the enemy below movie

swash · 04-19-07, 12:00 AM

Hope this is the best place to post this.

I have a coworker that plays SH3 and we talk about subs and stuff.

He asked me a question about the 1957 movie "the Enemy Below" and why the U-boat captain always puts on his gloves before touching the periscope.:hmm:

My first thought was it being cold, I don't recall the movie much at the moment, but he said the crew was sweating so it was obviously hot in the sub.

He thinks it's because of a static shock touching the metal when the scope is in the water, but I disagree because I never see every commander wearing gloves in pictures from WW2.

I also thought maybe it was just a Hollywood thing like an assasin putting on gloves before picking up a rifle, or just because he didn't want to get his hands dirty touching the thing (compulsive disorder).

Thoughts, suggestions, ideas? We looked on the web and found the same suggestions. Hollywood flair, cold handles, assasin mode, static, etc, etc.

Someone mentioned in a movie post that it was because a lot of ship fittings were made of brass and the gloves prevented getting them grimey with use over time.

I used to work in a cutlery shop and I know how hard it can be to get fingerprints off the brass handles and keeping them clean.

Kapitan_Phillips · 04-19-07, 10:49 AM

It might've been a ritual - something the commander did to inspire his crew. Maybe putting on the gloves tells them he's going into 'professional mode' and will perform to the best of his abilities. I'll have to see the movie to tell you anything more about it.

Sailor Steve · 04-19-07, 11:22 AM

I've seen it many times, and I never noticed that he did that.

Obviously I don't know the answer, but I'd go with "Hollywood thing".

swash · 04-19-07, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking a theatrical thing too, but I found a cheap DvD on ebay and ordered it. I haven't seen the movie in years, decades actually

TLAM Strike · 04-23-07, 12:28 PM

Is the periscope tube lubrcated in some way? Didin't he touch it at some point to help it on its way up? Maybe thats why he put on the gloves.

Of course I'm probaly totaly wrong...

Platapus · 04-23-07, 07:47 PM

Yes he did grab the tube of the periscope and "help" it up. I don't know why he would do this as the periscope itself is far too heavy to lift by one person

Monica Lewinsky · 04-23-07, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swash

why the U-boat captain always puts on his gloves before touching the periscope.

Aids virus as a precaution? Be safe, rather than sorry?

04-19-07, 12:00 AM	#1
swash Sailor man Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 46 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	the enemy below movie Hope this is the best place to post this. I have a coworker that plays SH3 and we talk about subs and stuff. He asked me a question about the 1957 movie "the Enemy Below" and why the U-boat captain always puts on his gloves before touching the periscope.:hmm: My first thought was it being cold, I don't recall the movie much at the moment, but he said the crew was sweating so it was obviously hot in the sub. He thinks it's because of a static shock touching the metal when the scope is in the water, but I disagree because I never see every commander wearing gloves in pictures from WW2. I also thought maybe it was just a Hollywood thing like an assasin putting on gloves before picking up a rifle, or just because he didn't want to get his hands dirty touching the thing (compulsive disorder). Thoughts, suggestions, ideas? We looked on the web and found the same suggestions. Hollywood flair, cold handles, assasin mode, static, etc, etc. Someone mentioned in a movie post that it was because a lot of ship fittings were made of brass and the gloves prevented getting them grimey with use over time. I used to work in a cutlery shop and I know how hard it can be to get fingerprints off the brass handles and keeping them clean.

04-19-07, 10:49 AM	#2
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	It might've been a ritual - something the commander did to inspire his crew. Maybe putting on the gloves tells them he's going into 'professional mode' and will perform to the best of his abilities. I'll have to see the movie to tell you anything more about it. __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

04-19-07, 11:22 AM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I've seen it many times, and I never noticed that he did that. Obviously I don't know the answer, but I'd go with "Hollywood thing". __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-23-07, 12:28 PM	#5
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	Is the periscope tube lubrcated in some way? Didin't he touch it at some point to help it on its way up? Maybe thats why he put on the gloves. Of course I'm probaly totaly wrong... __________________

04-19-07, 09:02 PM	#4
swash Sailor man Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 46 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking a theatrical thing too, but I found a cheap DvD on ebay and ordered it. I haven't seen the movie in years, decades actually

04-23-07, 07:47 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,365 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Yes he did grab the tube of the periscope and "help" it up. I don't know why he would do this as the periscope itself is far too heavy to lift by one person