smittynlinda

I was five years old when the Marines landed on Iwo, my eldest brother however was at Pharmacist Mate 3d (now Hospital Corpsman), with 3rd Marines at Iwo. He seldom ever spoke of it. Was called back in Korea, got a Silver Star with King Co., 3rd Bn., 7th Mar. in the vicinity of Sintanni, Nov. 1951. I enlisted in the Marine Corps, Plt. 344, San Diego, July 1959. Remember seeing the Sands of Iwo Jima on my first liberty from Lima Co., 2nd ITR, CAMPEN, as I'm sure many hundreds of Marines did, especially us new guys, in Oceanside, Ca. I digress: Seems like most of the time in the actions scenes the actors were either wearing field marching packs w/short blanket roll, or light marching pack, no blanket roll. While in the actual scenes, mostly the ones at Tarawa almost all the Marines were with out 782 gear (web gear)? Also Sgt. Stryker told them to hit the "sack". as I recall, and it's been many years, we used the term "hit the rack"? Moot points I'm sure, I'll probably watch it again, if fact I'm sure I will, and maybe have some more info as I recall it. Semper Fi

I have watched this movie several times, as well as the one with Lon Chaney. It seems I always come away with a different insight, perspective or feeling, whatever. I certainly haven't read through all the many reviews to see if this thought came to anyone else? Crooks, the crippled black stable hand. Everyone I've spoken with regarding the movie has,for the most part, had strong feelings of sympathy, even sorrow, toward Lenny regarding his mental faculties. Lennie, I think, although not what most folks would consider normal, actually had a pretty pleasant, happy life. Someone to take care of him, probably not a care in the world,he didn't really know any different. However,Crooks on the other hand, a crippled black man, with all, or at least most, of his faculties. Appeared to be average or above intelligence, lived in an isolated world. No one engaged him in conversation or dialog and was, as it appeared to me, actually shunned and left in a lonely world with just the one possibility of a friend to talk to, Lennie Small. Yet, even that was yanked from him. Just my own thoughts. The ending, flash back's of Lennie and George. Heartwarming, but I wonder if I might have ended it different? Having George and Candy in the little shack they purchased tending rabbits? Probably not a good idea?

This is a good action movie, as a former Marine I've watched it a couple of times. Lee Emery the SDI, had the filthiest, gutter, sewer pipe mouth I'd ever heard. I went through Marine Corps boot camp, 1959, Plt. 344, All Colorado platoon. I, and it's been a few years ago, do not ever recall any of our DI's using the F word. They did use a few "cuss words" but not just filth for the sake of filth. The routine regarding, "this is my rifle, this is my gun, etc." We did have that, our DI's were way to disciplined and respectful to have us running around in our Quonset Hut holding our privates in one hand. Some may remember 3rdBn. at San Diego, were berthed in quonset huts just across from the confidence course, 1st and 2nd in hotels next to the grinder. There has always been a bit of a "tiff" among the Hollywood Marines and those at PI. The only difference I seen or found out later when I went to Camp Lejeune after boot camp, was the humidity and swamps in that part of the country. Being a native of Colorado, I'd never experience such high humidity, and it takes some getting used to. A DI's a DI, East or West coast.

I was channel checking and, having served in the U.S. Navy for 20+ years, wanted to see what it was about. Short and to the point: No FILTHY language, which some person or persons, wish I knew who, somewhere decided that having extreme profanity is ADULT language. It was so refreshing, the language, no nudity,no blood spilling, no sex scenes. A movie you would gladly watch with your kids or grandkids. The sequence regarding the fall from 5000 feet is an absolute treasure. The sailors age would have been, probably, in the 21 to 23 age range. Given the fact that he'd obviously been out of Turkey Track for quite some time, probably seen and heard a lot of things he'd never seen or heard of in Turkey Track, somehow managed to maintain a high degree of innocence, discipline and respect.

I saw this film in 1959 in a theater in Oceanside, Ca. I was in ITR, Los Polgas, Camp Pendleton. It was great then, but now, this 70 y/o watches it with a sad heart and a yearning for being back in. I recognized every building at Camp Pendleton, and much of the terrain. I'd walked, crawled and run over, around and through most of it. The San Diego ferry, now gone, was so neat. Believe it or not I used to catch to Grey Hound from Oceanburg to Dago, I had a sister that live at Imperial Beach. I'd take the ferry to Coronado. It was such a peaceful, serene short voyage, chance to gather one's thoughts. I do think the combat was well enough done, done so sure about all this blood and guts they show now. Even more so, the absence of the absolutely filthy language they feel they have to use now,aka "sewer pipe for a mouth", my analogy. We used a little profanity, but never filth like they do now. Didn't used to have to put that "some scenes my be objectable" stuff, the whole family could watch. Great movie, Semper Fi, especially to my brothers, the former Marine's. Keep your K-bar whet, and your haversack dry>