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Submarine Patrol (1938) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Submarine Patrol (1938) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1938 · 95 mins · English
Directed by
John Ford
Starring
Ward Bond, George Bancroft, John Carradine, Elisha Cook Jr., Lon Chaney Jr., George E. Stone

The Big Parade of the Navy! A naval officer is demoted for negligence and put in command of a run-down submarine chaser with a motley crew.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Characters explained (7)
  2. 2 Where & when it takes place
  3. 3 Themes & meaning (3)
  4. 4 Character & meaning questions
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Submarine Patrol
  7. 7 Every angle

7 main characters · contains spoilers

Submarine Patrol Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Submarine Patrol (1938), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Perry Townsend III (Richard Greene)

    A Brooklyn-born millionaire playboy who joins the Navy to impress Susan Leeds, bypassing training to become chief engineer of the S.C. 599. His arrogance gradually yields to responsibility as he earns the crew's respect and navigates a forbidden romance with Susan. He ultimately risks the mission to secure his future with the woman he loves.

    • 💼 Wealth
    • ⚓ Naval life
    • 💘 Romance
    • 🧭 Leadership
  • Susan Leeds (Nancy Kelly)

    Daughter of Captain Leeds, she works on her father's freighter Maria Ann and becomes Townsend's love interest. She defies her father's orders by continuing the relationship, then supports Townsend's decision to marry despite wartime obstacles. Her loyalty to Townsend sustains the romance through upheaval.

    • 🚢 Dynamics
    • ❤️ Romance
    • 👩‍💼 Maritime life
  • Captain Leeds (George Bancroft)

    Susan's father, a stern sea captain who disapproves of Townsend and tries to keep his daughter away from the risky romance. He confronts Townsend with fists and tries to protect his daughter from danger. His authority and sense of duty clash with Townsend's audacious ambitions until the mission tests them both.

    • ⚓ Authority
    • 🗡️ Conflict
    • 👨‍✈️ Naval leadership
  • Lt. (j.g.) John C. Drake (Preston Foster)

    A seasoned officer who has to redeem a past failure by commanding the 599 and enforcing discipline among the crew. He earns the crew's respect, coordinates the convoy escort, and leads the crisis against the U-boat. His leadership and courage underpin the mission's success.

    • ⚔️ Leadership
    • 🛡️ Discipline
    • 🚢 Naval life
  • Sails Quincannon (J. Farrell MacDonald)

    A veteran seaman who serves as a mentor figure for Drake's crew and helps maintain order aboard the 599. He embodies the wartime spirit of camaraderie and duty, supporting Townsend and the men when the pressure mounts. His experience anchors the ship's morale.

    • 🧭 Veteran
    • 🤝 Mentorship
    • 🗺️ Navy life
  • Rutherford Davis Pratt, 'The Professor' (Elisha Cook Jr.)

    A seaman nicknamed 'The Professor' whose caution and curiosity contribute to tensions aboard the ship, including a false alarm. He underscores the thin line between vigilance and panic at sea. His presence adds a layer of intellectual curiosity and undercuts bravado with moments of doubt.

    • 🧠 Vigilance
    • 🧭 Seafaring life
    • ⚠️ Tension
  • Anne (Joan Valerie)

    A character connected to the social scene and to the ship's human element, included among the cast. She appears in scenes that reflect civilian life intersecting with wartime service, underscoring how love and relationships persist beyond the military setting.

    • 🎭 Drama
    • ❤️ Relationships
    • 🏙️ Social life

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:23

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Setting

Where and When Does Submarine Patrol Take Place?

The setting of Submarine Patrol (1938): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

World War I (1914-1918)

The events unfold during the First World War, a period of global naval warfare and U-boat threats. The crew fights in the Adriatic theatre, escorting convoys and confronting submarines. The era's urgency and military protocols shape the characters' decisions and relationships.

Location

Brooklyn, Brindisi, Adriatic Sea, Malta

The story begins in Brooklyn as Perry Townsend III seeks a Navy career. The action moves to the Adriatic Sea and Brindisi in Italy during World War I, with naval patrols and perilous submarine hunts. The Maria Ann and wartime ports anchor the setting, highlighting key locations and sea lanes.

