"Navy Wives"
"Navy Wives"
The US Navy presents: "This is the story of a group of people who are not in the navy, yet play a key role in the well-being and careers of Navy personnel. It is the story of people who face the sorrows and joys of Navy life, its frequent partings... and its reunions; the trials of homemaking in ever-changing locations; the tribulation of often having to face problems alone. It is the story of a group of people whose dedication, loyalty, and understanding are a constant source if inspiration to the men of the fleet... it is the story of... Navy Wives." Opening montage of a Navy carrier returning to a San Diego port, and the celebration which ensues: MS's of mothers (wives) and children waiting on dock for the sailors to descend; MS's of sailors walking down a plank; MS's and tight LS's of sailors hugging and kissing their wives, girlfriends and/or mothers; CU of two kids sleeping in a stroller; MS of a marching band member playing a bass drum; high angle MS of 2 baton twirlers and a cute little boy emulating them with an invisible baton of his own. MS of our story's hero, Fred, waiting at a train station for his new wife, Anne, to arrive; they meet and hug and kiss. MS and tight LS of Fred and Anne walking to the front steps of their new rental; they are greeted by their landlady. Cut to MS's of Fred and Anne walking along the shore, Fred pointing to various naval vessels, saluting officers as they pass. Montage of Navy Wives boarding a cruiser for a show and tell excursion: MS of a line of well-groomed women passing the unrelenting stare of a sailor standing at attention; tight LS's of the cruiser's big guns firing as women watch on (they are sailing, incidentally); good CU of a woman with her fingers in her ears. MS of Anne moving into their new home, putting books on a shelf, placing a funny portrait of Fred on a TV stand-- Fred's been shipped to Korea. Cut to a Navy operations montage, assisted by Anne's ever present, ever chipper narration: tight LS's of a vessel'd big guns firing, jets taking off from carriers, downed pilots in sea being rescued by helicopters. Cut to great MS of Anne opening the front door of her home, greeting several fellow navy wives who have come bearing cookies and coffee; CU's of them talking happily. Montage, "finding the pattern of Navy life": good shots of navy wives sewing, writing letters, hanging laundry, going to the commissary, going to the interdenominational church, going to the movie theater, etc. Cut to another homecoming montage. Cut to a "taking advantage of recreational facilities" montage: MS of Anne bowling (CU of her ball striking the pins); MS of people at play on a beach; tight LS of a foursome playing tennis. MS of Fred seated at a desk in their home, smoking a cigarette and studying for a petty officer's exam; Anne is sewing in the BG until she notices his frustration so she stops and brings him a cup of coffee, then tests his knowledge. CU of Anne sewing petty officer stripes onto Fred's uniform; dooly out to MS of Fred trying the shirt on. MS of Anne cooking bacon and eggs at a stove in their small kitchen; she turns, places breakfast before an all too eager Fred; CU of Fred shoveling the meal into his mouth, eventually noticing Anne's not feeling well-- that's right, kiddies, she's got morning sickness; CU's and MS's of their breakfast table joy. Operation: Deep Freeze montage: Fred gets shipped to Antarctica so MS;s and tight LS's a crusier sailing slowly through icy waters; a scientific way station atop an ice floe tundra. Cut to a late-night phone call montage as Fred makes a necessary three-way call to Anne; MS's of ham radio operators and Fred talking into the mic; MS of Anne sound asleep in bed, getting up, answering phone... this whole section just seems odd. MS's of Fred playing with his son near the front steps of their home. MS of Anne hanging whites to dry. Tight LS's of Fred, Anne and son buying their first home. MS's of a Navy Wives meeting, followed by a montageof the club's activities: going to the beach, visiting the San Diego Zoo, having a clothes drive, boarding a bus, etc. MS of the son sitting on the grass and crying; Anne rushes into frame to attend to him; MS of the son on a stretcher being wheeled into a hospital examining room, Anne at his side. MS of her shaking her head nervously. Tight LS of Anne and son (wearing an obtrusive head bandage) walking hand-in-hand from the hospital after being discharged. MS of Anne cleaning their home. Montage of navy activities on the high seas. Montage of more specific tourist activities and attractions in Hawaii, Japan, Europe and South America as Fred and Anne deliberate their future in the Navy.