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Romantic drama

To the Shores of Tripoli (1942): Cast & Plot

To the Shores of Tripoli (1942) movie poster

To the Shores of Tripoli is a 1942 romantic drama directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, starring John Payne as Chris Winters, Minor Watson and Randolph Scott. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes.

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To the Shores of Tripoli (1942) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Genres
Romance , Drama , War
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is To the Shores of Tripoli About?

The premise of To the Shores of Tripoli without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Blending romance, comedy and high‑octane thrills, the film follows a pampered, wealthy youngster who impulsively enlists in the U.S. Marines. His carefree swagger soon yields to tough training and battlefield hardships, turning him into a savvy, battle‑tested soldier while a flirtatious romance and comic mishaps provide levity amid Uncle Sam’s fighting backdrop.

To the Shores of Tripoli Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • drill instructor
  • female navy officer nurse
  • military training
  • hospital nurse
  • marine corps camp pendleton base
  • undisciplined recruit
  • firing range
  • gung ho
  • pearl harbor attack
  • day of infamy speech
  • basic training
  • fast and short haircut
+38 more
  • latrine duty
  • military school flunk out
  • marine recruiter
  • hard headed jerk
  • deception
  • reformation
  • cigarette smoking
  • redemption
  • world war one veteran
  • 1940s
  • devil dog
  • skin head
  • marine slang
  • song
  • shore patrolman
  • taps
  • bugle call
  • patriotism
  • december 7 1941
  • dress parade
  • frustration
  • o'hara and payne
  • u.s. marines
  • military discipline
  • spoiled brat
  • maturity
  • war game
  • self sacrifice
  • gambler
  • fistfight
  • san diego california
  • drill sergeant
  • year 1941
  • military life
  • place name in title
  • city name in title
  • u.s. marine corps
  • marine hymn
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Cast & crew

To the Shores of Tripoli Cast & Characters

John Payne leads the cast as Chris Winters, with Minor Watson as Christopher Winters and Randolph Scott as Dixie Smith. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in To the Shores of Tripoli

· 9 more
Plot

To the Shores of Tripoli Plot Summary

What happens in To the Shores of Tripoli from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Chris Winters, a wealthy Culver Military Academy dropout and playboy, enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he meets his drill instructor Dixie Smith and falls for Navy nurse Mary Carter. The young recruit soon learns that life in uniform isn’t just about bravado and fancy clothes; Smith has a long memory of service, having fought in World War I under the elder Winters, and he affectionately calls Winters “The Skipper” as a sign of reluctant respect. This clash between a carefree socialite and a disciplined Marine sets the tone for a story about growth, loyalty, and the costs of changing one’s world.

Full summary

The whole story of To the Shores of Tripoli, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know To the Shores of Tripoli?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which character is a wealthy dropout from Culver Military Academy who enlists in the Marine Corps?

Details

To the Shores of Tripoli Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Defensores da Bandeira” and “Les rivages de Tripoli”.

Also known as
  • Defensores da Bandeira
  • Les rivages de Tripoli
  • Stridskamrater
  • Verso le coste di Tripoli
  • Rumbo a las playas de Tripoli
  • К берегам Триполи

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FAQ

To the Shores of Tripoli FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of To the Shores of Tripoli, each answered in a sentence.

How long is To the Shores of Tripoli?

To the Shores of Tripoli runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was To the Shores of Tripoli released?

To the Shores of Tripoli was released on November 9, 1942.

Who directed To the Shores of Tripoli?

To the Shores of Tripoli was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone.

More films by H. Bruce Humberstone

Who is in the cast of To the Shores of Tripoli?

To the Shores of Tripoli stars John Payne as Chris Winters, Minor Watson as Christopher Winters and Randolph Scott as Dixie Smith, among 13 credited actors.

Does To the Shores of Tripoli have a post-credit scene?

No. To the Shores of Tripoli has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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