IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.3K
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The story of a large U.S. Marines invasion task force bound for Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1942.The story of a large U.S. Marines invasion task force bound for Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1942.The story of a large U.S. Marines invasion task force bound for Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1942.
Eddie Acuff
- Pvt. Tex Mcllvoy
- (uncredited)
Warren Ashe
- Col. Morton
- (uncredited)
Martin Black
- Marine
- (uncredited)
Marion Carl
- Marine Pilot
- (uncredited)
Harry Carter
- Dispatch Officer
- (uncredited)
Tom Dawson
- Captain
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMarine Corps Capt. Marion Carl, a multi-ace (18.5 air victories), makes an appearance as a Marine Corps pilot. Capt. Carl wears his baseball cap with the bill pointed skyward and makes the comment, "Don't look now, fellas, but a truck of gas just came on the field." Capt. Carl was a survivor of the Battle of Midway and the air campaign for Guadalcanal in 1942. He was awarded 2 Navy Crosses for his actions at Midway and Guadalcanal. Sadly, on June 28, 1998, he was murdered in his Oregon home by a home intruder.
- GoofsWhen Japanese snipers hid in the tops of trees, they tied themselves into their positions. They did not fall out of the trees when shot.
- Quotes
Cpl. Aloysius T. 'Taxi' Potts: [In dugout waiting out a heavy artillery barrage] I don't mind the one with my name on it. It's the one that says, 'To whom it may concern' that I don't like.
[after the barrage increases]
Cpl. Aloysius T. 'Taxi' Potts: They're throwing everything at us but the kitchen stove.
Gunnery Sgt. Hook Malone: [after an even louder explosion] That's the stove now!
- Crazy creditsThe film's opening prologue in the preface of a book states: A new chapter in the history of America by a correspondent who landed on Guadalcanal with the first detachment of United States Marines.
- ConnectionsEdited into All This and World War II (1976)
- SoundtracksMarine Hymn
(uncredited)
Music by Jacques Offenbach from "Geneviève de Brabant"
Played during the opening credits and occasionally in the score
Featured review
Gripping war film was another morale booster during World War II...
Like BATAAN and WAKE ISLAND, GUADALCANAL DIARY is another of the many gripping war films that captured attention during WWII, complete with narration by Reed Hadley as the war correspondent telling the story of how U.S. Marines fought and died at Guadalcanal. At first, the marines met no resistance since the Japanese had scattered, but soon the battles became fierce and the war drama deepens.
A stalwart cast of players gives life to the many characters, some stereotypes to be sure, but vivid, nonetheless. Interesting how RICHARD JAECKEL managed to be in just about every war film ever made during the '40s and well into future decades, still keeping his fresh-faced appeal as a baby-faced Marine. PRESTON FOSTER is the leader here, filling the sort of role usually held by Brian Donlevy, and the assorted cast members include ANTHONY QUINN, LLOYD NOLAN, RICHARD CONTE, RALPH BYRD and the ever present WILLIAM BENDIX as the guy from Brooklyn.
There's plenty to admire about the gritty and realistic battles and the overall quality of the performances, and sure, it's propaganda, the kind America needed at the time to keep morale high during the war, but it's well worth watching as a reminder of the sacrifices all these men made on behalf of our freedom today.
Trivia note: Just read Christopher Mulrooney's review of this film and you have to wonder what planet he's coming from.
A stalwart cast of players gives life to the many characters, some stereotypes to be sure, but vivid, nonetheless. Interesting how RICHARD JAECKEL managed to be in just about every war film ever made during the '40s and well into future decades, still keeping his fresh-faced appeal as a baby-faced Marine. PRESTON FOSTER is the leader here, filling the sort of role usually held by Brian Donlevy, and the assorted cast members include ANTHONY QUINN, LLOYD NOLAN, RICHARD CONTE, RALPH BYRD and the ever present WILLIAM BENDIX as the guy from Brooklyn.
There's plenty to admire about the gritty and realistic battles and the overall quality of the performances, and sure, it's propaganda, the kind America needed at the time to keep morale high during the war, but it's well worth watching as a reminder of the sacrifices all these men made on behalf of our freedom today.
Trivia note: Just read Christopher Mulrooney's review of this film and you have to wonder what planet he's coming from.
helpful•52
- Doylenf
- Oct 8, 2006
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Richard Tregaskis' Guadalcanal Diary
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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