Mister Roberts
1955  NR  COMEDY-DRAMA  2h 3min
CAST— Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon
MUSIC— Franz Waxman  DIRECTORS— John Ford, Melvyn LeRoy, Joshua Logan  BASED ON— Mister Roberts (novel), by Thomas Heggan

     Sometimes engrossing, sometimes irritating wartime dramedy that deals with loyalty, liberty and palm trees. Henry Fonda plays the Executive Officer of a Naval cargo ship; this ship’s crew is who combat soldiers are to thank for toothpaste and toilet paper (a truly important assignment, to be sure). The crew is an amicable bunch, but they’ve been cooped up on this ship without any recreational shore leave for over a year. The crew rely upon Fonda to represent them to the bull-headed Captain (James Cagney), who seemingly lives to give his underlings grief. Fonda and Cagney butt heads throughout, Fonda always sticking up for others, even to his detriment. Fonda proves time and again that communication is needed in order for higher-ups to earn respect. The film’s greatest achievement is its dramatic delivery, which completely trumps its humorous themes, which more often than not are comprised of nothing but a bunch of randy sailors drooling over anything in a skirt. The drama is at its peak during the finale, so stay tuned. Mediocre, otherwise. Later developed into a television series. Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actor (Jack Lemmon). William Powell’s final film.
OUR RATING— ** ½
FOLLOWED BY— Ensign Pulver (1964)
REMADE AS— Mister Roberts (1984)