The Cockleshell Heroes *** (1955, José Ferrer, Trevor Howard, Dora Bryan, Victor Maddern, Anthony Newley, Peter Arne, David Lodge, Walter Fitzgerald, Yana, Christopher Lee) – Classic Movie Review 8011

Director-star José Ferrer’s 1955 British CinemaScope and Technicolor war film The Cockleshell Heroes is a sturdy account of a brave and dashing World War Two wartime exploit – the planting of mines on German enemy craft in the harbour at Bordeaux in occupied France – by a band of Royal Marines. The very dangerous mission is the covert destruction of the whole Nazi shipyard.

The recruits are led by Royal Marine Reserve Major Stringer (José Ferrer) and veteran Captain Thompson (Trevor Howard), who bicker and fall out on the way to eventual admiration for each other.

The characterisations of the officers and the men of the other ranks are conventionally drawn, but there is enough interest in the story and gusto to the action to sweep the film along. Ferrer directs as well as stars along with Howard and both give excellent performances.

Christopher Lee plays Submarine Commander Alan Greves. The exotic singer Yana appears as Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wren) singer in pub, performing ‘The London I Love’. Yana, born on 16 February 1932 in Romford, Essex, as Pamela Guard, performs her hit ‘Climb Up the Wall’ in the 1956 adventure Zarak and ‘Anyone For Love’ in the 1956 adventure Interpol [Pickup Alley].

Also in the cast are Victor Maddern as Marine Sergeant Craig, Anthony Newley as Marine Clarke, Peter Arne as Marine Corporal Stevens, David Lodge as Marine Ruddock, Walter Fitzgerald, Dora Bryan as Myrtle, Beatrice Campbell, Percy Herbert, as Marine Lomas John Van Eyssen, Karel Stepanek, Sydney Tafler, Gladys Henson, Judith Furse, Sam Kydd, John Blythe, Chris Adcock and the 19-year-old Jess Conrad in his debut as Sailor in Pub. Popular singer and actor Jess Conrad was born on 24 February 1936 in London as Gerald James. 

The Cockleshell Heroes is directed by José Ferrer, runs 97 minutes, is made by Warwick Film Productions, is released by Columbia Pictures, is written by Bryan Forbes and Richard Maibaum, is shot in CinemaScope and Technicolor by John Wilcox and Ted Moore, is produced by Irving Allen, Albert R Broccoli and Phil C Samuel, and is scored by John Addison.

The US premiere in San Diego, California, was attended by members of the United States Marine Corp.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 8011

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