Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Red Ball Express (1952)

Red Ball Express (1952) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 3 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   165 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 9% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Budd Boetticher
Writers:
Billy Grady Jr. (story)
John Michael Hayes (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Red Ball Express on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 August 1952 (Finland) more
Genre:
Drama | War more
Tagline:
FROM BEACHHEAD TO BATTLEFRONT! THEY CARRY THE AMMO FOR PATTON'S TANKS! (original print ad - all caps)
Plot:
Story of the military truck drivers who kept the Allied armies supplied in Europe during WW2. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Patton's Secret Weapon more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Jeff Chandler ... Lt. Chick Campbell
Alex Nicol ... Sgt. Red Kallek
Charles Drake ... Pvt. Ronald Partridge / Narrator
Judith Braun ... Joyce McClellan

Sidney Poitier ... Cpl. Andrew Robertson
Jacqueline Duval ... Antoinette Dubois
Bubber Johnson ... Pvt. Taffy Smith
Davis Roberts ... Pvt. Dave McCord (as Robert Davis)
Hugh O'Brian ... Pvt. Wilson
Frank Chase ... Pvt. Higgins
Cindy Garner ... Kitty Walsh
Gregg Palmer ... Tank Lieutenant (as Palmer Lee)
John Hudson ... Tank Sergeant Max
Jack Kelly ... Pvt. John Heyman
Howard Petrie ... Major General Lee Gordon
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
83 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Featured in Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That (2005) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
Patton's Secret Weapon, 19 April 2004
7/10
Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York

It's a sad commentary that before the Armed Services were integrated post World War II by President Truman, the Red Ball Express was one of the few that black American soldiers could fully participate in and that one was relatively behind the lines.

Jeff Chandler plays the steely eyed commander of this bunch of formerly civilian truck drivers now chosen as a unit to supply Patton's advancing army with needed fuel. Among the cast is a young Sidney Poitier as one of the drivers. They may have been behind the lines, but the picture clearly shows their participation in the war wasn't an easy street.

Chandler's job is to weld this disparate bunch into a unit and he succeeds despite a lot of racial tension. The cast performs admirably in this picture.

One of the great stories of World War II was the rapid advance across France of Patton's army after the breakout from the Normandy beachhead. He could have never done it without the heroic efforts of the men depicted in this movie. It was Ike's and Patton's secret weapon and this picture an admirable tribute to them.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Red Ball Express (1952)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The True Glory Patton The Longest Day The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp Kelly's Heroes
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.