsh·Seaman Jones
Donald Curtis·Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long
Average shot length
9.8s per shot
John Ford's career average is 10.1s across 45 measured films —see the full picture.