Shipmates (1931) Review: Robert Montgomery on a Boat

You should probably watch this if you like old movies where the lead actor just smiles his way through every problem. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon when you want something light and easy to follow.

If you’re looking for a serious military drama with deep strategy, you are going to be very bored. This is mostly a romance that happens to have a lot of sailors in it.

Robert Montgomery plays a guy named John Paul Jones. Yes, they actually named him that, which feels like a joke the movie never quite finishes.

He is a seaman who falls for Kit, played by Dorothy Jordan. She is the daughter of an Admiral, so you already know where this is going.

The whole "rich girl, poor sailor" thing is pretty standard stuff. It’s the kind of plot you’ve seen a hundred times, but the actors make it feel okay.

There is this one scene where they are talking about class differences and the lighting is just a bit too bright. It makes the sets look like they are made of cardboard, which they probably were.

I really enjoyed the scenes with the other sailors. They have this fast way of talking that you don't really hear anymore. ⚓

Then there is Captain Beatty, played by Ernest Torrence. Man, this guy is angry.

He spends almost every scene shouting or looking like he’s about to pop a blood vessel. It’s a bit much, but it kept me awake during the slower parts.

Beatty really hates John for no big reason other than he’s the main character. It’s that classic movie trope where the boss is just a jerk because the script needs a villain.

I noticed a guy in the background of one of the ship scenes who looks completely lost. He just stares at the camera for a second before realizing he's supposed to be working.

It reminds me a little bit of the energy in Alias Jimmy Valentine. Montgomery just has this specific charm that makes you root for him even when he’s being kind of annoying.

The movie gets a bit slow when John tries to get into the Naval Academy. There are a lot of scenes of people standing around in uniforms talking about honor and duty.

I found myself checking my phone during the long speeches. They go on for about thirty seconds too long every single time.

Some random things I noticed:

• The uniforms are incredibly crisp, like they were ironed five seconds before the camera started rolling.
• There is a lot of saluting. Like, a lot of saluting.
• The music swells every time Kit enters a room, just in case you forgot she's the love interest.
• The boat sound effects are actually pretty good for 1931.

It isn't quite as grand as something like The Sign of the Cross, but it’s much more grounded. It feels like a small story that just happens to be set on a big ship.

The romance is sweet, I guess. It’s very 1930s—lots of long stares and talking about "feelings" without actually saying much.

I think the movie is at its best when it stops trying to be a drama and just lets the sailors be funny. The comedy bits with the crew are actually the highlight for me.

There is a scene where they are all eating together and it feels like a real moment. Not everything has to be about the Admiral's daughter.

The ending is exactly what you expect. No surprises here, but it feels right for the tone they set.

Anyway, it’s a decent watch if you’re a fan of the era. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything.

It's just a nice, simple movie about a guy on a boat who wants a girl. Sometimes that's enough. 🚢