Review of To the Shores of Tripoli

This lighthearted musical comedy is a bit short on the music, a bit short on the comedy, but very big on stereotypes. Payne is a stereotype college who joins the marines to be like his dad, a WW1 hero. He has more connections in the Marines than a busy phone operator connecting calls. Maureen O'Hara is also in this farce, and Randolph Scott tries to keep a straight face playing the role as a drill sergeant. Believe me, he would not have made the cut for Full Metal Jacket. The film is fine for what it is; a jingoistic rah-rah piece to rally the public behind our troops early in WW 2. But as either a serious film or light romantic comedy, it falls a bit short. Semper Fi.