U.S. Navy Wwii Shore Leave Scare Film "Smart Boy" (1945)

Synopsis

This U.S. Navy film “Smart Boy” encouraged World War II sailors to be just that — especially when it comes to enjoying shore leave. The film opens with a group of sailors in their off hours as they get ready to go ashore for liberty (or time off) in their enlisted dress blue uniforms. At mark 03:47, one of the sailors decides to swipe campaign ribbons from a sick crewmate’s jumper. The sailor’s misbehavior continues in town, disrespecting civilians and a junior officer. “The navy goes in for courtesy. Like saluting. It’s an order to an admiral the same as you,” his friend cautions him at mark 05:20. The sailor’s disrespect carries over to women, too. When set up on a blind date, he remarks of his shipmate’s girl at mark 06:45: “She’s not bad but I bet her girlfriend’s a dog — they always are.” Opting instead to spend time with “some broken down floozies,” the sailor adds additional campaign ribbons to his uniform and hits an array of watering holes, pounding down shots and beers in a drinking montage until he enters another drinking establishment at mark 09:00 and begins flashing his seven months of pay — a site that catches the eye of the bartender. With a wink and a nod, he sends a well-dressed B-girl toward her mark and encourages him to buy her some drinks. From the back you look just like him. He’s very well built, too,” she purrs. “I can say the same for you,” he replies as his eyes wander. The drinks and the flirting continues as the sailor relates a wild story of an…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

17 minutes

Language

English

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage