Navy Blues (1929) Director: Clarence Brown Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Starring: William Haines (‘Red’ Taylor), Anita Page (Mary Brown), Sam Hardy (Captain McIntyre), Joseph Cawthorn (Bing), Edward Nugent (Ensign Gates) Release Date: September 21, 1929 Runtime: 87 minutes Format: Black & White | Sound | Comedy | Musical | Romance Country: United States Language: English Genres: Musical | Comedy | Romance | Navy --- Summary: Navy Blues is a lighthearted musical comedy that follows sailor ‘Red’ Taylor as he navigates life in the U.S. Navy while pursuing romance with the charming Mary Brown. Between naval drills, shore leave adventures, and comedic mishaps, Red contends with rival suitors and the challenges of military life. Musical numbers and witty dialogue interweave with slapstick humor, offering audiences a breezy, entertaining glimpse of love, camaraderie, and life aboard ship. --- Background: Produced by MGM during the early sound era, Navy Blues was designed to showcase both musical talent and the studio’s ability to transition into “talkies.” Directed by Clarence Brown, known for his ability to balance comedy with character-driven storytelling, the film capitalizes on the popularity of sailor-themed stories while integrating musical sequences that highlight the charm of William Haines and Anita Page. --- Trivia: Features William Haines, one of MGM’s most popular leading men of the 1920s. Includes several synchronized musical sequences, one of the early examples of integrating songs into narrative film. The film reflects pre-Code Hollywood’s light romantic innuendo and playful humor. Naval sequences were filmed with cooperation from the U.S. Navy to lend authenticity. The chemistry between Haines and Page contributed to the film’s box office success. --- Hashtags: #NavyBlues1929 #ClarenceBrown #WilliamHaines #AnitaPage #MGM #EarlySoundFilm #MusicalComedy #PreCodeHollywood #ClassicHollywood #GoldenAgeCinema #1920sFilm #FilmHistory