Watch Salute to the Marines

Salute to the Marines is a 1943 American war drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and directed by S. Sylvan Simon. This movie tells the story of a retired Marine sergeant, Dan S. Bailey (Wallace Beery), who returns to his hometown to take care of his wife's affairs after she dies. Bailey's son Johnny (Tom Drake) is serving in the Marines and is also stationed in the Pacific. The story is set during World War II and showcases the experiences of people who stayed behind in the home front and the sacrifices they made for the war effort.

The film begins with Bailey receiving the news of his wife's death while he was playing golf with his friends. He decides to return to his hometown and settle her affairs, but he finds that his wife has left many unresolved issues behind. Bailey discovers that his wife's tenant, Cathy (Fay Bainter), is struggling financially and decides to help her. Cathy has a son, Eric (John Ridgely), who is in the military and is set to join the Marines, just like his mother's ex-husband. Bailey and Cathy slowly develop a romantic attraction for each other in the film.

As the war rages on in the Pacific, Bailey receives the news that his son has been injured in combat and is being transported back to the United States for medical treatment. The film shows the emotional journey of Bailey as he worries about his son and waits for updates about his condition. Bailey's relationships with his family and friends change as he deals with the stress of waiting for his son's return, and his experiences highlight the unique challenges that people on the home front faced during the war.

The movie is full of powerful scenes that showcase the struggles of the people who remained behind during the war. One particularly poignant scene shows Bailey taking Cathy and her son to a dinner dance, where they are ostracized by the other attendees because of their association with Bailey. Bailey is forced to confront the prejudices of his community and to make a stand against them to protect Cathy and her son.

The film features a strong cast of actors, including Wallace Beery, who gives a captivating and emotional performance as the retired Marine sergeant. Beery's portrayal of Bailey is powerful and nuanced, and he brings a depth of emotion to the role that makes the character both relatable and sympathetic. Fay Bainter's performance as Cathy is also noteworthy, and she delivers a nuanced and emotional performance that makes the audience empathize with her character's plight.

In addition to the performances of the actors, the film is also notable for its depiction of the sacrifices that people made during World War II. The film showcases the emotional and psychological toll the war took on people, and the hardships they faced as they struggled to support the troops and maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives. Salute to the Marines is a tribute to the brave men and women who fought in the war, and to the families and communities that supported them from the home front.

Overall, Salute to the Marines is a powerful and emotional film that explores the experiences of people on the home front during World War II. It is a tribute to the sacrifices that people made during the war, and to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. The film's strong performances, powerful message, and compelling storyline make it a classic of American cinema, and a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the war.

Salute to the Marines is a 1943 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.