Rough, Tough and Ready (1945) DVD-R

Starring Chester Morris, Victor McLaglen, Jean Rogers, Veda Ann Borg, Amelita Ward
Directed by Del Lord

Print: black/white
Runtime: 66 min.
Genre: comedy
Print Quality: B

Rough, Tough, and Ready looks a great deal like all those Victor McLaglen - Edmund Lowe
"friendly enemy" actionfests of the 1920s and 1930s. Indeed, McLaglen stars in the film as
Owen McCarey, though the "Edmund Lowe" part, Brad Crowder, goes to Chester Morris.
The story is the old bromide about two brawling buddies, duking it out over the same girl, in
this case pert Jo Matheson (Jean Rogers). Owen and Brad own a salvage company, but
split up over Jo. Both separately sign up for the army, and both are reunited in the Pacific.
One of the protagonists saves the other's life in combat, signalling a happy reunion-at least,
until the next dame comes along. Director Del Lord handles Rough, Tough and Ready in the
slaphappy manner of one of his Three Stooges two-reelers: one is surprised that the stars
don't poke each other in the eyes and shout "Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo."