IMDb > The Private War of Major Benson (1955)

The Private War of Major Benson (1955) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 2 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   400 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Joe Connelly (story)
Bob Mosher (story)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Private War of Major Benson on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 December 1955 (Finland) more
Genre:
Tagline:
They're out to bust the Major more
Plot:
A Major noted for advancing with his mouth before thinking is given a choice: to be drummed out of the Army... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
Charlton Heston vs. the kids more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charlton Heston ... Maj. Bernard R. 'Barney' Benson
Julie Adams ... Dr. Kay Lambert
William Demarest ... John
Tim Hovey ... Cadet Thomas 'Tiger' Flaherty
Nana Bryant ... Mother Redempta
Tim Considine ... Cadet Lt. Gerald Hibler

Sal Mineo ... Cadet Col. Sylvester Dusik
Milburn Stone ... Maj. Gen. Wilton J. Ramsey
Mary Field ... Sister Mary Theresa

Joey D. Vieira ... Cadet Cpl. Scawalski (as Donald Keeler)
Gary Pagett ... Cadet Lt. Molony
Mickey Little ... Cadet Lt. Hanratty
Don Haggerty ... Harold Hibler

David Janssen ... Young Lieutenant
Richard H. Cutting ... Monsignor Collins
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
105 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.00 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This movie was loosely remade in 1995 as the Damon Wayans movie, "Major Payne." more
Quotes:
Mother Redempta: Heaven moves in mysterious ways Major... Heaven and General Ramsey more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Toy Tiger more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
Charlton Heston vs. the kids, 13 April 2006
6/10
Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York

If there's one characteristic that Charlton Heston portrays well on the screen it's resolve. Whether he's Moses, Judah Ben-Hur or Major Barney Benson, he takes on an assignment and he sees it through.

Somebody at Universal got the bright idea to borrow Heston from Paramount for The Private War of Major Benson in which a professional soldier now assigned to beef up the Reserve Officer Training program at a Catholic military academy. Seems as though the Mother Superior Nana Bryant has some pull with the Pentagon as her brother Milburn Stone is a general and Heston's commanding officer.

And Heston's quite a problem for Stone. Seems as though an eager reporter got a real good sound bite from Heston while he was training troops. Stone figures this request from his sister, the Sister comes at an appropriate time to solve two problems.

Of course Heston and the kids don't really get along. The leadership skills you need to cross the Red Sea and race a chariot are a bit different than heading a boy's military school. Especially when these kids are not even into puberty as most of them aren't. Ironically he gets along best with Sal Mineo who's just entering puberty and offers him some facts of life points of view about the opposite sex. Heston has his eye on school doctor Julie Adams and is embarking on his own quest there.

It's a cute and funny movie and it ought to be since the it was written by Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher, the folks who brought you Leave It to Beaver. Think of Wally and the Beaver at military school with Charlton Heston as the commander. It's not half bad.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (20 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Private War of Major Benson (1955)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Bells of St. Mary's Angels in the Outfield Major Payne Full of Life Star Trek: The Motion Picture
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 Comedy 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.