In Harm's Way (1965 ) - Preminger

Plot:  Based on the James Bassett Novel.  A US Navy Captain fights the Japanese and finds Romance in the South Pacific 

Stars:  Patricia Neal, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Burgess Meredith,  Dana Andrews

A mixed bag.  One of last Big Screen B&W World war II movies, it was puzzling choice by Otto Preminger,  a director better known for film noir, musicals, and sex dramas. A big budget, sprawling affair with an all-star cast, it suffers from a too literal adaptation of the source novel and an uneasy mixture of melodrama, action, and romance.  Despite the assistance of the US Navy, and onlocation filming in Hawaii,  Preminger has little feel for action scenes or military affairs.  The cast saves what could have been a massive failure,  with Neal and Wayne having excellent chemistry, and Douglas adding some spice as the reckless, violent, and impulsive 2nd in Command.  Overall, mediocre with some good scenes here and there.  Its too bad John Ford wasn't hired to direct. 

Best Scene:  Pretty much every scene with Neal and Wayne hits a homerun.  2nd choice: Douglas slaps some sense into a "Spy" sent by Andrews to keep tabs on them. 

Worst Scene: Minature ships fight a battle in a bathtub.  

Best Supporting player:  Patrick O'Neal as the slimey, two-faced,  Neal Owynn

Worst supporting actors:  Carrol O'Connor and Slim Pickens are unbelievable as Navy Personnel

Most Memorable Scene:  An unfaithful wife and her lover are machined gunned by a Zero on December 7th 

Silliest Scene:  Bearded Navy Commander Kirk Douglas greets a US cruiser in a native canoe, and hands outs Lei's to the nurses and officers on board.