The movie “First to Fight” (1967) follows the story of a decorated marine, Sgt. Jack Connell who trains new recruits for war, attempts to settle into married life, and eventually returns to the front line. Directed by Christian Nyby and written by Gene L. Coon, starring Chad Everett, Marilyn Devin, and Dean Jagger, the film provides additional insights into its creation and backstage routines.
Where it Filmed?
“First to Fight” was filmed in a variety of locations across America. The places where filming took place include the Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton, California, and the Bell Ranch in Santa Susana, California. Part of the filming was also done at the Africa U.S.A. Park in Boca Raton, Florida. The filming started on the 14th of July, 1966.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Chad Everett | Sgt. Jack Connell |
| Marilyn Devin | Peggy Sanford |
| Dean Jagger | Lt. Col. E.J. Baseman |
| Bobby Troup | Lt. Overman |
| Claude Akins | Capt. Mason |
| Gene Hackman | Sgt. Tweed |
| James Best | Gunnery Sgt. Ed Carnavan |
| Norman Alden | Sgt. Schmidtmer |
| Bobs Watson | Sgt. Maypole |
| Ken Swofford | O’Brien |
| Ray Reese | Hawkins |
| Garry Goodgion | Karl |
| Robert Austin | Adams |
| Clint Ritchie | Sgt. Slater |
| Stephen Roberts | Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Ingrid Bergman | Ilsa Lund (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Nicky Blair | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Bruce Blau | Officer (uncredited) |
| Humphrey Bogart | Self – actor in clip from ‘Casablanca’ (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| William Conrad | Narrator (uncredited) (voice) |
| Tim Donnelly | Driver (uncredited) |
| Chance Gentry | Marine (uncredited) |
| Wings Hauser | Ragan (uncredited) |
| James Johnson | Marine (uncredited) |
| Casey Kasem | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Bob Kline | Marine (uncredited) |
| Lee Kross | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Don Lloyd | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Jack Lorenz | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| John McCook | Ford (uncredited) |
| Bill McLean | Camp Pendleton Bartender (uncredited) |
| Phil Montgomery | Officer (uncredited) |
| Ralph Montgomery | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Kirk Nyby | Marine (uncredited) |
| Owen Orr | Officer (uncredited) |
| Raoul Perez | Sanchez (uncredited) |
| Basil Poledouris | Sgt. Custer (uncredited) |
| Jim Raymond | Public Relations Captain (uncredited) |
| Harry Rose | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| James Seay | Speaker at Bond Rally (uncredited) |
| Ron Stokes | Lt. Briskin – Medal of Honor Winner (uncredited) |
| George Van Wort | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Sandra Wells | Lt Overman’s date (uncredited) |
| Dooley Wilson | Self – actor in clip from ‘Casablanca’ (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
Trivia and Facts
- The lead actors Chad Everett and Claude Akins also worked together in other films like Claudelle Inglish (1961), The Dakotas : The Chooser of the Slain (1963) and Medical Center : Time of Darkness (1973).
- An inaccuracy in the film is that it takes place in the years 1942-1943, but the Camp Pendleton is shown flying the fifty-star flag, which was only introduced in 1959. The flag during the time which the film is based on would have had 48 stars.
- Another fact is that the film features scenes from the iconic film Casablanca (1942).
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, USA
- Latitude: 33.3178416
- Longitude: -117.3205123
- Place ID: ChIJd_m66aN73IARH8g1oNkLf8w
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Camp Pendleton North, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Bell Ranch, Santa Susana, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.2543253
- Longitude: -118.64311
- Place ID: ChIJUQpzgsyCwoARp0syqWIBMZA
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Bell Ranch Rd, California, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Africa U.S.A. Park, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
- Latitude: 26.3683064
- Longitude: -80.1289321
- Place ID: ChIJJ_s278Ij2YgRyZVgyu6mPtI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Boca Raton, FL, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
