Ambush Bay (1966)

 

                    “Ambush Bay” was a B-movie directed by Ron Winston (usually a TV director).  It was filmed in the Philippines.  Mickey Rooney became ill during the filming and while he was laid up, his wife was killed by her lover in a murder-suicide.

                    The movie is set in the Philippines in October, 1944.  Nine men from a recon team are being sent in to make contact with a spy.  These dudes are serious.  They put camouflage on their faces on the plane.  They wear camo uniforms and have silencers.  One of the nine is a radio operator who is coopted for the mission.  PFC Grenier (James Mitchum) narrates, so we know he is going to survive.  The rest of the nine, don’t bet on them.  The whittling begins almost immediately as their commanding officer (played by Lt. Col. Clement Stadler -  Navy Cross recipient and technical adviser) is killed.  Sgt. Corey (Hugh O’Brian) takes over and leads his crew through the jungle.  Corpses #2 and #3 come from a fire fight with Japanese that have a tank.  #4 dies from a punji trap.  Another fire fight claims #5 and #6.  And #7 is Mickey Rooney.  He dies from a grenade, for the third war movie in a row.  In between all this bloodshed Corey makes contact with the spy (Tisa Chang) in a tea house.  Since there is still some film available, a new mission involving blowing up a mine field is added for a big finish and because Corey is still alive.

                    “Ambush Bay” breaks no new ground in the commando mission subgenre, but it entertained drive-in movie audiences.  However, for a low-rent crowd-pleaser, it is surprisingly downbeat.  Besides the very low survival rate of the crew, the crew leader is not likeable.  Corey is supposed to be a role model, but he is actually a hard-ass bastard.  Grenier is a typical cinematic military whiner.  He and Corey do not get along so we get some dysfunction.  Humor is provided by Mickey Rooney, who is basically playing the same character that he played in “The Secret Invasion”.  His humor does not change the fact that the movie is pretty grim.  The acting is not a detriment.  Mitchum, O’Brian, and Rooney dominate as none of the other soldiers register.  Chang plays an interesting female character.  The combat is above average and the deaths are not melodramatic.

                    “Ambush Bay” is a forgettable “who will survive?” behind the lines action flick.  Although the body count is predictable, it does veer away from tropes a bit.  If you remind yourself it is not a documentary and are just interested in a popcorn (Jiffy Pop would be time appropriate) picture, it will kill some time. 

GRADE  =  C+