Destroyer * (1943, Edward G Robinson, Glenn Ford, Marguerite Chapman, Edgar Buchanan, Leo Gorcey, Regis Toomey, Ed Brophy) – Classic Movie Review 13,421

The 1943 American war film Destroyer is based on a story by Frank Wead, and stars Edward G Robinson, Glenn Ford, Marguerite Chapman, and Edgar Buchanan.

Director William A Seiter’s 1943 American war film Destroyer is based on a story by Frank Wead, and stars Edward G Robinson, Glenn Ford, Marguerite Chapman, Edgar Buchanan, Leo Gorcey, Regis Toomey, and Ed Brophy.

Veteran matelot Steve ‘Boley’ Boleslavski (Edward G Robinson) annoys everybody as bosun of the (fictional) new destroyer John Paul Jones II, including petty officer Mickey Donohue (Glenn Ford), in the Second World War.

Destroyer is an annoying film, very skimpy on plot and sketchily done, with a bit of love interest in the middle (Marguerite Chapman romances Ford), a bit of action at the end, and an uncomfortable Edward G throughout in an unsympathetic part. Ford and Chapman seem none too comfortable either.

Boley punches Mickey and is demoted to Bosun’s Mate with Mickey reappointed Chief Bosun’s Mate. Boley’s daughter Mary (Marguerite Chapman) persuades Mickey to keep Boley on board, sparking a romance between Mickey and Mary, who get married in secret.

The cast

The cast are Edward G Robinson as Steve ‘Boley’ Boleslavski, Glenn Ford as Mickey Donohue, Marguerite Chapman as Mary Boleslavski, Edgar Buchanan as Kansas Jackson, Leo Gorcey as Sarecky, Regis Toomey as Lieutenant Commander Clark, Edward Brophy as Casey, Warren Ashe as Lieutenant Morton, Benson Fong as Japanese sonar man, Richard Loo as Japanese submarine captain, Lloyd Bridges as Second Fireman, Larry Parks as Ensign, Bobby Jordan as Sobbing Sailor, Kenneth MacDonald as Naval Commandant, Pierre Watkin as Admiral, Craig Woods, Curt Bois, Pierre Watkin, Al Hill, and Roger Clark.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,421

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