Plot
As Captain Binghamton departs for Brisbane, his torpedo boat, PT-116, springs a mysterious leak and sinks. He is forced to use PT-73, in the charge of Ensign Parker in the absence of McHale, the skipper. In Brisbane, Binghamton restricts the crew to the boat, but they are befriended by the crew of a nearby Russian merchant vessel. The Russians try to use PT-73 to smuggle Australian whiskey. In the midst of an aimless celebration in which both crews participate, two Russian NKVD officers come aboard. After mix-ups involving uniforms, Lieut. Wilbur Harkness, pilot son of an Army Air Force general officer, is found in a Russian outfit and is carted away as a spy. Parker, who has replaced his Soviet togs with the nearest uniform--Wilbur's--is forced to impersonate Wilbur and is given the rank of Army captain. Later, while in a control tower with WAC "Smitty" Smith, Parker accidentally turns on the air raid warning at the very moment a Japanese air squadron is about to make a sneak attack. For his heroism, Parker is again promoted--to Army major. When he and Binghamton are suspended in their jeep in midair by an airplane, they spot a Japanese fleet; and with an early warning, they aid an Allied victory. Parker becomes a national hero--despite the protests of Lieutenant Harkness, now released--and speeds his way to Washington to be decorated by President Roosevelt.
Written by
William J. Lederer, John Fenton Murray
Directed by
Edward Montagne
Crew
Production Countries
United States of America
Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Languages
English
Awards
N/A