Mister Roberts (1955)

Comedy-drama about life on a not particularly important ship of the US Navy during WW2.

Directors:

John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Frank S. Nugent (screenplay), Joshua Logan (screenplay),

Stars:

Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Henry Fonda	...	Lt. JG Douglas A. 'Doug' Roberts
James Cagney	...	Capt. Morton
William Powell	...	Lt. 'Doc'
Jack Lemmon	...	Ens. Frank Thurlowe Pulver
Betsy Palmer	...	Lt. Ann Girard
Ward Bond	...	Chief Petty Officer Dowdy
Philip Carey	...	Mannion (as Phil Carey)
Nick Adams	...	Reber
Perry Lopez	...	Rodrigues
Ken Curtis	...	Yeoman 3rd Class Dolan
Robert Roark	...	Insigna
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Stefanowski
Patrick Wayne	...	Bookser (as Pat Wayne)
Frank Aletter	...	Gerhart
Tige Andrews	...	Wiley (as Tiger Andrews)

Storyline

Mister Roberts is aboard a US cargo ship, working in the Pacific during the Second World War. He'd do anything to leave the quiet of the ship to join in the "action". Trouble is, the captain of the ship, is a bit of a tyrant, and isn't willing to sign Roberts' transfer requests. Also on board is Ensign Pulver, who avoids work as best he can, whilst living off the riches of his buying and selling. Roberts and the crew are in constant battle, even over the smallest of disagreements.

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Plot Keywords:

shore leave | u.s. navy | south pacific | navy | tyrant | 

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Taglines:

All the Uproarious Fun of the Smash Broadway Play!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1955 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Keine Zeit für Heldentum

Filming Locations:

Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$21,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Orange

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Warnercolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tige Andrews was a member of the original Broadway cast as a member of the ensemble (not as "Wiley," his role in the film). Besides Fonda, he is the only actor who appeared in both the Broadway and film casts.

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Goofs

When Roberts is talking to the sailors inside after his confrontation with the Captain about his letter requesting a transfer, all the sweat stains on his shirt have disappeared.

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Quotes

Chief Petty Officer Dowdy: [Referring to the letter from Forney] Could I have that, I'd like to post it for the crew.
Lt. 'Doc': [Referring to the letter from Roberts] No, post this one. It's theirs.

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Connections

Referenced in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to John Ford (1973)

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Soundtracks

"IF I COULD BE WITH YOU ONE HOUR TONIGHT"
Music by James P. Johnson
Words by Henry Creamer
Published by Warner Bros. Inc. (ASCAP)
Performed (whistled) by Jack Lemmon (uncredited)

User Reviews

One of the best films of the 50s

Mister Roberts (1955) - CO-Directors: John Ford & Mervyn LeRoy Enough time had passed that Americans were able to laugh at some of the kookier aspects about military life and Hollywood provided just the right amount of seriousness and irreverence with this 1955 hit.

Henry Fonda gave one of his career making performances in this film as a lieutenant in the Navy who feels that the action of the war is passing him by. Instead of fighting the enemy, he's engaged in a battle of wills with off kilter superior officer James Cagney, who also turns in one of his mythic-making performances. The great William Powell is on board in one of his last roles as the friendly on board doctor. The late Jack Lemmon won an Academy Award for his supporting role of Ensign Pulver, a man who finally straightens his spine and takes macho Cagney on mano-a-mano. (Color)