You’re in the Navy Now (1951): Cast & Plot
You’re in the Navy Now is a 1951 war comedy directed by Henry Hathaway, starring Gary Cooper as Lt. John W. Harkness, John McGuire and Henry Slate. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Henry Hathaway
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is You’re in the Navy Now About?
The premise of You’re in the Navy Now without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Lt. John Harkness takes command of the submarine‑chaser U.S.S. Teakettle, a vessel fitted with an experimental steam engine. He expects the seasoned crew to help meet the ship’s objectives, but discovers that many officers are as green as he is or are accustomed only to diesel power, leading to a series of comedic mishaps.
You’re in the Navy Now Themes & Keywords
· 25 tags- submarine
- u.s. military
- man in uniform
- ship's engine
- warship
- naval uniform
- world war two
- u.s. navy
- based on article
- statement in title
- diesel engine
- steam engine
+13 more Show fewer
- wave
- subchaser
- shore patrol
- morale
- engineer
- depth charge
- chief executive officer
- boiler room
- admiral
- hathaway and cooper
- 90 day wonder
- secretary
- draftee
You’re in the Navy Now Cast & Characters
Gary Cooper leads the cast as Lt. John W. Harkness, with John McGuire as Naval Commander and Henry Slate as Chief Engineer Ryan. Directed by Henry Hathaway; 29 actors are credited in all.
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Director Henry Hathaway
-
Gary Cooper as Lt. John W. Harkness - John McGuire as Naval Commander
- Henry Slate as Chief Engineer Ryan
- Millard Mitchell as George Larrabee
Also Starring in You’re in the Navy Now
· 25 more- Eddie Albert Lt. Bill Barron
- Richard Erdman Ens. Chuck Dorrance
- Jack Webb Ens. Anthony 'Tony' Barbo
- John McIntire Cmdr. W. R. Reynolds
- Rory Mallinson Lieutenant Commander
- Ed Begley Post Commander
- Ray Collins Rear Adm. L. C. Tennant
- Fay Roope Carrier Admiral
- Jane Greer Ellie C. Harkness
- Charles Bronson Wascylewski
- Lee Marvin Radio Man
- Jack Warden Tommy Morse
- Franklyn Farnum Officer
- Charles Tannen Houlihan
- Joel Fluellen Officer's Club Waiter
- George Nader Crew Member
Show all 29 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harvey Lembeck Norelli
- Damian O'Flynn Doctor
- Bill McLean Crew Member
- Biff McGuire Sailor Messenger
- Harry von Zell Capt. 'Danny' Eliot
- Elsa Peterson Admiral's Wife
- Bernard Kates Tugboat Sailor
- Norman McKay Admiral's Aide
- Herman Cantor Naval Captain
You’re in the Navy Now Plot Summary
What happens in You’re in the Navy Now from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
At Norfolk Naval Base in the opening months of World War II, Lt. John W. Harkness Gary Cooper, a newly commissioned officer with a civilian engineering background and a Rutgers education, is ordered to report aboard PC-1168 to head a secret project. He learns that his selection came through an IBM card hole, and his assignment is to supervise sea trials for a ship equipped with a steam engine and an experimental evaporator-condenser, testing its feasibility in patrol craft. The mission hinges on unproven equipment and a crew that is largely civilian and newly inducted, with officers described as “90-day wonders.” The base expects a quick learning curve, but the reality is more chaotic than orderly, setting the stage for a test of nerve, ingenuity, and leadership.
Full summary
The whole story of You’re in the Navy Now, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know You’re in the Navy Now?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Lieutenant John W. Harkness, the newly commissioned officer with an engineering background?
Cars in You’re in the Navy Now
6 cars on screen, including the 1942 Lincoln Zephyr and the 1941 Cadillac Series 61.
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1942 Lincoln Zephyr Important role -
1941 Cadillac Series 61 Minor role -
1940 Packard Super Eight One-Sixty Minor role -
1942 Willys MB 'Jeep' Minor role
You’re in the Navy Now Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “U.S.S. Teakettle” and “Esto es la Marina”.
- Also known as
-
- U.S.S. Teakettle
- Esto es la Marina
- Agora Estamos na Marinha
- Il comandante Johnny
- La marine est dans le lac
- Теперь ты на флоте
Seen You’re in the Navy Now?
Movies Like You’re in the Navy Now
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Submarine Patrol, Submarine Command and We Joined the Navy.
You’re in the Navy Now FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of You’re in the Navy Now, each answered in a sentence.
How long is You’re in the Navy Now?
You’re in the Navy Now runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was You’re in the Navy Now released?
You’re in the Navy Now was released on February 23, 1951.
Who directed You’re in the Navy Now?
You’re in the Navy Now was directed by Henry Hathaway.
More films by Henry Hathaway Who is in the cast of You’re in the Navy Now?
You’re in the Navy Now stars Gary Cooper as Lt. John W. Harkness, John McGuire as Naval Commander and Henry Slate as Chief Engineer Ryan, among 29 credited actors.
Does You’re in the Navy Now have a post-credit scene?
No. You’re in the Navy Now has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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