When naval Lieutenant Phil Bowen encounters his friend, Air Forces Captain Grover, he inquires as to what Grover's aerial reconnaissance team is doing to protect ships from attack by submarine. Grover introduces him to Captain Smith, an expert at photographic intelligence. The two men explain to Bowen just how aerial photographic reconnaissance works and how their work in the air and on the ground is helping win the war even at sea.
Acting
Alan Ladd's charisma selling military bureaucracy as cinema.
Production
Paramount gloss on government training film aesthetics.
Director
Alan Ladd
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was part of the 'Army-Navy Screen Magazine' series, Hollywood's most glamorous homework assignment for the troops.
John Beal and Alan Ladd were both 4-F or otherwise ineligible for combat service, making these instructional films their contribution to the war effort—and a fascinating case of star power repurposed for bureaucratic education.
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