The movie, The Fighting Sullivans, is the true story of the Sullivan family who grew up in Waterloo, Iowa on the eve of World War II.  The film begins with the boys' Irish upbringing which included events like fishing, sailing in an old boat or slinding down the bannister together.  The boys and their sister developed a rare and inseparable bond in childhood that lasted into adulthood.  When Pearl Harbor is attacked on December 7, 1941 the boys are incensed and decide to join the Navy.  They have just one stipulation and that was that they must serve together.  After petitioning the Naval Departemnt in Washington D.C., they are finally allowed to join and after basic training join other sailors on the light cruiser U.S.S. Juneau which soon sets sail for the South Pacific.  Tragically, the U.S.S. Juneau is hit by a Imperial Japanese Navy torpedo off the coast of Guadalcanal in November, 1942 and soon sinks.  While four of the Sullivan boys could have escaped, they instead decide to go to the ship's sick-bay below decks to rescue their injured brother when without warning the ship's magazine explodes sending them all to a watery grave.  As the film ends, the Sullivan boys' mother, father and sister attend the launching and commisioning of the U.S.S. The Sullivans which has the distinction of being the only United States Naval ship named for more than one person.  The Sullivan brothers story was the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's later movie "Saving Private Ryan".  This is an outstanding movie and is highly recommended.  Starring Thomas Mitchell, Ann Baxter and Ward Bond among others.  Full screen in black and white.  Released in 1942.  Runtime 110 minutes.