Here Come the Waves

Set during the height of World War II, the plot centers on WAVES recruitment and naval duties. The era’s constraints push characters to balance personal desires with duty to country. The nightclub and shipboard performances reflect the era’s emphasis on morale-boosting entertainment for servicemen and women.

The action unfolds largely on U.S. Navy bases and ships during World War II, including a morale-boosting show aboard the U.S.S. Traverse Bay and the intended posting to the U.S.S. Douglas. Scenes shift between barracks, ships, and a nightclub setting where performers recruit and entertain. The combination of military environments and showbiz venues highlights both the discipline of service and the glamour of wartime entertainment.

💖 Love and Duty

Romance unfolds against a backdrop of military service, forcing characters to choose between personal happiness and duty. Johnny's star power and Rosemary's steadiness create tension as Susie's impulsiveness challenges the lovers' path. The wartime setting amplifies the stakes of relationships, where commitments to service can redefine romantic goals. In the end, affection is integrated with the larger mission of supporting the Navy.

🎤 Showbiz & Morale

The film uses musical performances and show numbers as propaganda tools and morale boosters for WAVES recruitment. Johnny's celebrity status drives attention to the Navy, while the sisters' stage act anchors the audience in wartime patriotism. The production of the big aboard-show demonstrates how entertainment can rally support for the war effort. Music and spectacle serve both plot advancement and national morale.

🎭 Identity & Deception

A central deception drives the plot: Susie disguises herself to manipulate Johnny and Windy's perceptions, fostering mistaken-identity humor and romantic entanglement. The impersonation of Rosemary by Susie creates emotional confusion and tests trust among the leads. The reveal aligns romance with truth, resolving misunderstandings through confession and reconciliation. The theme explores how performance in both love and theater can blur lines between real and staged identities.

⚓ Patriotic Entertainment

Entertainment is framed as a practical tool for wartime recruitment and morale. The WAVES and Navy characters leverage music, comedy, and spectacle to boost enlistment and reassure servicemen and their families. The film presents performance as a civic duty, integral to the war effort. This patriotic lens blurs the line between entertainment and national service.