

Movie spotlight
Annapolis Farewell
Commodore Fitzhugh, an old retired naval officer, lives at the Annapolis Naval Academy and, unhappy with the "modern" navy, likes to talk about his days in the "old" navy, especially about his part in the Battle of Manila Bay under Adm. Dewey during the Spanish-American War, when he commanded the USS Congress. That ship, now decommissioned and docked in Annapolis harbor, is--unknown to Fitzhugh--about to be towed out to sea to be used for target practice. When Fitzhugh finds this out, he sets out to either save his beloved vessel or "go down with his ship".
Insights
Plot Summary
During the Great Depression, three young men face tough choices as they near graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. John, a gifted student, grapples with the decision to leave the academy for a lucrative job, while his friends, Paul and "Skippy," navigate their own futures. Their choices are further complicated by romantic entanglements and the harsh realities of the economic downturn.
Critical Reception
Annapolis Farewell was a modest drama of its time, generally seen as a standard studio production with an earnest, if somewhat predictable, storyline. While it didn't garner significant critical acclaim, it was considered a decent, watchable film for its era, particularly for its depiction of academy life and its themes of duty and youthful ambition.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its depiction of the U.S. Naval Academy environment and its youthful cast.
Noted for its straightforward, albeit somewhat conventional, dramatic narrative.
Considered a competent studio film for its period, offering themes of loyalty and future choices.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this 1935 film is not readily available through standard public channels.
Fun Fact
The film was one of several productions during the 1930s that explored themes of military academy life, tapping into public interest in patriotism and disciplined youth during a time of national and international uncertainty.
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