‘The Fighting Seabees’: Building the Frontlines

John Wayne brings the story of wartime construction crews to the screen.

Lt. Commander Robert Yarrow (Dennis O’Keefe, L) and Wedge Donovan (John Wayne), in “The Fighting Seabees.” Republic Pictures

NR | 1h 40m | Drama, Romance, War | 1944

John Wayne played a German naval officer in “The Sea Chase” (1955), then switched sides in 1944’s “The Fighting Seabees.” He showed he could dance in the movie’s first act, cutting a serious rug at a party with a blonde bombshell on his arm. Who knew the Duke had such nimble feet?