Lon Chaney proves capable of successfully forsaking the horror roles for which he was acclaimed to play a gruff Marine Captain in this MGM comedy-drama. His nemesis is William Haines, a raw recruit who marks himself out for special treatment when he starts sniffing around the nurse (Eleanor Boardman) whom Chaney is sweet on. Chaney is surprisingly effective - although he's way too old to be hitting on Miss B. - and works well with Haines. The story follows a predictable arc, but provided the template from which countless other service movies were sketched.
Review of Tell It to the Marines
