“Guadalcanal Diary,” “Flesh and Fantasy” (Movie Reviews-11/18/43)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 11/18/43 | Bosley Crowther, T.M.P.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Richard Tregaskis returned from Guadalcanal about 13 months ago with his diary. Since then it has been converted to a screenplay and the whole movie has been produced and hit the movie screens of the nation. That seems fast.

From the review: “Baldly, they have made the implication that air support did not reach Henderson Field until Oct. 14, although the fact is that we had fighters there by mid-August.”

Good catch, Bosley, or did you get Hanson Baldwin to accompany you to the screening to help with details like that.

Netflix has “Guadalcanal Diary” on DVD. I watched it last year on instant download but that is not available at this time.

[Mikey_1962]

It’s hard for me to imagine William Bendix in a heavy dramatic role

[JoeProBono]

[Homer_J_Simpson]

We don’t get to read about “Lifeboat” until January.

[Dr. Ursus]

Bendix was a Yankee batboy when Babe Ruth played.

[Mouton]

Loved him in “the life of Riley” series.

[Hotlanta Mike]

The Thin Red Line is one of the best movies about war based on James Jones’ novel (fictionalized) which place at Guadalcanal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCmlOhsIwBk

[Mikey_1962]

Wow

[Mikey_1962]

All I remember him for is Babe Ruth and The Life of Riley.

Both are childhood memories.

[Dr. Ursus]

“What a revolt in’ development this is”

[Psalm 73]

“Guadalcanal Diary” - original book is so much better than the movie (books almost always are)
Read it when I was 11, again in my 30's, and read it again last year - other than the Bible, the only book I've read more than two times.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I read the book back in the 1960s, and saw the movie. Very good! I love these old newspaper adds which show movies that most people have never heard of but were BIG in their day.

Makes me realize that their are still movies out there that are worth watching in opposition to the trash on the screen today.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

“Guadalcanal Diary” - original book is so much better than the movie (books almost always are)

Beginning on our July 27, 1943 post (see reply #3) we serialized virtually the entire book. I posted every day through Tregaskis's stay on the island and his flight out.

[Wiggins]

One my favorite William Bendix parts of Guadalcanal Diary is when a Palm Tree branch falls on him while he was sleeping and he screams for help. There was no PC in movies in those days.

[JoeProBono]

[Wiggins]

LOL! I love it.

[MasterGunner01]

When I was a kid growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, the first two nonfiction books I read were Richard Tregaskis’ “Guadalcanal Diary” and Quentin Reynolds’ “Battle of Britain”. I was much impressed by the heroic Marines and RAF fliers who fought against impossible odds and won.

Today, the deeds of these heroes are largely forgotten by an ignorant and self absorbed public that is obsessed with social networking and celebrity and fame. The cult of being famous for being famous is hollow and sterile.