Movie spotlight
Submarine Base
Ship engineer Jim Taggert is rescued from a torpedoed tramp steamer by Joe Morgan, an American gangster that found New York too hot for him, and has become a fisherman operating from an out-of-the-way island off of the coast of South America. Morgan makes his headquarters at the Halfway House run by the parents of Maria Styx as a bar and dance resort catering to the planters and traders of the island. Taggert finds himself practically a prisoner along with a group of American girls acting as entertainers at the resort. Taggert shadows Morgan in his activities in a remote cove and finds that Morgan is supplying German U-boat commanders with torpedoes, but does not know that Morgan has rigged the torpedoes with clock devices that explode when at sea and sinks the U-boats.
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Plot Summary
During World War II, a cunning German spy attempts to sabotage the American submarine fleet by planting magnetic mines. He infiltrates a submarine base, posing as a loyal officer, and sets his plan in motion. A brave Navy intelligence officer must race against time to uncover the spy's identity and thwart his destructive mission before it's too late.
Critical Reception
Released during the height of World War II, 'Submarine Base' was a typical B-movie offering designed to boost morale and capitalize on patriotic fervor. While not a critical darling, it was generally seen as an entertaining, if formulaic, wartime thriller that delivered on its action-suspense premise for its intended audience.
What Reviewers Say
An engaging B-movie thriller that effectively captures the wartime atmosphere.
Features a predictable plot but delivers sufficient action and suspense.
Praised for its patriotic themes and fast-paced narrative during its release.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'Submarine Base' is difficult to ascertain due to its age and B-movie status, but contemporary reviews likely appreciated its wartime themes and straightforward action.
Fun Fact
Dolores Costello, who plays the female lead, was a prominent star of the silent film era and made a notable return to acting in this World War II drama.
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