When the U.S. forces withdraw from Java, ahead of the Japanese invasion, U.S. Navy doctor Corydon M. Wassell coordinates the remaining wounded servicemen and leads them to safety towards the... Read allWhen the U.S. forces withdraw from Java, ahead of the Japanese invasion, U.S. Navy doctor Corydon M. Wassell coordinates the remaining wounded servicemen and leads them to safety towards the last Allied evacuation points.When the U.S. forces withdraw from Java, ahead of the Japanese invasion, U.S. Navy doctor Corydon M. Wassell coordinates the remaining wounded servicemen and leads them to safety towards the last Allied evacuation points.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
- British Convoy Commander
- (uncredited)
- U.S. Sailor
- (uncredited)
- Robert Kraus
- (uncredited)
- Wounded Dutch Soldier
- (uncredited)
- Mate of the 'Janssen'
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMentioned in the fictional novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (Truman Capote). Holly Golightly has been set up for a screen test for one of the nurses in the film; instead of taking the test, she goes away to New York.
- GoofsDuring the evacuation convoy, the trucks are alternately shown on paved and dirt roads between shots.
- Quotes
Dutch Army Captain: Unless the Japanese can be stopped, it will be impossible for any of your 42 wounded sailors to escape.
Dr. Corydon M. Wassell: Good gravy.
- Crazy creditsAfter the closing Paramount logo Cecil B. DeMille addresses the audience over a blank screen: "Ladies and gentlemen just a moment please. Since the completion of The Story of Dr. Wassell, we have heard that Hoppy is alive. A prisoner of war of the Japanese. Thank you."
- ConnectionsFeatured in Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic (2004)
"The Story of Dr. Wassell" is a little long and gets off to a slow start, but holds up thanks to Gary Cooper and the audience's involvement with some of the well-drawn supporting characters. By the time the movie is over, you feel like you've been in the war with them. I'm not sure if that's due to the length of the film or what the soldiers went through.
Cooper was about 43 years old when this film was made, yet he still retained that boyish smile of his. I've never figured out if he was a great actor or not; he was so outrageously handsome, I just can't stop staring at him. He didn't have James Stewart's range, Bogart's timing or Wayne's biting voice, but there was something very solid about him, as well as virile, likable, and magnetic. He also has a no-nonsense way of portraying a character, kind of cutting to the chase, and his performance really carries this film. Laraine Day doesn't have a very big role - in fact, she's wasted. The movie does provide a showy role for Dennis O'Keefe (who replaced Alan Ladd) and Signe Hasso, a very good actress often relegated to B films. O'Keefe plays a wounded soldier named Hoppy - and if you see this film, don't turn it off when you see "The End" because Mr. DeMille actually has an update about him.
The script could have been tighter, but "The Story of Dr. Wassell" is good entertainment, maybe a little dated, but nevertheless the story of a real-life hero who deservedly won the Purple Heart.
- blanche-2
- Mar 11, 2007
- How long is The Story of Dr. Wassell?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Cecil B. DeMille's The Story of Dr. Wassell
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,720,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 20 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1