"Tell it to the Marines" was a departure for star Lon Chaney from the kinds of roles he usually played and for which he is best remembered. No grotesque make ups or evil sinister characters here but a gruff no nonsense Marine drill sergeant in their stead.
Chaney is the stern Marine Sergeant O'Hara (no first name here) with a heart of gold who takes smart aleck recruit George "Skeet" Burns under his wing and attempts to make a marine out of him. While visiting sick bay one day, Skeet meets navy nurse Norma Dale (Eleanor Boardman) and begins to pursue her. Unbeknownst to Skeet, O'Hara also worships Norma from afar.
While on duty in a remote Pacific island, Skeet is tempted by a local girl only to have word of it get back to Norma. Through a convenient set of circumstances O'Hara, Skeet and Norma wind up on duty in Shanghai during a conflict with Chinese bandits headed by a pre-Charlie Chan Warner Oland. Well, in true Hollywood fashion, everything gets sorted out in the final reel and everyone lives happily ever after.
I had a problem with the time line depicted in this picture. After he signs up, O'Hara tells Skeet that he will be on his case for the next three years. At the end of the movie, we learn that Skeet has just finished a four year hitch. Also, the story jumps from the boot camp sequence to "sea duty" right in the middle of basic training. Then, they move on to combat situations on a remote Pacific Island and then to Shanghai (with no apparent combat training). We are not made aware that the story has taken place over a four year period until the end of the picture.
The film is essentially divided into two parts, the light comedic basic training part and the action sequences at the Pacific island and Shanghai. Chaney as always, gives a moving if not sympathetic performance as the Marine sergeant. It must have been a nice change for him for once to play a straight role with none of his signature make ups.
Chaney is the stern Marine Sergeant O'Hara (no first name here) with a heart of gold who takes smart aleck recruit George "Skeet" Burns under his wing and attempts to make a marine out of him. While visiting sick bay one day, Skeet meets navy nurse Norma Dale (Eleanor Boardman) and begins to pursue her. Unbeknownst to Skeet, O'Hara also worships Norma from afar.
While on duty in a remote Pacific island, Skeet is tempted by a local girl only to have word of it get back to Norma. Through a convenient set of circumstances O'Hara, Skeet and Norma wind up on duty in Shanghai during a conflict with Chinese bandits headed by a pre-Charlie Chan Warner Oland. Well, in true Hollywood fashion, everything gets sorted out in the final reel and everyone lives happily ever after.
I had a problem with the time line depicted in this picture. After he signs up, O'Hara tells Skeet that he will be on his case for the next three years. At the end of the movie, we learn that Skeet has just finished a four year hitch. Also, the story jumps from the boot camp sequence to "sea duty" right in the middle of basic training. Then, they move on to combat situations on a remote Pacific Island and then to Shanghai (with no apparent combat training). We are not made aware that the story has taken place over a four year period until the end of the picture.
The film is essentially divided into two parts, the light comedic basic training part and the action sequences at the Pacific island and Shanghai. Chaney as always, gives a moving if not sympathetic performance as the Marine sergeant. It must have been a nice change for him for once to play a straight role with none of his signature make ups.