It opened across the united states on july 4, 1944. Wassell gary cooper, who is stationed in the east indies during. The film was based on a book of the same name by novelist and screenwriter james hilton the book and film were inspired by the wartime activities of u. Wassell for departing from the facts, though of course to the critics that was only one of its vices. Roosevelts fireside chats when the president told the story of dr.
Gary cooper reprises his 1944 film role in the title role. Wassell is een amerikaanse avonturenfilm uit 1944 onder regie van cecil b. In the midst of war and death it is a story of saving life not destroying it. Fdrs subject that night was a man named corydon wassell, an arkansas doctor and naval officer who had recently performed a. Get info about the original print of the story of dr. The story the whole world has heard about as the japanese sweep through the east indies during world war ii, dr. Wassels claim this film was 98 per cent documentary is just not credible. Wassell 1944 this film presents a dramatization of the wartime heroics of naval doctor corydon m. Wassell has an immense cast and a surprisingly slow pace which all serves to detract from gary coopers grim resolve to lead the men to safety. Although world war ii is now history at the time this film was made, the.
Wassell as a great film, others were critical of demilles presentation of wassells story. After the battle of macassar, wassell is ordered to. The year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, awardwinning going my way plus popular murder mysteries such as double indemnity, gaslight and laura contents 1 events. Wassell, a reallife country doctor from arkansas who worked as a medical missionary in china in the years prior to wwii. But this film is different, it was not about a great allied victory but an allied defeat and how one man, an american doctor. Lux radio theater 441023 454 the story of dr wassell. Wassell was inspired by the wartime activities of u.
Gary cooper carries the film with a great performance showing him for the star. Lux radio theater 454 the story of dr wassell lux drama. Wassell by darryl haase on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. During world war ii, wassell, a naval doctor tries to evacuate soldiers from the east indies as the japanese are approaching. Wassell as the japanese sweep through the east indies during world war ii, dr. Just as in sergeant york, gary cooper portrays another war hero. Browse our collection of hard to find, out of print and rare movies. Wassell which were referred to by president roosevelt in a radio broadcast made in april 1942. Wassell coordinates the remaining wounded servicemen and leads them to safety towards the last allied evacuation points. Wassell gary cooper, who is stationed in the east indies during a japanese.
Wassell happened to open in new york on dday, june 6, 1944 it also opened early in l. Lux radio theater 454 the story of dr wassell lux drama old. Wassell gary cooper laraine day signe hasso 1944 navy dr. The story of dr wassell although the movie is slowmoving at times and crying out for tighter editing, gary coopers dr. Corydon mcalmont wassell july 4, 1884 may 12, 1958 was a doctor best known for his work as a united states navy physician. It is the story of a mans love for his fellow men and of that rise from defeat to victory that has rewarded all. Demille on allmovie although based on a true incident, the story of. A section of this broadcast appears toward the end of the film. Demille, with gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso, at turner classic movies. Wassell 1944 english cinema, trailer, video clips, the story of dr. This film presents a dramatization of the wartime heroics of naval doctor corydon m. Wassell is said to have been a story told by president franklin delano roosevelt to director cecil b. Wassell with exclusive news, pictures, videos and more at. Demille also interviewed many of the sailors involved to recreate the events.
During world war ii, a naval doctor tries to evacuate soldiers from the east indies as the japanese are approaching. A nice touch was that july 4 was even wassell s own birthday. The bravados classic western, full movie, gregory peck, english free full western films duration. He was born in little rock, arkansas wassell graduated with an m. Wassell 1944 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Wassell, a factbased 1944 film directed by cecil b. Demille and also starring laraine day, dennis okeefe, signe hasso, and elliott reid. Demille, gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso september 30, 2019 as the japanese sweep through the east indies during world war ii, dr. In 19, he left his practice to serve as a medical missionary in wuchang, china. Wassell is appealing and the story line compelling enough to make watching this film time well spent. It features elliott reid, signe hasso and carl esmond. Wassell gary cooper heroically evacuates wounded soldiers when the japanese take java in 1942. Demille, with gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso. Wassell 1944 dvd region one playable in north america the us, canada, mexico, etc.
Several locations in mexico were used as a standin for java, as the island would be occupied by japanese forces until the end of the war in 1945. The film was based on a book of the same name by novelist and screenwriter james hilton. Demille, and starring gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso and dennis okeefe. Wassell himself said in a radio broadcast from little rock that it was ninetyeight percent true. Wassell of the united states navy who served in java in 1942 during wwii. Wassell gary cooper, who is stationed in the east indies during a japanese attack on the uss marbleh. Wassell is a moving account of the trials of a navy field doctor, corydon wassell, during the outbreak of wwii on java in the south pacific.
This is an entertaining movie if somewhat dated,still worth an occassional veiwing. The final commercial possibly for spry and the system cue have been deleted. Based upon the play of how it used to be an army pilot during ww2. Written by charles bennett, james hilton, alan le may, and corydon m. Wassell is determined to escape from java with some crewmen of the cruiser marblehead. During world war ii, a naval doctor tries to evacuate soldiers from the east indies as. Demille was listening to the radio on may 26, 1942, during one of thenpresident franklin d. Meet the cast and learn more about the stars of the story of dr. Wassell 1944 cast and crew this film presents a dramatization of the wartime heroics of naval doctor corydon m. Wassell who winds up in the us navy and is assigned to a hospital in java,with many injured sailors from the uss marblehead, that was sunk by japanese. Wassell is a 1944 american technicolor world war ii film set in the dutch east indies, directed by cecil b.
It was a highly fictionalized account, and wassell later joked about the film being the only real cause of his fame. As the japanese sweep through the east indies during world war ii, dr. Lux radio theatre the story of dr wassell internet archive. Demille, hearing roosevelts fireside chat, acquired the rights to the book to make a movie of the same name. Demille with gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso, dennis okeefe, year. Wassell saved a dozen or so wounded sailors who were left behind when able bodied men were evacuated to australia. With gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso, dennis okeefe. Gary cooper, laraine day, signe hasso, dennis okeefe and carol thurston. Wassell, who is stationed in the east indies during a japanese attack on the uss marblehead.