THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO has men training for a dangerous mission, led by Col. Doolittle (Spencer Tracy) who leads them into an adventure that begins with fully loaded bombers making their ascent into the wild blue yonder aboard Naval aircraft carriers. The cooperative team efforts between the Navy and the Air Force is demonstrated throughout and the result is a film that looks almost documentary in its approach to the subject matter.

But you have to get beyond some sentimental interludes for romance and that's where the story weakens somewhat, despite the sincerity of the moments depicted between VAN JOHNSON (as Lt. Dawson) and his loving wife (PHYLLIS THAXTER). Nevertheless, by the time the story reaches its powerful conclusion, you'll be rooting for the reunion of the husband (a wounded war hero who has lost one leg) and his wife who is expecting a baby.

Sterling performances help put the movie over. Never for a moment is the acting less than exceptional--and that includes VAN JOHNSON in the leading role, ably supported by SPENCER TRACY, ROBERT WALKER, ROBERT MITCHUM, DON DeFORE, SCOTT McKAY, STEPHEN McNALLY (billed as Horace McNally) and, in an unbilled small role, BILL WILLIAMS. All give natural portrayals that are as compelling as the events of the bombing over Tokyo, the crash landing in China and the many events that follow. Relationships between Americans and the Chinese make for the most touching elements in the crash scene and the hospitalization.

A fine tribute to the war effort, it's among the best of the service films produced by any of the major studios during WWII.

Yes, this is a very schmaltzy movie. But this was a more innocent era. Unlike today, movie portrayals of love in this era were uncomplicated. People went to the movies for simple stories so they could forget about the war. The movie really gets going once the carrier operations begin. The takeoff sequences hold up quite well and really convey the sense of danger in this never-tried operation. It is quite exciting to see actual B-25s in operation on the carrier and in the air. The model work on the bombing itself is first-rate. (I saw the film on TNT--perhaps the effects weren't as convincing on the big screen.) Although it is never explained why the Ruptured Duck had to land because it was raining, the landing sequence is harrowing. The operation scene is not so easy to watch, since as another reviewer mentioned, the person being operated most definitely felt some pain. The film has many little details, such as Robert Walker's sneer when he spots Japanese plans--it's an expression that economically describes American feelings toward the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. (If anything, this is underdone--as I understand it, people of that era were quite open about their race-based hatred of the Japanese.) Spencer Tracy, is, as always, Spencer Tracy--tough, compassionate, a rock of reliability.

Mervyn LeRoy directs this outstanding war drama. What makes it so damn good? Very good acting, realism and filmed in black & white. I can't imagine this story conveying the absolute truth of the famous "Doolittle Raid" without some filler; this is a great movie period and amazing it is based on truth. Van Johnson leads this very talented cast that also features Robert Walker, Phyllis Thaxter, Robert Mitchum and Don DeFore. Bombs over Tokyo! This one is easy to watch again and again. Try it if you haven't. A true classic.