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A submarine, a scandal, and Jimmy Durante as a cook named 'Ptomaine' — what could go wrong?
TMDB
59
IMDb
66
Rotten Tomatoes
50
Audience Score
50
Google
87

Hell Below (1933)

pre-code chaossubmarine claustrophobiamelodrama with torpedoes

Overview

DramaRomanceWar

On leave in Italy, Lt. Tommy Knowlton falls in love with Jean Standish, who's not only married, but is the daughter of his submarine's commander. Friction between the two officers becomes intolerable once at sea and after Commander Toler is forced to abandon Tommy's best friend topside while the sub dives to escape enemy planes, Tommy is no longer able to contain his anger.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
submarineworld war inavypre-code

Standout Aspects

Practical Effects

Massive interior submarine sets built at MGM — still impressive.

Acting

Walter Huston plays gruff commander like he's personally offended by romance.

Best for:Solo: When you want 1930s naval drama without anyone judging your Pre-Code fixation.·Background: Fold laundry to torpedo-loading montages.
Heads up:Emotional: Abandonment scene during air attack is genuinely gutting.
Jack Conway

Director

Jack Conway

ReleasedJun 8, 1933
Runtime1h 41m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Top Cast

Robert Montgomery

Robert Montgomery

Lieut. Thomas Knowlton USN

Walter Huston

Walter Huston

Lieut. Comdr. T.J. Toler USN

Madge Evans

Madge Evans

Joan

Jimmy Durante

Jimmy Durante

Ptomaine' - Ships Cook

Eugene Pallette

Eugene Pallette

Mac Dougal - Chief Torpedo Man

Robert Young

Robert Young

Lieut. (JG) 'Brick' Walters

Edwin Styles

Edwin Styles

Herbert Standish - Flight Comdr.

John Lee Mahin

John Lee Mahin

Lieut. (JG) 'Speed' Nelson

David Newell

David Newell

Lieut. (JG) Radford

Sterling Holloway

Sterling Holloway

Seaman Jenks

Ask about Hell Below

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

The massive submarine set cost $150,000 — equivalent to $3.5 million today — and could flood on command.

Cultural

Released months before the Hays Code crackdown, this got away with on-screen adultery and blunt sexuality that vanished for decades.

Gallery

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