Sailor Be Good!
Cast & Crew
James Cruze
Jack Oakie
Vivienne Osborne
George E. Stone
Gertrude Michael
Lincoln Stedman
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Sailor Kelsey "Jonesy" Jones, the star boxer on his ship, meets Red Dale in a dockside speakeasy and, though drunk, romances her. To win Red, a seasoned sailor's girl, Jonesy insults and knocks out her former boyfriend, "Shakespeare" Hartigan, another naval boxer who frequents the speakeasy. Later, at the urging of Murphy, Jonesy's Jewish manager and shipmate, Red chastizes Jonesy for his drinking and smoking and encourages him to start a serious training regimen. With Murphy and Red's help, Jonesy gets himself into shape and easily beats his next tough opponent. To celebrate his victory, Jonesy buys a huge bottle of gin and invites his friends for a party, but is criticized by Red for his careless actions. After Red convinces him to stay with his training, Jonesy goes to the speakeasy and orders a non-alcoholic drink. However, when the rich and sophisticated Kay Whitney, who witnessed his successful bout, mocks his abstinance and offers him a drink, Jonesy weakens and becomes drunk. Later, Red, who hasn't seen Jonesy for days, hears on a radio broadcast that Jonesy and Kay have married. In shock, Red goes to see Jonesy at the Whitney's mansion and, after confirming the radio story, says a final goodbye to the boxer. While Red opens her own diner, Jonesy slips into a bored and lonely existence. Snubbed by his father-in-law, whose wealth had assured him a release from the Navy, and his wife's snobby friends, Jonesy eagerly awaits a visit from Murphy. When Kay announces that Jonesy is no longer allowed to box, however, Murphy leaves in disgust, and Jonesy grows despondent. Jonesy then visits Red at her new restaurant but is turned away in front of Hartigan. Newly dejected, Jonesy returns home to discover Kay drinking with a gigolo and declares his intention to divorce. After re-enlisting in the Navy, the now single Jonesy presents himself once again to Red, but once again is rejected. Jonesy then prepares to fight Hartigan, the champion of the circuit. Although Jonesy is badly out of shape, Murphy motivates him during the bout by telling him that Hartigan injured Red after she had rejected his advances. Thus enraged, Jonesy beats the oddsmakers and defeats Hartigan. After the fight, Jonesy is overjoyed to uncover Murphy's hoax and to reunite with a forgiving Red.
Director
James Cruze
Cast
Jack Oakie
Vivienne Osborne
George E. Stone
Gertrude Michael
Lincoln Stedman
Gertrude Sutton
Max Hoffman
Louise Mackintosh
Huntley Gordon
Charles Coleman
Leo White
Arnold Gray
Crawford Kent
Carlos Alvarado
Ralph Robertson
Crew
Lodge Cunningham
Ethel Doherty
Gaston Glass
Edward C. Jewell
Viola Lawrence
Frank O'connor
Joseph I. Schnitzer
Charles E. Schoenbaum
Viola Brothers Shore
Ralph Spence
Samuel Zierler
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working titles of this film were Tar and Feathers and Tars and Feathers. In the onscreen credits, sound man Lodge Cunningham's surname was misspelled "Cuningham." A Hollywood Reporter news item noted that the production was delayed for several days while the script was being rewritten.
