War correspondent Richard Tregaskis’s popular book was the basis for Lewis Seiler’s Guadalcanal Diarytouching, a restrained, decidedly unsentimental chronicle of Marines fighting the South Sea jungles during an American offensive.
Like many other Hollywood WWII pictures, “Guadalcanal Diary” takes liberty with the historical facts.
Even so, the visual style is semi-documentary, enhanced by the casting of ordinary-looking actors, rather than movie stars.
“Guadalcanal Diary” follows its Marines protagonists from their pre-landing shipboard briefings through months of hardship–until they are relieved by fresh Army troops.
Among the feature’s strong characters are William Bendix as an ex-Brooklyn taxi cab driver; Preston Foster as a courageous chaplain; Lloyd Nolan as a tough sergeant; and Richard Jaeckel in his screen debut as a brave youngster.
Cast:
Preston Foster
Lloyd Nolan
William Bendix
Richard Conte
Anthony Quinn
Richard Jaeckel
Roy Roberts
Minor Watson
Ralph Byrd
Lionel Stander
Reed Hadley
John Archer
Eddie Acuff
Credits
Released: November 17, 1943
Fox
Produced by Bryan Foy.
Directed by Lewis Seiler.
Script by Lamar Trotti and Jerry Cady, based on the book by Richard Tregaskis.
