The Marines Come Thru (1938) / War Dogs (1942) (DVD)

The U.S. Military has developed a new bombsight that could change the outcome of the war. Assigned to protect this new invention is Marine Lieutenant Steve Landers. He is also lucky enough to be engaged to Linda Dale, his commanding officer's sexy young daughter. Unbeknownst to Landers, his regiment hides a traitor and fifth columnist, Dick Weber. He steals the plans for the bombsight and kidnaps Linda as insurance against her fiance. Landers must now lead his fellow Marines on a rescue mission to save Linda and keep the bombsight out of enemy hands.

Shot entirely in Florida, The Marines Come Thru is the final film appearance of blonde chorus girl turned movie star Toby Wing. After filming completed, Wing retired from show business completely to marry aviator Dick Merrill. Despite her popularity with male audiences, The Marines Come Thru originally went unreleased. Wartime demand for patriotic features lead to it finally appearing as Fight On, Marines! in 1942, inadvertently extending Wing's career by four years. The New York Board of Review forbid the film from being exported to other countries, feeling that the comic relief characters played Grant Withers and Wallace Ford reflected poorly on the Marines. Director Louis J. Gasnier is best remembered for the exploitation classic Reefer Madness (1936).

PLUS: War Dogs (BW, 1942): Billy Freeman comes from a broken home. His mother died when he was an infant, driving his father to a life of alcoholism. The boy's only real friend is his dog, Pal. When World War II breaks out, he is given the chance to move to a better home if he donates his beloved pet to the war effort. But Billy may find that Pal's friendship is worth more than a life of luxury. This heartwarming feature was made in conjunction with the War Department and stars child actor Billy Lee and Ace the Wonder Dog, RKO's answer to Rin Tin Tin. Female lead Kay Linaker later wrote the cult classic The Blob (1958) under the pen name "Kate Phillips." Starring Billy Lee, Ace the Wonder Dog, Kay Linaker, Addison Richards, and Herbert Rawlinson. Directed by S. Roy Luby.

• action
• adventure