Paramount's So Proudly We Hail, like MGM's Cry Havoc, is a tribute to the Red Cross nurses trapped behind enemy lines in the early days of the Pacific war. Claudette Colbert is the self-sacrificing head nurse, struggling to minister to the wounded and to keep her staff (including Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake and Barbara Britton, all of them giving better than usual performances) from buckling under the pressure. Taking into consideration the regular fans of the film's female cast, the
producers thoughtfully include several scenes in which the ladies pursue their romantic lives. The story culminates with the fall of Bataan, ending on a resigned but optimistic note; this finale was designed to lift the spirits of the audience, which in 1943 wasn't so certain as Hollywood of final victory. So Proudly We Hail was not only effective propaganda (though not as effective as Cry Havoc), but it also enabled Paramount to introduce its new crop of male hunks--including the estimable Sonny Tufts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Paramount went out of its way to deglamorize its stars, Claudette Colbert, Veronica Lake and Paulette Goddard as WWII army nurses, but even by the era's standards this well-intentioned tribute was fake, prompting critic James Agee's nasty review.
Creates real tension, and as long as you can live with 1940s-style special effects, this is a reasonably effective war movie from the unique perspective of army nurses.
Three words: Claudette Colbert, Veronica Lake & Paulette Goddard. Oh wait, that's six words (seven if you count the "&"). Gloriously sentimental and probably the most patriotic film I've ever seen.
February 5, 2009
Randy Tippy
Super Reviewer
Ultra patriotic look at women at war in WWII. Veronica is tough as nails.
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