Trivia & Other Fun Stuff on THEY WERE EXPENDABLE

John Ford cast They Were Expendable himself, and as usual, had a part in mind for one of his regular players, Ward Bond. Shortly before shooting, however, Bond was struck by a car and almost incapacitated. Ford had the script altered so that Bond could maneuver through parts of the picture on crutches.

Robert Montgomery, who got his first chance to direct when Ford injured his leg on the set of They Were Expendable, went on to helm such features as Lady in the Lake (1947) and Ride the Pink Horse (1947). Montgomery wasn't the only future director observing Ford at work. John Wayne already had ideas for a film about the Alamo and was learning film technique from Ford, and future director Blake Edwards plays a crewman aboard one of the boats.

MGM had planned to release They Were Expendable in September 1945, but the Japanese surrendered aboard the battleship Missouri on September 2nd. Avoiding the awkward timing, MGM delayed the release until December 7th, the fourth anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

They Were Expendable became entangled in two lawsuits. Commander Robert Kelly (the basis for John Wayne's character) sued MGM for libel and was awarded $3,000. Lieutenant Beulah Greenwalt (played by Donna Reed) said the portrayal of her in a fictitious romance was damaging and an invasion of privacy; she was awarded $290,000.

John Ford was concerned about appearing to profit from a commercial film during wartime, so he had his salary go to a recreation center for the 180 veterans of his Field Photographic Unit. At a cost of $225,000 he bought a twenty acre estate in the San Fernando Valley. The resulting Field Photo Farm was active from 1946 to 1966.

by John Miller

Famous Quotes from THEY WERE EXPENDABLE

Lt. Ryan (John Wayne) to Lt. Brickley (Robert Montgomery): It's wonderful the way people believe in those high powered canoes of yours.

Lt. Brickley: So you're really quitting the squadron, eh, Rusty?
Lt. Ryan: You can't build a Navy reputation riding a plywood dream.
Lt. Brickley: What're you aiming at - building a reputation, or playing for the team?

Admiral (Charles Trowbridge) to Lt. Brickley: Listen, son. You and I are professionals. If the manager says `Sacrifice,' we lay down the bunt and let somebody else hit the home run. Our job is to lay down that sacrifice. That's what we were trained for and that's what we'll do.

Sandy (Donna Reed): You'd better lie down and take it easy; you've got a temperature of 103.
Lt. Ryan: So I've heard.
Sandy: You Navy boys always run about two degrees above normal - must be that time you spend at sea.
Lt. Ryan (angrily): What is your rank?
Sandy: 2nd Lieutenant.
Lt. Ryan: Well I'm a J.G., so watch your language.
Sandy: Oh, I thought you were a motorcycle cop. Despite your gold braid, you don't tell us - we tell you. So lie down.

Lt. Brickley (to men in his Squadron assigned to the Army): You're a swell bunch. I'm glad to have been able to serve with you. I'd like to be able to tell you that we were going out to bring back help, but that wouldn't be the truth. We're going down the line to do a job, and you're going to Bataan with the Army. That isn't what you've been trained for, but they need your help. You older men with longer service records, take care of the kids. Maybe...That's all. God bless you.

Old Trader (guarding his post from the oncoming Japanese): I've worked forty years for this, son. If I leave it they'll have to carry me out.

Admiral: I have orders to fly you and Ryan to Australia.
Lt. Ryan: Why us? We're just a couple of snotty Lieutenants.
Admiral: You men have proved the PT Boats have some value in this war. Washington wants you back in the States to build them up.
Lt. Brickley: What about the men?
Admiral: There isn't room for them.

Lt. Brickley (to ensign as they take last plane out): Look, son, we're going home to do a job. And that job is to get ready to come back. Check?

Compiled by John Miller