Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's screen presentation of Lieutenant Ted Lawson's bestseller, "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," is a sincere and restrained record of heroism in this war. Director Mervyn LeRoy wisely lets the dramatic quality of Major General Doolittle's remarkable feat develop naturally, unmarred by overdone Hollywood heroics.

Beginning easily and swiftly, the motion picture builds up terrific tension. The film version of the actual raid is a superb bit of realistic and powerful drama. The action after the bombing is unavoidably anti-climactic, but the crashed fliers' struggle to evade the Japanese, and Lawson's fight to live and return to his wife give the account fullness, and make war an intensely personal business.

General Doolittle's role is short to offer more than a glimpse of Spencer Tracy. Lieutenant Lawson is the central figure of the story; as Lawson, Van Johnson proves that in addition to having a deceptively easy manner, this gentleman can really act. Phyllis Thaxter, a relatively new lady of the screen, delivers a genuinely convincing performance in the part of Lawson's young wife. Lawson's tail-gunner, Robert Walker, again portrays Robert Walker and again well.

"Thirty Seconds over Tokyo" is a satisfying motion picture--a forthright and inspiring account of courageous men and high adventure.