Don't Go Near the Wateris a 1957 Americancomedy filmabout a U.S. Navy public relations unit stationed on an island in thePacific OceanduringWorld War II.It is an adaptation of the 1956novel of the same namebyWilliam Brinkley.Glenn FordandGia Scalastar. This is the first of severalservice comediesthat Ford appeared in after the huge success ofThe Teahouse of the August Moon.The movie was very successful and further solidified Ford's reputation as an adept comedic actor.
| Don't Go Near the Water | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Walters |
| Screenplay by | Dorothy Kingsley George Wells |
| Based on | Don't Go Near the Water 1956 novel byWilliam Brinkley |
| Produced by | Lawrence Weingarten |
| Starring | Glenn Ford Gia Scala Earl Holliman Anne Francis Keenan Wynn Fred Clark |
| Cinematography | Robert J. Bronner |
| Edited by | Adrienne Fazan |
| Music by | Bronislau Kaper |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,495,000[1] |
| Box office | $6,140,000[1] |
Plot
edit
Lieutenant (j.g.)Max Siegel and other US Navy personnel are stuck in a public relations unit far from the fighting. Lieutenant Commander Clinton T. Nash, their commanding officer and a stockbroker in civilian life, refuses to allow anyone to transfer out. Much of Siegel's time is spent showing war correspondents (like obnoxious Gordon Ripwell) and visiting Congressmen around the island.
One day, Siegel spots beautiful local schoolteacher Melora Alba. Despite some formidable obstacles, he eventually wins her love. However, they break up when he wants to live in New York City to further his career, while she feels she is needed on the island.
Meanwhile, Siegel'syeoman,Adam Garrett, falls in love with Navy nurse Alice Tomlen, which constitutes a serious breach of Navy regulations, as Tomlen is an officer while Garrett is only an enlisted man. However, Siegel pretends to be dating her himself in order to give Garrett the opportunity to spend time with her. This couple also fall in love. When Nash finds out, Siegel suggests a fitting punishment would be a transfer to a fighting unit (something Garrett very much wants).
With the Army hogging the news headlines, Nash comes up with the idea to take an ordinary sailor and send him on a morale-boosting tour, all highly publicized. He chooses Farragut Jones. Unfortunately, Jones turns out to be foul-mouthed and heavily tattooed, not exactly what Nash had hoped for. He assigns Siegel to smooth out Jones's rough edges, with limited success.
Later, Siegel has to escort another war correspondent, the shapely and blonde Deborah Aldrich, when she finagles her way aboard aheavy cruiseron its way to a combat operation, much to Admiral Junius Boatwright's disapproval.
With the end of the war, Siegel realizes that he cannot live without Melora, and decides to remain on the island.
Cast
edit- Glenn Fordas Lieutenant (j.g.) Max Siegel
- Gia Scalaas Melora Alba
- Earl Hollimanas Adam Garrett
- Anne Francisas Lieutenant (j.g.) Alice Tomlen
- Keenan Wynnas Gordon Ripwell
- Fred Clarkas Lieutenant Commander Clinton T. Nash
- Eva Gaboras Deborah Aldrich
- Russ Tamblynas Ensign Tyson
- Jeff Richardsas Lieutenant Ross Pendleton
- Mickey Shaughnessyas Farragut Jones
- Howard Smithas Admiral Junius Boatwright
- Romney Brentas Mr. Alba, Melora's father
- Mary Wickesas Janie, a nurse who enjoys the attention resulting from being one of the few American women on the island
- Jack Straw as Lieutenant Commander Gladstone
- Robert Nicholsas Lieutenant Commander Hereford
- John Aldersonas Lieutenant Commander Diplock
- Jack Albertsonas Rep. George Jansen
- Charles Watts as Rep. Arthur Smithfield
Reception
editAccording to MGM records, the film earned $4,265,000 in the US and Canada, and $1,875,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $1,004,000.[1]
