Here Comes the Navy (1934) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A comic naval rivalry evolves through punishment, courageous service, an airship rescue, and a final reversal of rank.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Rivalry Enters Uniform

A riveter and his best friend join the Navy to antagonize a chief petty officer. A visit to the chief's sister leads to an unauthorized absence and court-martial.

Key Events

• Rivalry Sparks Enlistment — A riveter and his best friend join the Navy to annoy a chief petty officer who is his nemesis. Location: Civilian work setting
• Navy Training Begins — The two friends enter naval service while the rivalry continues. Location: U.S. Navy facilities
• Visit to the Chief's Sister — The riveter visits the chief petty officer's sister. Location: The chief's sister's residence
• Unauthorized Absence — The visit causes the riveter to be absent without leave. Location: Naval duty station
• Court-Martial Proceedings — The riveter is court-martialed for being absent without leave. Location: Court-martial proceedings

Rebellion Aboard Ship

After his punishment, the riveter condemns the Navy and is ostracized by fellow sailors aboard the USS Arizona. During gunnery practice, he risks himself to suppress a turret fire and receives the Navy Cross.

Key Events

• Angry Navy Rebuke — Disgruntled by his treatment, the riveter angrily derides the Navy. Location: USS Arizona
• Sailors Ostracize Him — His fellow sailors ostracize him after his angry denunciation. Location: USS Arizona
• Gunnery Practice Starts — The crew conducts gunnery practice involving a 14-inch gun turret. Location: Naval gunnery range
• Turret Fire Erupts — A fire breaks out inside the 14-inch gun turret during practice. Location: 14-inch gun turret
• Fire Is Suppressed — The riveter puts out the fire in the gun turret. Location: 14-inch gun turret

A Perilous Airship Rescue

The medal does not end the riveter's wish to leave naval service, but a transfer places him in the Naval Air Service. When the Macon docks, the chief is caught and lifted by a guide rope, forcing a dangerous rescue.

Key Events

• Navy Cross Awarded — The riveter receives the Navy Cross for suppressing the turret fire. Location: Naval service setting
• Desire to Leave Continues — Despite the medal, the riveter remains determined to leave the Navy. Location: Naval service setting
• Transfer to Air Service — The riveter transfers to the U.S. Naval Air Service. Location: U.S. Naval Air Service
• Airship Assignment — He is assigned to work with a rigid airship. Location: Naval Air Service
• Macon Begins Docking — The Macon approaches while attempting to dock. Location: Airship docking area
• Chief Caught by Rope — The chief petty officer is accidentally caught on a guide rope. Location: Macon docking area
• Chief Hoisted Skyward — The guide rope lifts the chief petty officer into the air. Location: Macon docking area
• Descent Against Orders — Despite orders, the riveter climbs down the rope to save the endangered chief. Location: Macon docking area
• Two-Man Parachute Escape — The riveter parachutes to the ground with the chief petty officer. Location: Ground below the airship

Marriage and Reversal

The riveter saves the chief by parachuting both of them to the ground. At the wedding to the chief's sister, the chief discovers that the riveter has become a warrant boatswain and now outranks him.

Key Events

• Two-Man Parachute Escape — The riveter parachutes to the ground with the chief petty officer. Location: Ground below the airship
• Wedding Celebration — The riveter marries the chief petty officer's sister. Location: Wedding venue
• Unexpected Promotion Revealed — The chief learns that the riveter is now a warrant boatswain and outranks him. Location: Wedding venue
• Rivalry Reversed — The former rivalry ends with the riveter holding the higher rank. Location: Wedding venue

Story Breakdown

• Rivalry Sparks Enlistment — The central rivalry motivates two friends to enter naval service.
  • Friendship Joins Service — A riveter and his best friend enlist together.
  • Nemesis Provocation — Their stated purpose is to annoy a chief petty officer.
• Court Martial Fallout — A personal visit creates disciplinary consequences and deepens resentment.
  • Visit Causes Absence — A visit to the chief's sister leads to absence without leave.
  • Punishment Breeds Resentment — The riveter is court-martialed and becomes angry at the Navy.
• Shipboard Isolation — The protagonist's rejection of naval authority separates him from his fellow sailors.
  • Navy Is Denounced — He angrily derides the Navy after his treatment.
  • Crew Withdraws Support — His fellow sailors ostracize him aboard the USS Arizona.
• Heroism Earns Recognition — A dangerous gunnery accident gives the protagonist a chance to demonstrate courage.
  • Turret Fire Erupts — A fire breaks out during gunnery practice.
  • Navy Cross Awarded — Suppressing the fire earns him the Navy Cross.
• Air Service Transfer — The protagonist moves into naval aviation while still wanting to leave service.
  • Departure Wish Persists — The medal does not remove his determination to get out of the Navy.
  • Rigid Airship Assignment — He transfers to the Naval Air Service and receives an airship assignment.
• Macon Rescue Crisis — A docking accident turns the old rivalry into a life-or-death rescue.
  • Guide Rope Accident — The chief is caught on a guide rope and hoisted into the air.
  • Parachute Saves Both — The protagonist disobeys orders, climbs down, and parachutes both men to safety.
• Wedding Rank Reversal — The romantic and professional outcomes reverse the original power relationship.
  • Marriage Celebrates Union — The protagonist marries the chief's sister.
  • Promotion Changes Power — The protagonist is revealed to be a warrant boatswain who outranks the chief.

Directed by

Lloyd Bacon

Key Cast

• James Cagney — Chesty O'Conner
• Pat O'Brien — Biff Martin
• Gloria Stuart — Dorothy Martin
• Frank McHugh — Droopy Mullins
• Dorothy Tree — Gladys