IMDb > The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960)

The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   714 votes
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Director:
Richard Murphy
Writers:
Herbert Carlson (story)
Herbert H. Margolis (story)
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Contact:
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Release Date:
29 December 1960 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | War more
Tagline:
RiCKY NELSON Your No. 1 Singing Star hits the high C's in...The WACKiEST SHiP in the ARMY more
Plot:
Lieutenant Rip Crandall is hoodwinked into taking command of the "Wackiest Ship in the Navy" - a real... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Somewhere in the South Pacific more (14 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Jack Lemmon ... Lt. Rip Crandall

Ricky Nelson ... Ens. Tommy J. Hanson
John Lund ... Lt. Cmdr. Wilbur F. Vandewater
Chips Rafferty ... Patterson (coast watcher)
Tom Tully ... Capt. McClung
Joby Baker ... Josh Davidson
Warren Berlinger ... Radioman 2nd Class A.J. 'Sparks' Sparks
Patricia Driscoll ... Maggie
Mike Kellin ... Chief Mate Jack MacCarthy

Richard Anderson ... Lt. Dennis M. Foster
Alvy Moore ... Seaman J. Johnson (cook)

Joseph Gallison ... 'Cameo' (USS Echo crewman)
Teru Shimada ... Maj. Samada
George Shibata ... Capt. Shigetsu
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dale Ishimoto ... Japanese pilot
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
99 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastman Color)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Australia:G | USA:Approved (certificate #19722) | UK:U | Finland:K-8
Filming Locations:
Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA more
Company:
Columbia Pictures Corporation more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The movie is loosely based upon an actual commissioned Navy ship, the USS Echo (IX-95). As in the movie, the Echo was a scow loaned to the Navy from New Zealand in 1942, but was used for carrying cargo and supplies to Army bases in the South Pacific, earning her an Army commendation. She was decommissioned in 1944 and can be seen in Picton New Zealand as a museum. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The Air Force did not come into being until 1948. During WWII it was a part of the Army and was called the Army Air Corp. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in My Fellow Americans (1996) more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
Somewhere in the South Pacific, 28 July 2008
4/10
Author: wesconnorsehny from Earth

Classic example of a film that looked better on paper. "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" begins by failing as it was obviously promoted; to be brief, it isn't very "wacky". With the comedy ship sinking, the film becomes more dramatic; and, much more enjoyable. Jack Lemmon (as Rip Crandall), an expert at comedy-drama, tries his best. Ricky Nelson (as Tommy Hanson), an expert at quip delivery, is given almost nothing to do. Promoted as a "team", Mr. Lemmon and Mr. Nelson have no chemistry; and, to be fair, are given no discernible direction to that end.

Nelson sings one song, "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?" Although sweet, it isn't one of his better, or representative, songs; but, it did fit the film's World War II setting. The scene with Lemmon accompanying Nelson's singing, on piano, is interesting. Lemmon tickles the ivories, clearly uncomfortable in a "Bob Hope" role, while Nelson sings to the recording as if it were an "Ozzie and Harriet" TV bonus song. Still, the stars, supporting cast, and colorful photography (by Charles Lawton Jr.) are never less than pleasant.

**** The Wackiest Ship in the Army (12/29/60) Richard Murphy ~ Jack Lemmon, Ricky Nelson, Richard Anderson

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