  • 🌆 Port towns
  • ⚓ Naval
  • 🕰️ World War I

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:23

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3 major themes

Submarine Patrol Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Submarine Patrol (1938) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Duty vs Privilege

    Perry Townsend III uses his wealth and connections to join the Navy without training, challenging the idea that status guarantees competence. The story tests whether privilege can substitute for discipline and skill in a high-stakes environment. The shipboard crew learns to value merit and leadership earned through action, not pedigree. The tension between Townsend's background and his responsibilities drives much of the film's conflict and growth.

  • Love and Duty

    Townsend's romance with Susan Leeds becomes complicated by parental authority and wartime duty. Their clandestine affection collides with Captain Leeds's orders and the demands of the mission. The Hotel Rex proposal scene underlines the pull between personal happiness and service to country. Susan's vow to wait for Townsend shows how love persists amid upheaval.

  • Camaraderie and Courage

    The crew's loyalty is tested as Townsend earns their respect and Drake imposes discipline. Four veteran seamen volunteer for the dangerous strike against the submarine, demonstrating communal courage. The movie emphasizes teamwork, sacrifice, and the idea that bravery is a group effort, not just individual heroism. This camaraderie ultimately enables the mission's success.

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:23

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Character & theme questions

Submarine Patrol Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Submarine Patrol (1938): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does Submarine Patrol take place?

The movie begins in Brooklyn and shifts to the Adriatic Sea, with key scenes set in Brindisi, Italy, and Malta during World War I. The primary naval action occurs aboard the submarine chaser S.C. 599 as it conducts patrols and convoy escorts in the Adriatic theatre.

  • brooklyn
  • adriatic sea
  • brindisi
  • malta
  • setting
  • world war 1
  • navy
Q2

What time period is Submarine Patrol set in?

The film is set during World War I (1914-1918), specifically in the Adriatic theatre where the crew fights U-boat threats, escorts convoys, and operates out of wartime ports in Italy and Malta.

  • world war 1
  • 1914-1918
  • time period
  • era
  • adriatic theatre
Q3

Who is Perry Townsend III in Submarine Patrol?

Perry Townsend III is a Brooklyn-born millionaire playboy who joins the Navy without proper training to impress Susan Leeds. He becomes chief engineer of the S.C. 599 and his journey centers on whether privilege can substitute for discipline and skill in high-stakes naval combat.

  • perry townsend iii
  • richard greene
  • millionaire
  • navy
  • engineer
  • privilege
Q4

Who is Lt. John C. Drake in the movie?

Lt. John C. Drake is a seasoned officer played by Preston Foster who must redeem a past failure by commanding the S.C. 599. He enforces discipline among the motley crew, coordinates convoy escorts, and leads the final crisis against the German U-boat, ultimately earning the crew's respect.

  • john c drake
  • preston foster
  • officer
  • commanding officer
  • redemption
Q5

What is Captain Leeds's role in Submarine Patrol?

Captain Leeds is Susan's father and a stern sea captain who disapproves of Townsend's romance with his daughter. He tries to protect Susan from the dangerous romance while his authority and sense of duty clash with Townsend's audacious ambitions throughout the film.

  • captain leeds
  • george bancroft
  • father
  • sea captain
  • authority
Q6

What theme does Duty vs Privilege explore in Submarine Patrol?

The Duty vs Privilege theme examines whether wealth and connections can substitute for real training and competence. Perry Townsend III uses his status to join the Navy without preparation, and the story tests whether discipline and leadership can be earned through action rather than pedigree.

  • duty
  • privilege
  • status
  • competence
  • merit
  • leadership
  • training
Q7

How does the Love and Duty theme work in Submarine Patrol?

The Love and Duty theme shows Townsend's romance with Susan Leeds complicated by her father's authority and wartime obligations. Their clandestine affection collides with Captain Leeds's orders and the demands of military service, with the Hotel Rex proposal scene highlighting the tension between personal happiness and national duty.

  • love
  • duty
  • romance
  • susan leeds
  • captain leeds
  • wartime romance
  • hotel rex
Q8

What does Camaraderie and Courage mean in Submarine Patrol?

The Camaraderie and Courage theme emphasizes teamwork and collective bravery over individual heroism. Four veteran seamen volunteer for the dangerous submarine strike, showing that courage is a group effort. The crew's loyalty, tested throughout the mission, ultimately enables the film's success.

