

MovieDramaWar
They Were Expendable
A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!
6.5(141)19452h 15m
After a demonstration of new PT boats, Navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.
- Director
- John Ford
- Writers
- Frank Wead,Christina Stead
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Cast

Robert Montgomery
Lt. John Brickley

John Wayne
Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan

Donna Reed
Lt. Sandy Davyss

Jack Holt
General Martin

Ward Bond
"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

Marshall Thompson
Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

Paul Langton
Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

Leon Ames
Major James Morton

Arthur Walsh
Seaman Jones

Donald Curtis
Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long

Cameron Mitchell
Ens. George Cross

Louis Jean Heydt
'Ohio'

Jeff York
Ens. Tony Aiken

Murray Alper
'Slug' Mahan T.M. 1c

Harry Tenbrook
'Squarehead' Larsen SC 2c

Jack Pennick
'Doc'

Alex Havier
'Benny' Lecoco ST 3c

Charles Trowbridge
Admiral Blackwell

Robert Barrat
The General

Bruce Kellogg
Elder Tompkins M.M. 2c

Tim Murdock
Ens. Brant

Russell Simpson
'Dad' Knowland

Vernon Steele
Army Doctor

Robert Emmett O'Connor
Silver Dollar Bartender (uncredited)
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Crew
Directing
- John FordDirector
- Edward O'FearnaAssistant Director
Writing
- Frank WeadScreenplay
- William L. WhiteBook
- Christina SteadScreenplay
Production
- John FordProducer
Camera
- Joseph H. AugustDirector of Photography
Editing
- Frank E. HullEditor
- Douglass Biggs Editor
Sound
- Herbert StothartOriginal Music Composer
Art
- Cedric GibbonsArt Direction
- Malcolm BrownArt Direction
- Edwin B. WillisSet Decoration
Costume & Make-Up
- Yvonne WoodCostume Design
- Jack DawnMakeup & Hair
Crew
- A. Arnold GillespieSpecial Effects