Across the Pacific

Across the Pacific

Year: 1942

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: John Huston

DramaAdventureThrillerHigh speed and special opsBravery in War

Rick Leland, freshly court‑martialed and openly disloyal to his country, boards a Japanese vessel bound for the Orient in late 1941. As the ship sails, he grows close to fellow passenger Doctor Lorenz, raising doubts about his true purpose. His attraction to the striking traveler Alberta Marlow adds another obvious motive.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Across the Pacific (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Across the Pacific (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1941

Set in the weeks around late 1941, the film places its action just before the United States enters World War II. The plot references December 6, 1941, and ongoing Panama Canal patrols, reflecting the tense prewar climate. The travel schedule and shifting loyalties occur against a backdrop of imminent global conflict and espionage.

Location

Governor's Island (New York City), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Panama Canal, Hawaii, Yokohama, Bountiful Plantation

The story unfolds across a globe-spanning backdrop of ports and military hubs. It opens on Governor's Island in New York City before sending Rick Leland aboard a ship via Halifax and the Panama Canal to Yokohama, with Hawaii a key waypoint. Stops at the tropical Bountiful Plantation anchor the espionage plot in a lush, perilous setting. The varied locations—ports, hotels, and a plantation—highlight the high-stakes game of wartime intelligence.

🗺️ Travel 🕵️ Espionage 🌊 Ocean voyage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:47

Main Characters – Across the Pacific (1942)

Meet the key characters of Across the Pacific (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rick Leland (Humphrey Bogart)

A skilled, roguish officer who is court-martialed for theft and uses his charm to maneuver through wartime espionage. He is willing to fight for whoever pays him, operating at the edge of loyalty and personal gain. On the voyage, he navigates danger with a cool, cunning demeanor, shedding light on the murky ethics of wartime intelligence.

🕵️ Spy 💼 Charmer 💰 Mercenary

Alberta Marlow (Mary Astor)

A glamorous passenger who claims to be from Medicine Hat. Her relationship with Leland evolves into a fragile romance while she remains entangled in the espionage web. It is later revealed that she is connected to Morton as his daughter, giving her personal stakes in the plot's outcome.

💞 Love Interest 🕵️‍♀️ Mysterious 💼 Socialite

Dr. Lorenz (Sydney Greenstreet)

A sociology professor who admires Japan and lives in the Philippines, making him an unpopular figure there. He is a known enemy spy whose charm masks dangerous intent. Lorenz's actions propel the intrigue forward, as he manipulates others to serve his strategic aims.

🧠 Intellectual 🕵️ Spy

Joe Totsuiko (Victor Sen Yung)

A wily Japanese criminal who infiltrates the passengers in disguise and acts as a dangerous foil. His presence heightens tension aboard the ship as he aligns with Lorenz and tests Leland's resolve. Totsuiko embodies the thread of direct threat in the espionage plot.

🗡️ Villain

Dan Morton (Monte Blue)

A wealthy plantation owner whose weakness is exploited by enemy agents to establish a base for their activities. Morton’s fragility and affluence make him a critical catalyst in the tropical phase of the plot. His role deepens the personal stakes for Marlow and the protagonists.

💼 Wealth 🥃 Drunkard

Col. Hart (Paul Stanton)

An undercover Army Intelligence officer who coordinates the Atlantic-Pacific espionage network and warns Leland. His presence anchors the film's military espionage framework and guides the protagonist through dangerous discoveries.

🛡️ Authority 🧭 Intelligence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:47

Major Themes – Across the Pacific (1942)

Explore the central themes of Across the Pacific (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Espionage

The narrative centers on undercover maneuvers, double agents, and stolen information, with Rick Leland posing as a mercenary while feeding intelligence to Army Intelligence. Loyalties are tested as Lorenz, Totsuiko, and Marlow circulate among suspects. Deception, misdirection, and the calculation of risk are constant as the plot threads converge on a strategic target—the Panama Canal.

🌊 Journey

The plot hinges on movement—ships, trains, and clandestine meetings across continents—creating a constant sense of travel and danger. The oceanic voyage becomes a corridor for intrigue, where every stop could reveal a new ally or betrayal. The theme underscores how geography shapes choices under wartime pressure.

💞 Love & Loyalties

Romance with Alberta Marlow complicates the espionage game, blurring lines between affection and strategic interest. Marlow’s ties to Dan Morton inject a personal stake that enemies can exploit, raising the stakes for Rick and the decision to trust. Loyalty wavers as personal bonds intersect with national security and the risk of betrayal.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:47

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Across the Pacific Summary

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Across the Pacific Timeline

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