  • camaraderie
  • courage
  • teamwork
  • veterans
  • submarine
  • crew
  • bravery
Q9

Who is Susan Leeds in Submarine Patrol?

Susan Leeds is the daughter of Captain Leeds, played by Nancy Kelly, who works on her father's freighter Maria Ann. She becomes Townsend's love interest, defying her father's orders to continue the relationship, and her loyalty sustains the romance through the upheaval of war.

  • susan leeds
  • nancy kelly
  • captain leeds daughter
  • love interest
  • maria ann
Q10

What is Sails Quincannon's role in the movie?

Sails Quincannon, played by J. Farrell MacDonald, is a veteran seaman who serves as a mentor figure aboard the S.C. 599. He embodies wartime camaraderie and duty, helping maintain order and supporting the crew when pressure mounts, with his experience anchoring the ship's morale.

  • sails quincannon
  • j farrell macdonald
  • veteran seaman
  • mentor
  • crew morale
Q11

Who is The Professor in Submarine Patrol?

The Professor, Rutherford Davis Pratt, played by Elisha Cook Jr., is a seaman whose caution and curiosity create tension aboard the ship, including a false alarm. He represents the intellectual curiosity and doubt that exists alongside naval bravado, highlighting the thin line between vigilance and panic at sea.

  • the professor
  • rutherford davis pratt
  • elisha cook jr
  • seaman
  • curiosity
  • vigilance
Q12

What kind of movie is Sub submarine Patrol?

Submarine Patrol is a 1938 Adventure Drama set during World War I, combining naval combat with character-driven romance. The tone is hopeful, focusing on redemption for Drake and personal growth for Townsend, with a steady pace that balances submarine warfare with romantic and interpersonal conflicts.

  • 1938
  • adventure
  • drama
  • world war 1
  • naval
  • submarine
  • hopeful tone

Movie threads

More Movies Like Submarine Patrol, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Submarine Patrol tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Naval Redemption Stories like Submarine Patrol

Disgraced officers find honor and purpose through leading a ragtag crew in challenging missions. Explore movies like Submarine Patrol where a disgraced officer redeems themself through naval command. These films feature hopeful journeys, steady pacing, and a focus on leadership, discipline, and camaraderie amidst wartime adventure. If you liked the triumphant arc of duty and honor in Submarine Patrol, you'll find similar stories here.

  • redemptive
  • patriotic
  • dramatic
  • rousing
  • hopeful
  • adventurous
  • Tone: hopeful, rousing, dramatic
  • Pacing: steady, mission-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear arc of fall and rise. A protagonist, marked by past failure or arrogance, is assigned to a difficult post or a seemingly inferior unit. Through shared hardship, tactical challenges, and the responsibility of command, they rebuild their character, unite their crew, and achieve a significant victory that restores their honor.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here by the powerful and uplifting narrative of military redemption. They share a hopeful tone, medium emotional weight, and a focus on character transformation set against the backdrop of disciplined, high-stakes environments like naval warfare.

Wartime Adventure Dramas like Submarine Patrol

Stories blending military action with romantic rivalries and personal growth during wartimes. Find more movies like Submarine Patrol that mix naval combat with romantic storylines. This collection features steady-paced, hopeful adventures set during World War I or similar conflicts, focusing on heroism, rivalry, and love. If you enjoyed the blend of action and romance in Submarine Patrol, discover similar heroic tales here.

  • adventurous
  • romantic
  • patriotic
  • dramatic
  • hopeful
  • wartime
  • Tone: hopeful, adventurous, romantic
  • Pacing: steady, balanced between action and drama
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot intertwines a protagonist's professional mission with a personal romantic subplot, often involving a rival. The stakes of war heighten the emotional drama. The story unfolds at a steady pace, moving between action sequences and character-driven moments, culminating in a successful mission and a resolved romance.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific vibe: a medium-intensity, hopeful blend of military action and romantic drama. They are grouped by their coherent mix of adventurous pacing, a triumphant ending, and a focus on how wartime service shapes both heroism and personal relationships.

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Movies Like Submarine Patrol

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Every angle

Submarine Patrol (1938) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Submarine Patrol in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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