Destination Tokyo
Directed by Delmer Daves
Written by Delmer Daves and Albert Maltz from an original story by Steve Fisher
1943/USA
Warner Bros
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Sparks: How come they picked you?
Wolf: I don’t know. Strong arm, strong back, weak mind![/box]
This goes way overboard in the propaganda department at times. Â Cary Grant is solid in a dramatic role and it is always a treat when John Garfield is around.
Captain Cassidy (Grant) welcomes his crew back on the submarine U.S. Copperfin which has secret orders to be opened only at sea.  We see a mixed bag of seasoned men and new recruits getting to know each other and life in confined spaces under the sea. (Don’t think Das Boot here.  This sub was made in Hollywood).  There are a number of stock characters such as the loveable cook (Alan Hale); wise-guy ‘Wolf’ (Garfield) who is always talking about his adventures with dames, a family man (whose days are clearly limited), a very nervous rookie, etc.
Captain Cassidy learns that the sub is to pick up an expert in the Aleutians and deliver him to Tokyo. Â Once there, Wolf and the expert scour Tokyo in commando gear to get information on its defenses. Â The film ends with the 1942 Doolittle raid on the city.
This one goes beyond hatred of the Japanese military for trying to kill Americans to downright demonization of the Japanese people.  It is said they have no concept or word for love of a man for a woman, they give their children daggers at age 5, etc.
But more than that, this movie consists of action sequences separated by long interludes of cliches – the atheist who learns the value of prayer, the family man, the appendectomy by a pharmacist’s mate, the banter, etc.  This material does not justify the film’s 2 hour and 15 minute running time.  Maybe something resembling this happened but I did not believe the spying scenario for one minute.  There is nothing at all wrong with any of the performances.
Destination Tokyo was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Original Story.
Trailer
