CREST OF THE WAVE (1954)

On an island off the west coast of Scotland is a small British naval base where secret experiments are being conducted involving a new kind of torpedo (don’t worry, it's just a McGuffin). The last two tests have resulted in deaths—there is some problem with the torpedo exploding as soon as it's released from the sub, killing all aboard. Lt. Bradville (Gene Kelly) has been called in from the States to investigate, bringing with him his assistants Butch and Shorty. There is some internal tension among the handful of volunteer sailors on the island, but they bond in their resentment of the intruding Americans, and the situation worsens when Badger, one of the British sailors, discovers that Butch is the Yank who stole his girl away during the war. Eventually, relations soften between the two sides, and when the British lieutenant Wharton (John Justin) figures out a possible solution to the torpedo problem, Bradville insists on being on the test sub, not knowing for sure what the outcome will be. This is based on a hit British play called Seagulls Over Sorrento (also the British name for the film)—the sailors jokingly refer to the barren island as Sorrento, an Italian resort town. Frankly, it's an odd duck of a movie. Its stage origins are obvious, and it actually works best during those scenes as we get to know the sailors and their conflicts, serious and humorous. Attempts at opening up the movie are weak, and part of the problem is Gene Kelly. It seems strange that after the one-two punch of An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain, MGM would assign him to this drab B-movie. He seems listless and bored, and his role winds up being relatively small, not getting much more screen time than anyone else. Justin, as the British officer, is OK and the supporting cast is strong, including the handsome Jeff Richards as Butch, Fredd Wayne as Shorty, and Bernard Lee and Sidney James as British sailors. Exteriors were shot on the Channel Islands and are effective. Not a bad movie, but a bit disappointing, and not a must-see even for Kelly fans—though Jeff Richards fans may feel differently. Pictured from left are Fredd Wayne (who later was known for his portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in a one-man stage show), Sidney James and Jeff Richards. [DVD]