Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
Release Date: September 7,1958
Directed by: Robert Wise
Studio: United Artists
Costarring:
Burt Lancaster
Don Rickles
Jack Warden
Available on DVD via Amazon
Gable is Commander Richardson, a steel-willed Navy captain whose submarine is sunk by the Japanese early in World War II. After a year strapped behind a desk, he jumps at the opportunity to command another submarine–much to the chagrin of Lieutenant Bledsoe (Lancaster), who was set to take over the sub. The crew all sides with Bledsoe and resists Richardson’s authority. There is much uproar when the crew of the sub discovers that Richardson has gone off of their planned path to seek revenge on the Japanese sub that blew his up a year before.
Quote-able Gable
“Set up on leading freighter.” first line
“You better put some gin in that lemonade.”
“Mr. Bledsoe, let me be honest with you. I don’t care about their resentment or yours. I wanted a boat, the board gave it to me. That’s all there is.”
“If you had any questions about the drills, I think you’ll have them answered now.”
“That’s strange, Jim. I never even thought of failing.”
“Yes! To a dead crew, a dead sub!”
“Could you tell me something: Am I a damn fool too? Mr. Bledsoe seems to think I am and I have a great respect for his opinion.”
“You make one move to take over this boat and I swear I will see that you’re hung!”
“Clear the deck.” last line
Behind the Scenes
Produced by Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, which meant that Clark’s co-star, Burt Lancaster, was also his boss. Many expected friction from this arrangement, but the two got along amicably.
Clark objected to a scene in which his character makes a rash decision that ends in disaster and because of this, Lancaster’s character takes over the sub. He thought it was not fitting to the character and didn’t like to play the sap. Despite producers’ protests that he had already approved the script with that scene in it, Clark wouldn’t budge. Finally, the script was changed so that instead Clark’s character was injured and unable to command the sub, leaving Lancaster in charge.
The first film since Parnell in 1937 in which Clark’s character dies.
The mannequin used to represent Clark’s body at the end of the film would not sink as it was supposed to and kept floating back to the top. It took several takes and many different kinds of weights before it would finally sink.
Clark was paid a $500,000 advance to star in the film, which he used to purchase a summer home for him and Kay at Bermuda Dunes Golf Club in Palm Springs.
4 Comments
Sharon Craig
I’m watching the film now on TCM. I’ve seen it several times and was curious about the working relationship between Gable and Lancaster. When you mentioned the purchase of the home with the advance from the film, it prompted my memory. My father met Mr. Gable in Palm Springs in 1957 or 1958 and Dad later went for a visit to his home with Ray Ryan of the El Mirador Hotel. Dad was out there for the Palm Springs Desert Circus as Texas was being honored. Gable liked my Dad’s Stetson so much that Daddy had him one custom made in Houston and sent it it out to him.I have a picture of Gable atanding with wife Kay, my Dad, and Ray Ryan on their front porch or patio wearing Dad’s hat.
Sharon Craig
One more thought about the great Gable. My Dad said that they arrived as the Gables were sitting down to dinner, but that in all graciousness, Mr. Gable postponed his dinner to spend some time with someone he’d only just met. That speaks volumes to me now as it did to Dad. A great man and certainly worthy of our respect and admiration. I’m always a fan.
Robert Olsen
Watching it now for the umpteenth time, and this is that rare film that never gets old no matter how often I see it. Must be my love for sub films,or anything Navy. The Gable/Lancaster pairing is SUBlime; ( pun intended).
Doug
I use watch his movie with my dad in the 60’s and 70’s on the Bell and Howell 25 inch tv. Now as a adult I completely understand why my father loved this movie. So cool to be able to have it on DVD.