Donovan's Reef

DONOVAN’S REEF, one of John Ford’s rare but memorable forays into comedy, is set on the South Sea island of Haleakoloha, where two navy buddies have decided to stay after World War II. Michael “Guns” Donovan and Aloysius “Boats” Gilhooley, who like to celebrate their mutual birthday every year by trying to beat the hell out of each other, are enacting the ritual in Guns’s bar, Donovan’s reef. Filmed in Kauai, Hawaii, this comedy is stoked with broad physical gags and the inspired tomfoolery of the cast. The most notable performance belongs to Wayne, who ends his long , hugely successful, and artistically triumphant collaboration with Ford on a high and suitably revelatory note, their last film together a roisterous, laugh-filled party.