Korea Patrol

Korea Patrol
Original film poster
Directed byMax Nosseck
Written byKenneth G. Brown
Walter Shenson
Produced byWalter Shenson
Jack Schwarz
StarringRichard Emory
Benson Fong
CinematographyElmer Dyer
Edited byNorman A. Cerf
Music byAlexander Gerens
Production
company
Jack Schwarz Productions
Distributed byEagle-Lion Films
Release date
  • January 15, 1951 (1951-01-15)
Running time
59 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Korea Patrol (working title Korean Patrol) is a 1951 American war film directed by Max Nosseck and starring Richard Emory and Benson Fong. It is among the first Hollywood films set during the Korean War, along with The Steel Helmet and A Yank in Korea, both released in 1951.[1] The film's sets were designed by the art director Fred Preble.

Plot

When notified of the North Korean invasion of South Korea, an American officer assigned to the Republic of Korea Army leads a mixed American and South Korean six-man patrol to destroy a strategic bridge to delay the enemy's advance.

Cast

  • Richard Emory as Lt. Craig
  • Sung Li as Ching, So. Korean runner
  • Benson Fong as Kim, So. Korean scout
  • Al Eben as Sgt. Abrams
  • Wong Artarne as Murphy
  • Danny Davenport as Cpl. Dykes
  • Harold Fong as Lee
  • Richard Barron as Maj. Wald
  • John Close as Headquarters Captain
  • Teri Duna as Korean Village Young Woman

Reception

In a contemporary review for the San Francisco Chronicle, critic Luther Nichols called the film "a mildly interesting, if minor, picture" and wrote: "Eagle Lion is quick. It turned out a picture called 'Korea Patrol,' which arrived all out of breath ... as the first film in the race to bring movies up to date in a military way and cash in on current headlines. ... 'Korea Patrol' is really little more than a light probing action in advance of the heavy engagements of films yet to come. The picture was made in Hollywood, but has real footage of the Korean fighting spliced into its frequent action scenes. Yet it is exciting and at times suspenseful in its simple story ... Not much of a plot? It wasn't meant to be."[2]

Notes

  1. ^ p. 77 Edwards, Paul M. A Guide to Films on the Korean War Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997
  2. ^ Nichols, Luther (January 25, 1951). "'Korea Patrol' Fires First Shot in Movie Warfare". San Francisco Chronicle. p. 10.